Chapter 8

Luckily, the elevator doors opened just in time. I rushed in and frantically hit the close button, desperate to get out of there. With things blowing up like that, there was no way I was driving the car he gave me. Once outside, I tossed the keys onto the hood and flagged down a cab. "Where to?" the driver asked casually. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Gracehill Cemetery." The car sped through the city. Just as we pulled up at the cemetery entrance, my phone rang. My expression instantly turned cold. “Dad?” A deep male voice came through the speaker, full of energy. "Isabella, it's been a while since you came home. Since you're free today, why not swing by? Let’s have a little family get-together. I also have something to discuss with you." I pressed my lips together, already used to my father’s routines. After a moment of hesitation, I agreed. "Okay." After getting out of the cab, I walked barefoot past rows of graves, each one still and silent, until I stopped at one particular headstone. I looked at the headstone, zoning out for a moment, then gave a faint smile. “Mom, I came to see you.” I sat down in front of the grave, brushing the dust from the carved letters. Her name was still so familiar. My eyes stung. "Sorry I took so long to come. Are you mad at me?" I whispered. "Please don’t be. I promise I’ll visit more often now." "I’m so sorry, Mom… I should’ve listened to you. Marrying Ronald was such a mistake. I regret it so much, more than I can even say..." My voice cracked as I choked out the words. “I messed up, Mom… I really did…” A year ago, when I agreed to marry into the Wright family for a business alliance, Mom was the only one who said no. She tried everything to stop me, begging me not to marry a man who didn’t love me. She said a woman would never find happiness living like that—all that waited ahead was a lifetime of pain. She told me she’d given everything to raise me, that all she wanted was for me to live a safe, happy life. She warned me not to end up like her. But I was stubborn. Love clouded my judgment, and I threw all her warnings aside, convinced I’d be happy—only to fall hard on my face. Now I get it. Being with a man who doesn’t love you? Yeah, that's living hell. I poured my heart out to her, all the pain and confusion from this life and the last. It felt like a huge weight lifted from my chest. But just as I started to feel more at ease, a sudden sound behind me made me turn around in alarm. A man in a wheelchair sat not far off, silently watching. He wore a casual shirt. His skin had the roughness of someone who’s seen tough days, and a faint stubble shadowed his face, but his features were still striking—he had that rugged, mature kind of charm. But his eyes... his eyes were tired, like someone who’d been through a lot. And now, they were locked on me, red-rimmed and intense. As soon as I saw his face clearly, I froze, completely stunned. That evening, I went back to my father’s house. The table was already set, and the smell of food filled the air. When I looked up, I saw three people happily chatting around the table. There was my dad, Thomas Carter—heavyset, grinning from ear to ear. On his left sat Olivia Harrison, my mom’s sister, dressed to impress with her designer outfit and sparkly jewelry. And on his right, a petite girl with delicate features in a short skirt—Sophia. Together, they looked like the perfect little happy family, chatting away without a care. The moment Thomas spotted me, he waved me over enthusiastically. "Isabella! You’re finally here. Why are you just standing there? Your aunt and cousin came all this way to see you. Come on, join us—we were just about to eat." “Oh dear, miss, where are your shoes? Did you hurt your foot?” The housekeeper, Sarah Wilson, hurried over and flung open the shoe cabinet. “Hold on, I’ll get you a pair of slippers.” I gave a bitter smile. Even Sarah noticed I was barefoot and asked if I was okay. But my dad? He was too busy pouring someone a drink. It wasn’t until Sarah spoke up that anyone realized something was off. Sophia’s eyes went wide the moment she turned to look, and then she let out a half-laugh, sounding way too amused. “Oh wow, what happened to you? Not even a piece of jewelry? And now no shoes? You're looking a bit too... tragic today. “Seriously, you look like someone who just got tossed out of their own home. “Don’t tell me you and Ronnie fought again? Isa, let me give you a little advice—being able to marry into the Wright family is a huge win. Try not to act all spoiled, okay? Just... suck it up.” Last time around, I put up with all this for the sake of “family.” Not anymore. I walked over calmly and took a seat, my tone icy. “Ronald’s my husband. Maybe stop acting like he’s yours. “And trying to step into my shoes, Sophia? Don’t you think it’s a bit much? Or are you trying to take my place?” That hit her like a slap. Sophia’s smile froze, and then her eyes got all red like she was about to cry. She turned to complain like a poor little victim. “Uncle Thomas, how could she say that about me? I only said it for her own good. If someone else hears this, it’ll ruin my reputation.” My dad’s face darkened instantly, and my aunt Olivia—who definitely isn’t as sweet as she pretends to be—stood up like she was gonna play peacekeeper. “Come on, Sophia, even if Bella messed up and Ronald kicked her out, you shouldn’t rub it in. You two are cousins. Act like it. Say sorry to her.” She said it while sneaking glances at my dad, clearly stirring the pot instead of actually trying to smooth things over. I just watched coldly, a mocking smile tugging at my lips. Back then, I was too blind to see through her act. Took me years to find out Sophia wasn’t my cousin—she was my half-sister. And that aunt of mine? A homewrecker who waltzed right in and stole my mom’s place in our family. My mother, in their eyes, was nothing but a joke. I was so furious, I used Ronald during our messy fights to drain my father’s company dry, and ended up ruining it completely. After the collapse, that heartless mother-daughter duo vanished into thin air without a second thought. I didn’t have the means to deal with them in my last life. But this time? I’m not letting them get away. Of course Sophia refused to say sorry. “She insulted me, and now I have to apologize?” Thomas slammed his fork down and stared at me with frustration. “You’re the older one. That’s how you talk to your little cousin? Didn’t you learn anything at school?” Sophia gave a smug little snort and smirked at me like she’d just won. I didn’t respond. Deep down, I knew I was always the outsider in this house. Thomas's glare went colder. “So? Did you really fight with Ronald?” “Nope,” I replied casually while picking up a piece of fish. He instantly relaxed like he’d just let out a breath he’d been holding. Even the flab on his cheeks seemed to jiggle in relief. “Your aunt and Sophia are right, you know. With what we’ve got here, marrying into the Wright family was a stroke of luck. You better appreciate it. “Where we are now? All thanks to Ronald giving us face. “You’d better stop acting spoiled. Make him happy, keep him on your side—whatever you want will come easy then. “Right now, the company’s got a deal stuck ‘cause we’re short on cash. You’ve got to sweet-talk him into covering it, got it?