Chapter 1

Isabella’s POV “And that is not possible!” I shouted as more tears fell down my eyes. I took a step back while he sighed. His tall body towered even if he was far away, and I felt my five feet and six inches to be extremely small. “How many times do I have to remind you that I can make everything possible? If only you—” “If only I what? Follow your orders?” I said, my voice laced with malice. He raised his eyebrow and nodded. “Pretty much.” “No. No. I—I don’t even know you anymore. This—This was not what I thought you were! You’re not who I fell in love with!” The smile on Achilles’ face didn’t fade. The satisfied look on that handsome masterpiece made my hair rise and skin crawl. “Well, I think you better buckle up, sweetheart, because right now, I am here.” He looked around and came closer. “And I am, in fact, the one and the only person you get to love.” I closed my eyes and felt his hot breath fanning over my face. It wasn’t long before his lips connected with mine. My imagination grew wild, my lips felt wet and my hands couldn’t help but go to his silky hair. I kissed him back—as every other fucking time. No matter how much I regretted it later, no matter how wrong it was. He knew he had complete control over me. And. He. Used. That. Against. Me. Every. Fucking. Time. _________________ On a normal day, he would be out with his girlfriend, Anna. She was a redhead with blue eyes and porcelain skin. She was taller—5 feet and 8 inches. Of course, she was extremely beautiful and talented, too—making everyone in the family love her. If only they knew about Achilles and his plans, they would keep me miles away from him. Not that I wasn’t worthy. But it would be extremely defaming for him to get into a relationship with his step-sister. And my stepdad, Mr. Roman—as I call him, would care about nothing if it came to the fame of the Roman Family. I would also have a normal life with a normal boyfriend if it wasn’t for his over-possessive nature. It was unfair, and it was completely wrong. I didn’t even know what my life was and what it was going to be when he stepped into it. Everything he did with me, to me, and for me, was completely wrong. Still, he felt to be the only right thing in my life. Was it love? Or just some kind of plain, creepy obsession? _______________ ______________________ EXCERPT BEFORE BOOK STARTS: "Oh, the noble Isabella returns! Whatever your ulterior motive is, if it involves hurting him in any way or form, I swear to God I will—" "What? Another death threat?" I interjected, my frustration bubbling up. He stared at me defiantly, his anger barely contained. "What's happened to you, Carlos? I get it. You hate me. I messed up. But this is not who you are, okay? You're–God, you're the sweetest person I know. You don't have to… you don't have to turn into this person who – who I don't recognize at all." He clenched his jaw, his gaze unwavering. "You're the one forcing me, Isabelle!" His voice cracked, a mixture of rage and anguish. "You've given me no choice!" My heart ached as I looked at him. "Don't talk to me, it's okay," I said softly, my voice almost a whisper. "But please, stop hating me so much that you forget who you are. Please. What do you think will happen when Achilles comes to know that – that you threatened to kill me?" "I don't care what happens!" His words came out sharply, his frustration palpable. "I can't see you hurting him anymore!" My resolve solidified, and I stepped closer to him, my eyes pleading. "So don't do things that will hurt Achilles again. Don't let hatred change you." "You know, Isabelle, I—I used to be…" He trailed off, his voice tinged with regret. "I used to be the one who'd always work for you two to be together. I used to ask him to be a better person to you. And now… now you've proved me so wrong. What you do, and what you did, Isabelle… I'm—I'm responsible too." Tears welled in my eyes as I shook my head. "No, you're not! I know I am and I bear full responsibility. It was my fault and even if everything becomes normal, it will always… always be a burden I'll bear, but not you.” “He used to be so happy,” He said as he looked away. “Most of the time, he’d just laugh and smile. Do his work. Play around but since you came into his life, you—you’ve done something and now look at where he is,” He looked toward the ward as he continued. “That guy laying there in the ward after his suicide attempt was at the top of the world an year ago with nothing wrong in his life.” I just looked down, unsure of what I should say. “And I helped you do that to him. I should have known from the start that you—you weren’t good for him. But instead, I pushed him enough and now he’s in love with someone who can’t stop hurting him.” “No—no, you didn’t do anything,” I whispered as he looked back at me, ignoring his hurtful words. “You're the best friend anyone can ever ask for. Even I know that!" He scoffed, his emotions a turbulent storm. "I don't know, Isabelle. It seems like I am cursed." My heart ached for him as he struggled with his own pain. "What are you even talking about…" He looked at me, his eyes haunted, and shook his head. "You'll know soon enough." "What?" I pressed, my concern deepening. He turned away from me, his steps heavy as he walked past me. "For his sake, let's pretend," he said, his voice softer now. "But Isabelle, you've taught me hate, and that's something nothing can ever wash over." I looked up as he walked away.