Two days passed like the countdown to an execution.
Isabella didn't see Rafael again till his guards came to pick her up.She was droved to the estate and moved into a private suite within the Navarro compound....it was massive, cold, and far too beautiful.....more than anything she has ever seen. Servants brought her food but she didn't touch it.Dresses were delivered in silent intervals for fittings. Selena, the maid assigned to her, didn't speak unless spoken to.
But every time Isabella looked in the mirror, she saw her fate getting closer. A stranger wearing her skin. A woman about to marry the Devil.
No church. No flowers. No music. Just a high-security courthouse in the city center. Rafael arrived in a black suit, sharp enough to kill. Isabella wore ivory chosen by someone else, fitted by someone else. She hadn't looked in the mirror since it was zipped.
He didn't speak to her. He didn't offer his hand.
The judge, already paid and briefed, read through the motions like he was swearing in a killer. Rafael signed first, eyes never leaving hers. She hesitated with the pen.
Rafael leaned in.
"You hesitate now, and he dies."
Her fingers clenched around the pen. She signed.
It was done.
She was married to this cold man who doesn't care whether her father dies or not unless he gets what he wants.
Outside Cassimo's Estate.....
The black Navarro car pulled up outside the heavy iron gates. Isabella sat inside, silent, her ring cold against her skin.
The gates opened with a metallic groan. Several armed guards stepped out first.
Then came Gavin.
He was pushed forward by Cassimo's men limping, bruised, his shirt torn, dried blood caked at the corner of his mouth. But he was alive.
"Papa!" Isabella cried, throwing open the door and running toward him. She collapsed into his arms.
Gavin held her tightly, his voice raw. "Isa.… what did you do?"
She looked up at him with tears streaming. "You're safe. That's all that matters."
He held her back, taking in the dress, the makeup, the ring on her finger. His expression darkened.
"This dress… these men… that ring… you didn't… tell me you didn't do what I think you did."
She hesitated. Her silence said everything.
His face crumpled. "You should've let me die in there. Making an alliance with El Diablo? You don't know what you've done, Isa. You've chained yourself to the executioner."
Before she could answer, another figure appeared at the gates.
It was Cassimo.
Dressed in white, rings on every finger, with a cane tipped in silver. He watched the reunion with a wolf's grin.
Rafael stepped out of the car, his expression unreadable.
"I appreciate the delivery," Rafael said, his tone sharp but civil. "And the price I paid."
Cassimo raised an eyebrow. "It's always business with you, Navarro. You pay, you get. But don't think this makes us allies."
Rafael smirked. "Of course not. Our enmity is the only honest thing we've ever had."
Cassimo chuckled. "Keep your bride close. You've just painted a new target on her back."
With a nod to his men, Cassimo turned and disappeared back into his mansion.
Rafael glanced at Isabella and Gavin. "Enough. In the car."
Isabella kissed her father's cheek once more." I'd come see you papa...take care of yourself" she said then let the guards lead Gavin to safety.
She climbed back into the car. The door shut.
The silence returned.
The drive back was silent. Rafael didn't look at her. Isabella sat with her hands in her lap, tears still flowing down her eyes and fingers fidgeting with her ring like it was a shackle.
When they arrived, servants greeted them at the door. Rafael didn't say anything but disappeared without a word.
Selena appeared at her side,the maid that was specially assigned to her.
"Come.... señora You need to eat. You need to prepare."
Isabella followed like a ghost waiting her inevitable fate.
She was led to a dining room. Crystal chandeliers. Plates she couldn't name. Food she couldn't eat. Everything felt like a test.
After the meal, she was taken to a bath filled with rose water and steam. The marble tub was large enough to drown in. She almost wanted to.
When she stepped out, towels were waiting. And so was Selena with a box in her hands.
"What's that?" Isabella asked.
Selena set it down. Opened it. White lace shimmered inside.
"Wear this."
Isabella stared. "No. Absolutely not."
"It's not a request,it's a command from El Diablo."
"I don't care. I'm not wearing that."
Selena's expression didn't change. But her voice dropped low, almost a whisper.
"If you walk into his room without this, he'll kill you.He doesn't ask. He takes."
"Then let him. I'm not putting that on."
"Do you want to make things worse for yourself.....Isabella?"
Isabella's lip quivered. Her hands shook. Slowly, she reached out and took the lingerie.
Selena turned to leave. At the door, she paused.
"You think you're in pain now. But you haven't met his real side yet."
The Devil's Room....
The bedroom was like stone walls, deep shadows, and a massive bed draped in blood-red sheets. Rafael stood by the window, shirtless, glass of scotch in hand.
He turned when the door opened.
Selena stepped in with Isabella behind her, then left without a word.
Isabella stood there, arms crossed over her chest, barely covered in lace.
Rafael's eyes roamed her body slowly. No hunger. Just ownership.
"Come to the bed."
She didn't move.
"I said..."
"No." She interrupted
His face didn't change. But something sharp flickered in his eyes.
He crossed the room. Stood inches from her.
"You belong to me. That means you don't say no."
She looked up at him. "You already have my signature in the paper. You don't need to break me."
He tilted her chin up. "But I enjoy it."
With one sharp motion, he seized her shoulder and ripped the lingerie clean down the middle. The fabric snapped, falling to the floor in ribbons.
"Pls....." Isabella gasped. Cold air hit her bare skin. Her arms went to cover herself, but he shoved them away.
He stared long, hard, assessing her body. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her entire body trembled under his gaze.
Then he undid his belt, letting his pants fall to his hips. Isabella's eyes dropped.
She recoiled. Her breath caught in her throat. "Oh my God..."
He was thick. Heavy. Brutal in size. She took a step back, instinctively.
"No please..."
He didn't answer. He grabbed her by the waist and flung her onto the bed like a piece of sandwich. She hit the mattress with a gasp.
He climbed on top of her. Pinned her wrists with one hand. Forced her thighs apart with the other.
"Stop! You'll hurt me..... I've never..."
He pushed inside without mercy interrupting her.
A scream tore from her throat. Her back arched off the bed. The pain was blinding,tearing, burning, overwhelming.
He didn't slow. He didn't speak. His jaw was tight, his face unreadable. There was no moan, no release of emotion,only movement, cold,hard and relentless.
Her body struggled to adjust, but he kept going, harder, deeper, until her cries were hoarse and broken.
She clawed at the sheets, sobbing. He gave nothing back.
And when he finally finished, he pulled away wordlessly, stood, and walked into the bathroom like she was nothing more than a task completed.
The door shut behind him.
And Isabella lay shattered on red sheets crying, her body aching, her soul hollow.
Her new life had just begun in the house of a devil.