Chapter 7: The Plan Behind the Wedding
Nathan read the document three times.
He kept hoping the words would change.
They didn’t.
I watched the man I loved discover that his own mother had been keeping secrets from him for years.
“What does ‘proceed after the wedding ceremony’ mean?””
I asked quietly.
Nathan shook his head.
“I don’t know.””
But he did know one thing.
The wedding wasn’t only a wedding.
Someone had planned something around it.
Something involving him.
And Isabella.
We spent the morning searching.
Every document.
Every email.
Every message.
Finally, we found one from Victor.
It was short.
“Once the marriage is finalized, the transfer can proceed without complications.””
Nathan stared.
“Marriage?””
My heart sank.
“They were using the wedding.””
“For what?””
We didn’t know.
Not yet.
Nathan called Victor.
He answered immediately.
Almost like he expected it.
“Nathan.””
The confidence in his voice was unsettling.
“You finally found out.””
Nathan gripped the phone.
“What were you planning?””
Victor laughed softly.
“Planning?””
“Don’t play games.””
A pause.
Then:
“Your mother was trying to secure your future.””
“My future?””
“Yes.””
Nathan looked at me.
“She was going to force me into something.””
Victor continued.
“Your mother knew you wouldn’t agree if she asked.””
Nathan’s face darkened.
“So she planned around me.””
“She loved you.””
“No.””
His voice became colder.
“She controlled me.””
Victor sighed.
“You’re emotional.””
Nathan ended the call.
For several minutes, he just stood there.
Then he said:
“I need answers from my mother.””
When Isabella arrived, she already looked like she knew why.
“You found it.””
Nathan held up the documents.
“You lied to me.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I was trying to protect you.””
“That word doesn’t mean anything anymore.””
She sat down.
“I made mistakes.””
“You made choices.””
“Yes.””
The honesty surprised both of us.
Isabella looked exhausted.
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of losing you.””
Nathan stared.
“You thought controlling my life would stop that?””
She looked away.
“After your father died, I promised myself I would never let anyone hurt you.””
“But you became the person hurting me.””
She closed her eyes.
That sentence destroyed her.
“I know.””
The room went quiet.
Then she told us everything.
After Nathan’s father died, the company had struggled.
Victor offered help.
But his help came with conditions.
Years later, Victor discovered a legal loophole.
A way to regain control of certain assets.
The only way to prevent it was for Nathan to approve a partnership agreement.
And Victor knew Nathan would refuse.
So Isabella thought of another way.
She planned to introduce Victor after the wedding.
After Nathan was legally tied to me.
Because she believed I would convince him.
I stared at her.
“You thought I would do that?””
She looked ashamed.
“I thought you were good for him.””
Nathan laughed sadly.
“So you trusted my wife more than me.””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I trusted her because I knew she loved you.””
That hurt.
Because it was almost a compliment.
But it came from someone who had betrayed us.
Then Isabella looked at me.
“I’m sorry.””
I didn’t know what to say.
Because the truth was complicated.
She had hurt me.
But she had also been trapped by her own fear.
And fear had made her cruel.
Nathan stood.
“We’re done.””
Isabella looked up.
“Nathan…”
“I need space.””
She nodded.
Before leaving, she stopped at the door.
“There’s one more thing.””
Nathan didn’t look at her.
“What?””
“Victor wasn’t the person who suggested the wedding plan.””
I turned.
“What?””
Isabella looked terrified.
“Someone else knew.””
Nathan frowned.
“Who?””
She hesitated.
Then whispered:
“The person who gave Victor the idea.””
The room went silent.
“Who?””
Isabella looked at me.
May you like
And my blood turned cold.
“Your father.””
