ISABELLA'S POV

“Tycoon’s Bastard Daughter Seduces Fiancé Away from Legitimate Heir! Just Like Her Whorish Mother”

My eyes widened at the message, my breath hitched, my heart pounding and I tried to steady myself as the phrase “Whorish Mother” danced around my head. An icy weight settled on my chest.

I never, I don't even know her or recognize her. But one thing Tina always made sure you reminded me of my mother was that she was a whore.

It had been so long since I heard that word since anyone had associated me with that word. As a child, I would always get looks of disgust from adults, even my teachers, just because they had claimed my mum whored her way to have me.

It had tormented me all my life, even in high school; I can still remember the hushed whispers when I walked down the hallways, the pointed fingers, and the Teacher's stares that were thinly laced with disgust. Friends, I didn't have any just labels that stuck through the years.

I could feel Shaun's concern as he tried to steady me with his hands. I flinched so fast like I was scalded with hot iron. His eyes softened briefly like he was trying to reach out, but then again, they became cold and distant.

Maybe I had imagined the look. He couldn't care less about me, I was a stain to his perfectly built World, a stain to everyone's world and the type of woman he loathed.

We shared an uncomfortable silence before I sprinted towards the room that was now strangely mine. I dragged myself to the bed, collapsing into it and allowing my thoughts and exhaustion to swallow me whole.

Tears spilt over me before I could stop them, hot and suddenly burning my cold cheeks. I let out a soft, helpless wail; the tears came fast and unstoppable. I sobbed with each aching in my insides.

Before long, I was asleep but this peace didn't last long. A call from my father jolted me awake. His voice thundered but firm layered with the familiar authority I have always known.

“Just because you are now engaged doesn't mean you can escape responsibility to your family. Work is waiting, and I expect you to be there.” He instructed.

“Yes, Father”, I faintly replied before hanging up the call. I didn't want to hear what else he had to say. I wasn't having that. I cannot even have a moment of peace because of the damned family. I bet he would not call Tina or Camilla to show up to work like he just did to me on any day.

I quickly took a bath, slipped into some clothes and headed out. I noticed Shaun was nowhere in sight. He had probably gone to work.

The thought of Shaun made my insides tussle; if there was another word for hate, maybe it could describe what I have for him. He was the proud sole heir to the Whitmores empire, and he couldn't care less not to flaunt it in anybody's face who dared to challenge him.

The blogs and celebrity media gossip called him the most eligible devil bachelor; he never spared anyone any look, even women. Everyone he looked at seemed to be beneath him. Although there are rumours he had a secret relationship with a popular billionaire actress in the United States when he was in school. But that was all anyone knew.

I exhaled, wondering how I ended up with such bad luck getting married to him.

Soon enough, I arrived at my father's company and made my way to his office. I could hear the faint whispers as I walked on.

They were talking about me, and I knew they were; I sauntered confidently towards the elevator when a remark caught my ear.

“How can she work so confidently after taking what belonged to her sister, she has no shame such a whore”

My jaw tightened as I clenched my fist around my bag, nails digging into my palm and my breath itched. I turned on my heels and walked towards the group of three girls slowly and deliberately, the clicking of my heels echoing through the hallway.

Each step I took felt heavier than the last, calculated and sharp.

“Can you repeat what you just said?” my voice low and sharp?

Their eyes widened; they trembled under my gaze, their eyes darting like caught prey. I smiled wildly. I was enjoying their reaction.

They couldn't have thought I would confront them. Old Isabella would have run away with her head bowed instead in shame, but not today that Isabella is gone.

“I hope you are not looking to lose your job” I added, letting the thread of threat hang in the air.

They shrank beneath my gaze, avoiding eye contact with me.

“We-we didn't say anything “ One of them finally replied.

“That better be it”, I smirked, giving them a once-over before turning And walking away.

I giggled at myself, it felt good to be able to defend myself without the fear of the implications.

…….

The day passed uneventfully, except for the father throwing his usual complaints and murmuring about me to me. I didn't offer an answer, let alone an apology, and that seemed to trigger him through more. I didn't care or give a damn anymore.

Despite Shaun's instinct that my stuff would be picked up later, I followed my father's car home to pick up things that no one would have been able to find. I needed to collect my personal things and, more importantly, a car. Even if I was illegitimate I had needs.

By the time I was home, it was quiet just the way I wanted it to be. I didn't want any attention or collision with Tina and Camilla. I headed straight to my room, It was tucked away in the corner of the mansion anyway.

I opened my wardrobe and reached out for my private parcel I knew no one could access. There behind the false panel was my antique paintbrush, my paint supplies And antique jewellery that was allegedly passed down to me from my mother.

The rest of my belongings seemed to have been cleared out earlier today

I was just about to leave when I bumped into Camilla outside. Her eyes narrowed as she gave me a once-over slowly. Her gaze sliced through me slowly. Cold and calculating with lips turning into a smirk as if savouring my inexistent pain.

“I hope you are happy now, Sister ”, she said scornfully, her tone higher when pronouncing the word sister.

I shrugged, walking further, I didn't sign up to deal with her silly ass today and I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction Old me would have.

“I am talking to you. Where are you going?” she pulled me back forcefully. Damn, I didn't know she had become feisty.

I kept my cool.

“Don't worry Shaun will see through you soon and he will dump you when he figures out the type of person you are”

I rolled my eyes, “There's nothing he is going to see through me, so give Up and stop parading yourself as a pathetic loser”, I rushed out. My response was sharp. My heart thumped faster; I was shocked at my own reply; I had never retorted before. I always took them in and turned them away.

Her face twisted with rage, her nostrils flaring and eyes blazing like a wildfire “You think you’ve won. But this? All of this? You’ll regret it.”

We went back and forth, the air between us thick and grey, until she raised her hand to hit me.

I gasped. Turning my face away, expecting a slap to land on my face, but nothing came. I slowly raised up my head to find Shaun, who appeared from nowhere, grabbing her wrist.