"No, there will not be a divorce," his nostrils flared in anger as he glared down at me.

"Why?" I folded my arms. "...Afraid to be divorced by a woman?"

He laughed softly but with a dangerous edge that told me he was running out of patience.

"I wonder why they made you chief of police, but clearly, from what I've seen, you are nothing but a liability at your job. You know nothing about the law, have a serial killer on the loose for two years if I'm not mistaken, and you almost died at a crime scene because you misplaced your gun, which is always meant to be on you."

He clamped his palms together, taking another step closer.

"You will not question my..."

"Your what? Your career? Which you're obviously failing at. The world hasn't had a hero since that serial killer walked in, and for someone who was once a hero, you seem to be hopeless..."

He lowered his head and grabbed my shirt, tugging me forward.

His hot breath showered upon my shoulder, and I went still, trying to breathe, but his scent was so intoxicating I could die from it.

"The world doesn't want or need you, Isabela. You are weak. You are worthless. Even your father tried to tell you that. You will forever be nothing more than a slave, so be content I bought you, because certainly, you are not worth the price. I was the highest bidder because there were no other bidders!"

He let go of me, and my knees gave out before he looked down at me.

"If I'm worthless, then let go of me." He stopped in his tracks and gave me a backward glance.

"You're mine now. I'll decide what to do with you, and from now on, you are not allowed to leave this premises without me."

"That's ridiculous! I have a job, you simply cannot..." The door shut right behind him, and then I heard a click, which made my heart drop.

He can't be serious.

I rushed to the door, but it was locked. So were the windows, which were made from glass that couldn't be broken.

My heart dropped to my stomach as I began to breathe heavily. It can't be. I have worked hard enough to get to where I was. There was no way this man was keeping me locked up in here. I needed to find another way. I couldn't be locked up in here.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out to see mother's name on the caller ID. I ended it. She was the last person I wanted to speak to.

I checked every room in the house, but there was no window to escape from or extra door to unlock. I couldn't break the door or locks. I was all alone in the house, but this wasn't the life I envisioned. And I didn't want to be thrown into a hopeless situation again not after what Father and Matteo had done.

I continued to scatter the house, setting security alarms off and on while tears rolled down my eyes. Finally, I pushed a door open. It seemed well arranged, but everything was black except a pink and blue journal that laid on the dresser.

The room smelt like him, which only meant this was his room.

But why was his room on the top floor and in a dark corner? And why was everything else black?

I knew he had a black soul to begin with, but this was way too dark. Everything was arranged spotlessly, but I was curious to know what was in that journal.

"Dada," I pronounced what was written on the cover, and my heart took a leap.

Did he have a child before marriage? Or was this his when he was little?

Questions scattered all through my mind. If he was going to keep me trapped in the house, I needed to find all I could to put him behind bars for good. There was no way I was going to spend the rest of my life with a man like that.

My phone continued to buzz, and I knew it was mother, which made me ignore it.

I read the book, and it was truly a child's journal, but I couldn't tell anything from it. This child loved his father, but it seemed... My breath hitched when I heard footsteps behind the door.

"Juanita, get the suitcase ready." I heard him speak to one of the maids. I needed to hide.

Without thinking, I threw myself into the closet room and hid behind the door silently. He stepped into the room while my heart raced like a cheetah on the hunt. I controlled my breathing, remaining still.

"Where to, sir?" Juanita's voice seemed far like she was by the door and not inside the room.

"Costa Rica." He sounded so uninterested. Was he truly traveling without telling me anything?

My phone buzzed, and panic surged through my bones. I silenced it.

I hoped he didn't hear it. His footsteps grew louder as he walked to the closet door, and I could hear my heartbeat in my ear.

What would he think of me if he found out I was searching through his stuff?

Goodness! I don't even care what he thinks, but I needed this man to let me out, and this was not the way to do that.

"Hello." My body stiffened, and a chill went through my spine from his voice.

He couldn't possibly be talking to...

"Get the body to Matteo. Do I need to tell you how to do your job, Niko?" He growled angrily, and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

A body? Matteo?

"I want that family wiped out completely. Not even a child survives... Keep the newborn at an orphanage. If anything goes wrong, I think you already know the answer to that, Niko." I swallowed.

Was this truly how they handled business in the underworld? If that's the case, then I truly need these people behind bars.

"Are you done spying, wife?" I froze