Isabelle (House of Jensen Series book 5)

Chapter 9

not edited

Isabelle's POV

The past

Isabelle was reading war and peace when her door was opened by Amanda who was carrying a tray of food. She look around her then walk inside the cell and places the tray on the desk. "I will try to always bring you a drink in a bottle or can so it can't be tampered with. I know smothered chicken is your favourite meal so I told the chef you hated it. So naturally he made it as a meal for everyone. I'm sorry this is happening to you but I'll keep you as safe as I can I promise."

She look outside and stays at the door, her eyes never leaving the corridor. She holds out her hand and Isabelle walks over to her taking what was in it. It was a family photograph, "When you feel down let this be your comfort. She suddenly looks alarmed and starts yelling at her. "I'll be back in half and hour to take you to the loo and so you can have a shower."

She shuts the cell door leaving Isabelle to her thoughts. She hides the photograph of her family and makes a start on her food. Why is Amanda here she thought to herself. Of all the places she shouldn't be. She is here, why?

Present Day

After Federico agrees to the marriage and after speaking to the Italian king and queen. It was decided the wedding would be in a week to give everyone time to prepare. Queen Faith knew my style and she arranged a wedding dress to be made for me. I didn't mind since it was a gift that was very much appreciated. They didn't seem surprise when we told them what was going on. But king Giovanni was angry that James assume they were a part of the mafia. "He's black what a racist thing to say."

I leave the office and go into the living room and my ex-fiancé was by my side in an instant. "Darling where did you go? I try to go upstairs to our room but security wouldn't let me. And I wasn't allowed to follow you and your brother. By the way what did Federico want and why was your brother with him. Was Fede crying?"

I heard the mocking tone in his voice I suspect it wasn't the first time. "I'm afraid royal life has secrets meaning there are somethings I can't tell you."

"I'm your fiancé," he starts kissing me. "I should know everything that's going on in your life." He hugs me then kisses me passionately again. "Once we get married I'll own you." He kisses me again. Did he just say he will own me like I was his property or possession?

He was being aggressive towards me but showing it as being loving to the people who were taking our picture. He holds onto my wrist a little too tightly but something tells me he did it on purpose. Is this what abusive relationships feels like? You being with a jackal and Hyde personality who hurts you. While expecting you to smile for the world to see how happy you're.

If he thought I was going to roll over and pretend nothing was wrong he was sadly mistaken. I remove his hand, "You're hurting me," I say very loudly for everyone to hear.

They all turn to us and James pulls me to his side and snakes an arm around me. I see my father give him a deadly look while his mother looked embarrassed and ashamed.

"James you should go and get your stuff from my room security will go with you." I say to him as I rub my wrist which was very red.

"I'm sorry I don't know my own strength sometimes," he starts acting bashful and apologetic. "This is just a misunderstanding guys," he grabs my wrist and tighten his grip on it. "Tell them Isabelle how happy we are and how. This is your fault for making something out of nothing."

"You think hurting me on three occasion in the space of five minutes is nothing! Then you have the gaul to demand I lie for you. Let me make my position with you very clear. This engagement is off and remove your hand from me now! Your fingernail is digging into my flesh and since you're twisting it. You damn well know you're hurting me."

There was a collective gasp of shock and mum and Bianca rush over to me. "I would like you all to leave." Seethes my brother. "James your clothes will be sent to you. You're no longer welcome here I have no issue with the rest of your family. You I don't want to see in front of me again."

When it was just friends and family my mother lifts up my top there was a bruise on my stomach. Through clench jaw my father demanded to know if he has hurt me before.

"No he hasn't. In fact he has been the perfect boyfriend. He was really looking forward to being a royal and a prince."

"Why don't you tell us how he behaved towards you on your trip." I look at my dad and he gives me an encouraging smile. I tell them how James behave from we landed in the Caribbean till we arrive back home.

"He was playing the perfect boyfriend but from what you said. He cared more about what he could get from you than you. When Bianca found out she was a princess she didn't care. She cared that she wasn't a single mother anymore. James tried to act like he would be equal with me status wise when he married you. He wants prestige and nothing else."

I knew Jay was right and unwittingly I played right into James's hand.

My mother who was sitting next to me rest my head on her shoulders, "I'm glad we saw the truth about him before the wedding. You're still dealing with trauma and he would've used that to control you. I'm glad you had the courage to speak up darling."

"Your friendship with Susan." I was sad that mum would throw away a forty year friendship because of me.

"Susan is not her son and she would've chewed him out for his behaviour. Let me worry about my friendship with her."

"Johan you're going to have to work with him."

"I'm currently working with his grandfather then I'll work with his father Theo. It will be a long while before he does ceremonial duties with me."

"I would love a hot cocoa."

Mum orders drinks for us all and I help myself to some finger food. "I have some news."

"Please don't tell me you're pregnant." My father looks crestfallen.

"As if, you know I'm saying myself for marriage daddy."

I see my mother put her hand on her heart and I see the relief on her face.

"I'm getting married in a week."

"Come again?"

"I'm getting married in a week." You could here a pin drop.