𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲

Chapter fourteen

Isabella's POV:

I woke up with a pounding headache and a queasy stomach, the aftereffects of too much drinking hitting me like a freight train. How did I end up in my bed? Last night was a blur of neon lights and too much alcohol.

I stumbled into the bathroom, taking a quick, refreshing shower, and tried to make myself presentable. I dressed in the black dress that Noah had disapproved of, figuring if I was going to deal with a hangover, I might as well do it in something that felt like a statement.

As I made my way downstairs, I spotted Leila in the kitchen. I threw my arms around her from behind in a hug. "Good morning, Leila."

"Morning, dear," she said, turning with a warm smile and handing me a pill. "Noah gave me these early this morning. He mentioned you might need them."

My face flushed with embarrassment. "Oh, did he now?" I took the pill with a glass of water, grateful for her kindness but mortified by the thought of how I must have behaved.

Rowan strolled in just as I finished. "Morning, Isabella," he greeted with his usual cheerful grin.

"Good morning, Rowan," I replied, trying to muster a smile. His positivity was a bright spot in my otherwise foggy morning.

"Just so you know," Rowan said, "as soon as you're done with your breakfast, I'll be ready for those cupcakes."

I chuckled. "You know me well, Rowan. They're almost done."

Leila informed us that she was heading out for groceries, and I waved her off with a "Be safe, Lily."---"Cupcakes are ready!" I called out as I emerged with a tray. Rowan's eyes lit up, and he grabbed a cupcake, shoving the whole thing into his mouth.

"These are seriously so good!" he mumbled, speaking through a full mouth.

Noah, ever the looming presence, walked in and saw us. "What the hell is going on here?" he snapped, his annoyance palpable.

Rowan put me down and shrugged. "Isabella made cupcakes, and they're amazing."

Noah, arms crossed, shot me a look of indifference. "And?"

"Rowan just wanted to appreciate them," I said, trying to defuse the tension. "We're saving some for Leila, Andrew, Michael, and the guards."

"Fine," he said, grabbing a cupcake. "But you better bake more tomorrow."His dismissive tone was like nails on a chalkboard, but I just smiled and nodded.---With nothing else to occupy my time, I decided to head to the backyard. I'd barely settled when 

Daniel approached, his demeanor shy. "Hey," he said.

I raised an eyebrow, not in the mood for pleasantries. "Hey."

"I'm sorry if I annoyed you," he continued, his voice earnest. "I just wanted to be friends. Can we try again?"

"Only if you teach me to play the piano," I said, seizing the opportunity.

"Absolutely!" he agreed, his smile broadening.

We shook on it just as Noah appeared, his presence commanding. "Come with me," he ordered, grabbing my arm.

I yanked my arm free. "You can't just drag me around. Where are we going?"

"To pick out a ring and a dress," he replied. I remembered our impending marriage and sighed, resigning myself to the bizarre reality of my situation.---Noah drove us in a sleek white Range Rover to the jewelry store. His suit, while casual, made him look effortlessly handsome.

Inside, the jeweler greeted us with practiced politeness. "Good afternoon, sir."

Noah didn't respond, his usual aloofness on full display. I decided it was my turn to offer a little civility. "Good afternoon," I said to the jeweler with a warm smile.

The jeweler led us to a private room, presenting an array of rings. I glanced at the most modest one, handing it to the jeweler.

"Are you sure about this one?" he asked, surprised. "It's the least expensive."

Noah took the ring and eyed me. "Isabella, choose another one. We can afford better."

I took a deep breath, feeling a pang of frustration. "Noah," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, 

"we're not getting married for long. We don't need an expensive ring. Save your money for someone you truly love. When you find her, you can buy her the world."

Before Noah could respond, the jeweler reappeared with a display of rings. "Mrs. Gabriel, we have a rare piece you might like," he said, excitement in his voice.

I sighed, knowing I had lost this round but determined to hold on to some semblance of control.

As soon as my eyes landed on the perfect ring, all my earlier resolve seemed to evaporate. It was dazzling, catching the light in a way that made it almost impossible to look away. Its brilliance was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I forgot everything else around me.

I didn't even notice Noah had come up beside me until he spoke, his voice cutting through my daze. "We're buying it."

I glanced at Noah, his stern expression making it clear he wasn't leaving room for negotiation. 

The jeweler, who had been patiently waiting, shifted uncomfortably under Noah's intense gaze.

"Mrs. Gabriel, I value your opinion as well," the jeweler said, trying to placate Noah's imposing presence.

"It looks amazing," I managed to say, still entranced by the ring's beauty.

"Great," Noah said decisively. "We'll take it. Please wait in the private room."

We retreated to the secluded space, my mind racing as I tried to reconcile my earlier intentions with the allure of the ring. The minutes seemed to stretch on, each second heavy with anticipation.

When the jeweler finally reappeared, he handed Noah a velvet box containing the ring. Noah opened it, showing me the shimmering treasure inside. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a mix of awe and resignation. The ring was indeed perfect, a stark contrast to the more modest option I had initially chosen.