Mafia's Only Daughter ✔

Chapter 2. The Red Envelope and the Black Hole

Hey lovely readers 💌

I've just shared a chapter that's very close to my heart-Isabella's journey is raw, emotional, and full of quiet strength. I'd love to hear your thoughts! I've added a few questions at the end to spark reflection and discussion. Your responses mean the world to me 🤍

✨ While I'm working on editing the next part, I hope you'll take a moment to dive into these questions and share your feelings. Your patience and support keep me going-and I promise, what's coming next will be worth the wait.

With love,
Divya 🌸

ISABELLA POV:

I woke up, as usual, at 4 in the morning to the sound of my alarm. However, my eyes were in such pain that I couldn't open them. After struggling for a few seconds, I finally managed to. I completed my morning routine and settled down to work on my studies and business tasks. I had to finish everything before anyone else woke up.

After three long hours, I made my way to the dining room. My stomach growled loudly I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday morning. As I sat in my usual chair, I noticed everyone's eyes were on me, which made me tense. What happened now? I wondered but ignored them and reached out to serve myself breakfast.

Before I could, my mother's cold voice froze me in my tracks.
"Don't touch, Isabella."

I stared at her, shocked. She called Bianca, whispered something to her, and within two minutes, Bianca returned with a plate in her hands. Handing it to me, she sat back down. Confused, I looked at my mother.

"You didn't come for dinner last night." She said in a strict tone. "Now eat this leftover food from yesterday night. We don't have money to waste on you. Do you understand?"

I nodded and quietly ate whatever was on the plate, ignoring the knot forming in my stomach.

After breakfast, I grabbed my backpack and left for college. As usual, Bianca and her friends didn't miss an opportunity to bully me whenever I crossed their paths. Today, I had two extra lectures compared to Bianca, which were part of an additional course I had managed to join after begging my mother for a week.

When my lectures finally ended at 3 PM, I walked to the library near my house and spent two hours studying and working. By 5 PM, I returned home. As I entered, I saw my mother sitting with the same guests who had visited yesterday.

Confused, I greeted them politely. My mother instructed me to change my clothes, just like yesterday. When I entered my room, I found a fresh pair of clothes along with a note:

"Get ready in 20 minutes with makeup. Behave well in front of your in-laws. I don't want this alliance to be canceled. If you make a mistake, you won't get food for two days."

Reading the note, I quickly changed and went downstairs. My mother introduced me to one of the women.

"Mrs. Russo, this is my daughter, Isabella."

Mrs. Russo turned to look at me, making me nervous. But her warm smile and kind words put me at ease.
"Hello, Isabella. You look lovely in this dress."