Mafia's Only Daughter ✔

Chapter 8. Shattered Bonds: The Truth Unveiled

ISABELLA'S POV:

I wished everyone a good morning, but no one replied, not even my mother-in-law. This was shocking to me. Then Mom approached me and asked, "Where were you, Isabella?"

Conversation Key for ease.

Francesca (Mother): F

Isabella: I

Mr. Russo: Mr.

Dario (Father): D

Bianca (Sister): B

Mrs. Russo (MIL): Mrs.

Eros: E

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F: "Tell me, where were you the whole night?"

I: "Actually, Mom, I fainted. A girl and her brother helped me, and I was with them." I said truthfully.

D: "Then why didn't you contact any of us?"

I: "Dad, I woke up only this morning. I was unconscious the entire night."

D: "Really? Do you think we're idiots to believe that lie?"

I: "No, Dad. I'm telling the truth."

E: "She's lying, Uncle." Eros, Bianca's boyfriend said.

I: "What? Why would I lie to my own family?"

B: "Oh really, you're not lying?" She screamed on my face.

I: "Bianca, I'm not lying. Her brother only dropped me home."

E: "She's a great liar."

Mr.: "Isabella, tell us the truth!"

I: "Mr. Russo, I was with the girl and her brother the whole night. I fainted, and I didn't gain consciousness until morning. The girl was worried about my condition. I swear I'm not lying."

B: "No! She's lying, Mr. Russo. My boyfriend will tell you the truth."

E: "Yesterday evening, she came to my friend's house and asked him to call me but not to mention her. When I got there, she was there sitting and waiting for me. She asked to speak to me in private, so we went to my friend's room. As soon as we entered, she started forcing herself on me! Somehow, I escaped. My friend and I warned her to leave, and we don't know where she went after that."

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THIRD-PERSON POV:

Isabella's fiancé closed his eyes, not wanting to hear this, but suddenly, her scream jolted him to open his eyes.

I: "Ahhhhhhh!" Isabella screamed as Bianca yanked her hair. Bianca slapped her harshly before letting her go.

Mrs.: "I'm breaking this alliance. Isabella will not be our daughter-in-law. Let's go I don't want to see her face."

I: "Mom, please don't say that! I didn't do anything wrong! Please believe me." Isabella begged, tears streaming down her face.

But Mrs. Russo left with her husband and son.

Her fiancé, hiding behind a pillar, continued to listen to the conversation.

As soon as the Russo's left, Francesca stormed toward Isabella and slapped her. She yanked the scarf off Isabella's face harshly.

I: "Please believe me, Mom! I didn't do anything like that!" Isabella screamed; her eyes filled with tears.

F: "Believe you? You are a filthy liar! Tell me, why should I believe you over him?" Francesca spats venomously.

Isabella stared at her mother in disbelief. She had thought Francesca would believe her, support her. But no, her mother, like always, chose to believe others. What Francesca said next shattered Isabella's world.

F: "How could I forget? Blood speaks. You're a spoiled brat. You're his daughter not mine! Dario and I tried so hard to raise you right, but blood speaks louder than anything!"

Her words confused Isabella. Her head spun. What did her mother mean? She wasn't Dario's daughter?

Her fiancé, still hidden behind the pillar, was equally shocked by this revelation.

I: "Mom, you're lying, right? I'm your and Dad's daughter." She stammered, desperately trying to sound confident, but her voice betrayed her uncertainty.

D: "No! You're not my daughter. You can never be my daughter. I have only two daughters and they are Bianca and Emma. Do you understand?" His harsh words broke Isabella's heart into a million pieces. Her fiancé who was hidden till now left from there.

F: "I'm sorry, dear. I don't know how to apologize to you for all you've suffered because of her." Francesca said to Eros.

B: "You bitch! You tried to take what's mine. Now, I'll show you what it means to mess with me!" Bianca snarled, kicking Isabella in the stomach.

Isabella crumpled to the ground, utterly drained. Then the beating began punches, slaps, kicks. It continued for half an hour.

When everyone left, Isabella lay half unconscious, feverish and broken. A kind maid eventually found her, carried her to her room, and left. Isabella cried herself to sleep.

The whole day passed. No one came to check on her. At dinner, no one called her to join. After everyone retired to their rooms, the maid brought her food and medicine. She ate in silence and drifted into a restless sleep.

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At Russo Mansion

Mr. and Mrs. Russo returned home and settled in the hall.

Mrs.: "Why did you ask me to break the alliance?"

Mr.: "You know very well why I did that. I have to take my revenge." Mr. Russo said coldly.

H: "But what was her fault, Dad?" Isabella's fiancé asked, entering the hall.

Mr. Russo raised an eyebrow.

H: "Dad, she isn't Dario's daughter. She's, his stepdaughter."

Mrs.: "We made a mistake by not checking thoroughly and punishing that poor soul." She said sadly.

H: "Don't blame yourself, Mom. It's not your fault I could have done the background check properly." He reassured her, hugging her tightly.

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Two Days Later

At the Conti House, everyone returned to their routines. Isabella woke up early, completed her chores, and went to college.

On her first day back, whispers followed her wherever she went. Everyone talked about her broken engagement. After lectures, Isabella found an empty bathroom, locked herself inside, and cried for half an hour.

Later, she went to the library and studied for two hours. But as she walked through the hallway, all eyes were on her. She hurried toward the exit, but Bianca and her friends blocked her path. They humiliated her in front of the entire college.

Isabella fled home while crying the whole route, reaching she locked herself in her room, and refused to come out.

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1. What moment in this chapter broke your heart the most?

2. Did the silence from her family and in-laws feel more painful than the physical abuse?

3. Do you think her fiancé regrets not doing the background check?

4. Why do you think Francesca and Dario chose to raise Isabella only to reject her so cruelly?

5. Will Isabella's fiancé try to reconnect with her after learning the truth?

6. Will the poor soul ever get LOVE  in her life — or she has suffer like this for her rest of life also?

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