CHAPTER 7

Investigative Bella

Isabella POV 

As I sat in my luxurious prison, I couldn't help but wonder about Gabriel's secrets.

 What was he hiding? And why was he so determined to keep me safe?

The maid's words echoed in my mind 

"The don has secrets, ma'am. Secrets that could put you in danger."

I thought about Alessandro, the way he had looked at me with such intensity, such passion. 

I thought about the way he had touched me, the way he had made me feel. 

And I wondered, was it all a lie? Had he been using me all along?

But then I thought about Gabriel, the way he had taken me in, the way he had promised to protect me.

 I thought about the way he had looked at me, with a mixture of concern and desire. 

And I wondered, what did he really want from me?

I felt torn, caught between two men who represented different paths in my life. 

Alessandro, the man I had loved and trusted, and Gabriel, the man who had taken me in and promised to protect me.

Mid morning of the next day, Gabriel visited me in the east wing, my beautiful prison.

"Mi amor" he called in a passionate voice, while I just rolled my eyes at him aggressively.

"C'mon mi amor, getting all aggressive, is not nice for you my beautiful lady." He said teasingly.

But every word that came out from his mouth, only made me more angry and frustrated.

"I'm tired of being trapped in this mansion," i said, my voice laced with the huge amount frustration, I feel inside me

 "I want to go out, feel the sun on my skin, and breathe fresh air."

Gabriel's expression remained calm, but his eyes narrowed slightly. 

"You're not going anywhere," he said. "You're safe here, and that's all that matters."

I looked at Gabriel intently, my eyes blinking with anger. "Safe?" I repeated. 

"You call this safe? Being locked up in a gilded cage, with no freedom to make my own choices?"

Gabriel's gaze never wavered. "You're being dramatic, Isabella," he said.

 "You're safe from Alessandro, and that's all that matters."

My face twisted in disgust and anger. 

"You're just trying to control me," i spat.

 "You don't care about my feelings or my well-being. 

You only care about your own power and influence."

Gabriel's expression darkened, and he took a step closer to Isabella.

 "You're not in a position to question my motives," he said, his voice low and menacing. 

"I'm trying to protect you, whether you like it or not."

I stood my ground, despite the fear that was growing inside me. 

"I don't need your protection," I said. "I can take care of myself."

Gabriel's eyes blazed with anger, and he raised his voice. "You have no idea what you're dealing with," he said. 

"You have no idea what Alessandro is capable of.

 You're just a naive little girl, playing with fire."

My face reddened with anger, and i shouted back at him.

 "I'm not a naive little girl," I said.

 "I'm a woman, and I know exactly what I'm dealing with. 

I'm dealing with a controlling, manipulative man who only cares about himself."

Gabriel's face twisted in rage, and he turned to storm out of the room. 

"This conversation is over," he said, his voice cold and final.

As he slammed the door behind him, i felt a surge of satisfaction. 

I had stood up for myself, and I had refused to back down.

 But as I looked around the empty room, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in grave danger. 

Gabriel's anger had been palpable, and i knew that I had to be careful.

My eyes flashed with anger as Gabriel stormed out of the room. 

I felt a mix of emotions, frustration, anger, and fear. 

I know what Gabriel was capable of, and i wasn't sure if I was safe in his mansion.

As I paced back and forth in my room, i couldn't help but think about my situation.

 I was trapped, with no clear escape. 

Gabriel's men were everywhere, watching my every move, I felt more like a prisoner,than a married wife.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps outside my room.

 I turned to see the maid, Maria, entering with a tray of food.

"Ma'am, I brought you some breakfast by the Don's order," Maria said, her voice soft and gentle.

 My stomach growled at the sight of the food. 

I hadn't eaten all morning, and i was starving alongside my unborn child.

 I sat down at the table, and watched Maria as she served me.

As i ate, Maria tried to make conversation.

 "Ma'am, I'm sorry about what happened earlier. 

The don can be...difficult sometimes.

"I looked up at her, curious. "What do you mean?" I asked.

Maria hesitated, glancing around the room nervously.

 "I mean, he's a good man, but he's also very...possessive. 

He likes to control things, and people."

I narrowed my eyes, and stared at her.

 "You think he's controlling?" I asked.

Maria nodded. "Yes, ma'am. He's very controlling. 

He likes to know everything that's going on, and he doesn't like surprises. 

He's also very protective of the people he cares about.

"I thought about this. 

It made sense, given what i knew about Gabriel. 

He was a powerful man, used to getting his way, but was he capable of change?

As i finished eating, Maria stood up to leave. 

"Ma'am, I should go. The don might get angry if he finds me talking to you like this."

I nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Maria, you're very kind to me."

Maria smiled, her eyes warm. "You're welcome, ma'am.

 I'll try to come back and visit you again soon."

As Maria left, I felt a sense of gratitude towards her. 

She was the only person in the mansion who seemed to care about my feelings.

But as i sat alone in my room, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in danger. 

Gabriel's anger had been palpable, and i knew that i had to be careful.

I thought about my options, trying to decide what to do next.

 I could try to escape, but that seemed risky, and I am carrying a little life, I will never put my child's life at risk no matter what. 

I could try to reason with Gabriel, but that seemed futile.

As I sat there, lost in thought, I heard a noise at the door.

 I turned to see Gabriel standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on me 

"Isabella," he said, his voice low and husky. "We need to talk."

My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him. What did he want now?

"What is it, Gabriel?" I asked, trying to sound calm.

Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "I want to know what's going on in that head of yours," he said. "I want to know what you're thinking."

I raised an eyebrow in fury, such audacity, "Why?" I asked. "What business is it of yours?"

Gabriel's face twisted in anger. "Everything about you is my business," he said.

 "You're mine, Isabella. 

And I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. What did he mean by that? Was he threatening me?

As i looked at Gabriel, I saw the possessive intensity in his eyes. 

I knew that i had to be careful, that I had to tread carefully.

But I also knew that i couldn't back down.

 I had to stand up for myself and my unborn child, no matter what.

"I don't belong to you," i said, my voice firm.

 "I'm my own person, and I'll make my own decisions."

Gabriel's face darkened, and he took a step closer to ne 

"We'll see about that," he said, his voice low and menacing.

I felt a surge of fear run through me, but I stood my ground. 

I knew that i had to be strong, that I had to fight for me and my unborn child's freedom.

As Gabriel's eyes locked onto mine, I knew that this was far from over.

 The battle for dominance between the both of us had just begun, and I wasn't sure who would emerge victorious.

Author's pov 

Few hours after Gabriel left Isabella's room with anger,

Rodriguez stood outside Isabella's room, hesitating for a moment before knocking on the door.

 "Isabella, can I come in?" he asked softly.

The door opened, and Isabella stood before him, her eyes red from crying.

 "What do you want, Rodriguez?" she asked, her voice cold.

Rodriguez took a deep breath and stepped inside.

 "I know you're upset, and I don't blame you. 

But I need to tell you something."

Isabella crossed her arms, her expression cold. "What is it?"

Rodriguez closed the door behind him and took a seat on the bed. "It's about Gabriel. He's not who you think he is."

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Rodriguez leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. 

"Gabriel didn't kill our parents, Isabella.

 He was trying to protect us. He's been watching over us for years."

Isabella's face twisted in disgust. "Don't lie to me, Rodriguez.

 I know what I saw. Gabriel's men killed our parents five years ago, and he's been holding you captive since three years ago."

Rodriguez sighed, his expression patient. "Isabella, listen to me. Gabriel's not a monster. 

He's a good man who made some tough choices to keep us safe. 

He's been working to take down the real enemy, the one who killed our parents."

Isabella shook her head, her mind made up. "I don't believe you. 

I won't listen to anything that makes excuses for Gabriel's behavior."

Rodriguez's eyes filled with sadness. "Isabella, please. You're my sister, and I want to protect you.

 Gabriel's the only one who can help us uncover the truth and bring justice to our family."

Isabella turned away, her voice firm. "I don't want to hear it, Rodriguez. Leave me alone."

Rodriguez stood up, his heart heavy. "Okay, Isabella. 

But know that I'm here for you, and I'll always support you.

 If you ever want to talk or need help, don't hesitate to reach out."

As Rodriguez left the room, Isabella felt a mix of emotions. 

She was determined to uncover the truth, but a part of her wondered if she was wrong about Gabriel.

Isabella's determination to uncover the truth about her family's past and Gabriel's involvement grew stronger with each passing day. 

She played the role of the obedient wife, pretending to have given up on her quest for answers. 

But in reality, she was secretly gathering information, trying to piece together the puzzle.

As she walked through the mansion's halls, she noticed the subtle details that only a keen observer would catch. 

She saw the way Gabriel's guards looked at her, a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

 She saw the way Gabriel himself looked at her, a mix of possessiveness and concern.

Isabella knew she had to tread carefully.

Isabella put on a calm and composed facade, pretending to have accepted her situation. 

She spent her days lounging in the east wing, attending to her appearance, and engaging in polite conversations with the staff. 

Meanwhile, she observed Gabriel's movements, trying to identify any patterns or vulnerabilities.

As the days passed, Isabella's act began to convince Gabriel that she was resigned to her fate. 

He started to relax his guard, spending more time with her and sharing small details about his business dealings. 

Isabella listened intently, storing away every piece of information like a puzzle piece.

She was a doctor, a neurosurgeon and her IQ was, super high so she could store, as many things she wanted in her brain, and still remember them.

One evening, Gabriel invited her to dinner, and Isabella accepted, playing the role of the gentle wife. 

As they sat down to eat, Gabriel mentioned a meeting he had scheduled with one of his business associates. 

Isabella's ears perked up, and she casually asked about the associate's identity.

Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly, but he answered, "Just a partner in one of our ventures.

 Nothing to concern yourself with."

Isabella smiled and nodded, filing away the information for future reference. 

She knew that gaining Gabriel's trust would take time, but she was willing to play the long game.

As the night wore on, Isabella continued to charm Gabriel, pretending to be interested in his stories and hobbies. 

She laughed and smiled, all the while calculating her next move.

Isabella continued to play the role of the obedient wife, all the while gathering information and observing Gabriel's movements. 

She noticed that he seemed to be getting more and more comfortable around her, sharing small details about his business dealings and his associates.

One day, while Gabriel was out on a meeting, Isabella decided to snoop around the mansion. 

She knew that Gabriel's office was off-limits, but she was determined to find out more about his business dealings.

She made her way to the office, her heart racing with anticipation. 

She carefully picked the lock and slipped inside, closing the door behind her.

The office was dimly lit, with papers and files scattered all over the desk.

 Isabella's eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail. 

She spotted a safe in the corner, partially hidden behind a bookshelf.

Isabella's mind was racing with possibilities. What could be inside the safe? 

Was it something that could help her escape, or something that would further entangle her in Gabriel's web?

As she approached the safe, she heard a noise coming from outside the office. Footsteps. 

Heavy footsteps. Isabella's heart sank. She knew she had to act fast.

Isabella quickly knelt down beside the safe and began to work on the combination lock. 

She had always been good with puzzles and codes, and she was determined to crack the safe's combination.

As she worked, the footsteps grew louder, and Isabella knew she was running out of time. 

She focused intently on the lock, her fingers moving swiftly and precisely.

After what felt like an eternity, the lock clicked open, and Isabella pulled out a stack of files and documents. 

She quickly scanned through them, her eyes widening as she realized the extent of Gabriel's business dealings.

The documents revealed a complex names of companies and transactions, all linked to the Santos's empire.

 Isabella's mind was racing with questions. 

What was Gabriel's true intention? Was he involved in something illegal?

As she continued to scan the documents, Isabella's eyes landed on a familiar name the knights family.

 It seemed that Gabriel and her family were connected in more ways than one.

Suddenly, Isabella heard the door handle turn, and she knew she had to act fast. 

She quickly stuffed the documents back into the safe and closed it, just as the door swung open.

Gabriel stood in the doorway, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. 

"What are you doing in here, Isabella?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.

Isabella stood up, trying to compose herself. "I was just looking for a book," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Gabriel's eyes lingered on her face, and Isabella knew she had to be careful.

 She couldn't let him suspect that she had been snooping around.

Gabriel's eyes seemed to bore into Isabella's soul, as if searching for any sign of deception. 

Isabella held her breath, trying to maintain her calm demeanor.

"I don't believe you," Gabriel said finally, his voice dripping with suspicion. 

"You're not exactly known for your love of reading."

Isabella forced a laugh, trying to deflect the tension. "You're right," she said. 

"But I'm trying to broaden my horizons. I figured I'd start with something interesting."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think you'd find something interesting in my office?"

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She knew she was walking a thin line. 

"I was just exploring," she said, trying to sound casual. "I didn't mean to intrude."

Gabriel's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes seemed to burn with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

 "You'd do well to stay out of my office, Isabella," he said finally. 

"There are things here that could get you hurt."

Isabella felt a shiver run down her spine.

 What did Gabriel mean? Was he warning her away from something specific, or was this just a general threat?

"Nothing," Gabriel said, his voice low and smooth. "Just a reminder to be careful. 

You don't want to get caught up in things that are beyond your control."

Isabella nodded, trying to play along. "I understand," she said. "I'll be more careful."

Gabriel's eyes lingered on hers for a moment, as if searching for any sign of deception. 

Then, he nodded and turned to leave. "I'll see you at dinner," he said, his voice calm and detached.

As the door closed behind him, Isabella let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. 

She knew she had to be careful, but she was determined to uncover the truth about Gabriel's business dealings and his connection to her family's past.

Isabella waited until Gabriel was out of sight before she slipped out of the office, the files safely hidden underneath her top.

 She felt a rush of adrenaline as she made her way back to her room, her mind racing with weird thoughts.

As soon as she was safely inside, Isabella pulled out the files and began to scan through them. 

Her eyes scanning the pages with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. 

The more she read, the more her eyes widened in shock.

Isabella's eyes scanned the pages, her face a mixture of shock and disbelief. 

She couldn't believe what she was reading. 

The words danced on the page, revealing secrets she never thought she'd uncover.

As she read on, Isabella's grip on the papers tightened, her knuckles white with tension. 

She felt like she was holding her breath, unsure of what she'd discover next.

The room around her melted away, leaving only the papers and her racing thoughts. 

Isabella's mind was a whirlwind of her own, and she felt like she he was unraveling a thread that had been hidden for years.

The words blurred together as Isabella's eyes scanned the pages, her heart pounding in her chest. 

She knew she had to be careful, but she couldn't help the sense of excitement and anxiety that was building inside her.

As she read the final page, Isabella's eyes lingered on a particular sentence, her mind reeling with the implications. 

She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her.

The room was silent, except for the sound of Isabella's ragged breathing.

 She knew she had to process what she'd learned, but for now, she was frozen in shock.