Chapter 7 - Isabella's Perfect Betrayal
Isabella Romano had spent years convincing everyone that she was the helpless woman who always needed rescuing.
Vincent had paid her rent.
Covered her business debts.
Given her expensive gifts.
And believed every story she told about men who had mistreated her.
But when Marco placed the surveillance evidence on Vincent's desk, the innocent image began to collapse.
"These payments went to a private investigation firm," Marco explained.
Vincent studied the records.
"Why would Isabella hire investigators?"
"Most of their work concerned Mrs. Moretti."
Vincent looked up sharply.
"What?"
Marco placed another document in front of him.
"Claire's medical appointments. Her work schedule. Her phone records. Her visits to her father's former attorney."
Vincent's expression hardened.
"How long?"
"At least fourteen months."
Vincent stared at the dates.
Fourteen months.
During that time, Isabella had repeatedly told him Claire was controlling, jealous, and overly suspicious.
He'd believed her.
He'd even accused his wife of checking up on him.
Meanwhile, Isabella had been monitoring Claire's life.
"Bring her here," Vincent said.
"Sir, I recommend involving law enforcement."
Vincent looked toward the window.
"Do both."
Isabella arrived thirty minutes later.
She walked into Vincent's office smiling.
"Vincent! I knew you'd calm down."
He didn't stand.
"Sit."
She glanced at Marco.
"Do we really need an audience?"
"Yes."
Vincent spread the surveillance records across his desk.
"Explain these."
Isabella looked at the documents.
Her smile disappeared.
"Where did you get those?"
"Did you hire someone to follow my wife?"
"Claire was acting suspicious."
"Answer the question."
Isabella's eyes filled with tears.
"I was trying to protect you."
"From my wife?"
"From what she was hiding!"
Vincent leaned forward.
"What was she hiding?"
Isabella hesitated.
Then she said, "Her father's documents."
Vincent went cold.
"What documents?"
"Robert Bennett kept financial records involving your family. Claire was going to use them against you."
"Who told you that?"
She looked away.
"Someone."
Vincent slammed his hand against the desk.
"WHO?"
"Lorenzo!"
The name hung in the air.
Marco moved closer.
Isabella began speaking quickly.
"Your father told me Claire was dangerous. He said she could destroy everything you built. He asked me to watch her."
Vincent stared.
"And the mango cake?"
"What?"
"You knew she was allergic."
Isabella shook her head.
"I didn't think it was serious."
"You knew."
"She always exaggerates!"
Vincent's voice became frighteningly quiet.
"She nearly died."
Isabella started crying.
"I didn't want that!"
"Then why did you insist she was lying?"
"Because I thought she'd use the allergy to make you angry with me!"
Vincent sat back.
For months, he'd rewarded Isabella every time she'd hurt his marriage.
She hadn't needed to force him.
He'd made every wrong choice himself.
"I need you to leave," he said.
Isabella looked relieved.
Then Marco stepped toward the door.
"Two detectives are waiting outside," he said.
Her expression changed.
"Detectives?"
"They want to ask about the surveillance operation and your connection to an assault in Flagstaff."
Isabella went pale.
"Flagstaff?"
Vincent noticed her reaction.
"How do you know Claire is in Flagstaff?"
"I don't!"
"You just reacted like you did."
She backed away.
"Vincent, please."
He stood.
"Don't ask me to save you."
"After everything we've been through?"
"Everything we went through happened because I allowed you into a marriage you had no business interfering with."
Isabella's tears vanished.
"Fine."
Her voice turned icy.
"You want to know the truth? Claire was never supposed to leave Las Vegas."
Vincent went still.
"What does that mean?"
"Your father had a plan. I was supposed to keep you distracted while he got the documents from her."
Vincent stared at her.
"And if Claire refused?"
Isabella said nothing.
"Isabella."
Her eyes shifted toward Marco.
Then she whispered:
"He said Robert Bennett made the same mistake."
Vincent felt something inside him break.
Six years ago, a man had died for refusing to surrender evidence.
And his father had intended to do something similar to Claire.
Vincent took out his phone.
He called Lorenzo.
His father answered immediately.
"Vincent."
"Where are you?"
"At home."
"Stay there."
"Why?"
Vincent looked at Isabella.
"Because we're going to discuss Robert Bennett."
Lorenzo's voice became sharp.
"Do not trust anything that woman says."
"Then tell me the truth."
A pause.
Then Lorenzo said:
"You're asking questions that will get Claire killed."
Vincent's blood ran cold.
"Where is she?"
His father's silence was answer enough.
"WHERE IS MY WIFE?"
Lorenzo spoke quietly.
May you like
"Vincent, if you still love that girl, stop looking for her."
Then the line went dead.
