Chapter 111 - Husband For Sophia

[At the same time at Marino Mansion. ]

Isabelle looked at her new room with a troubled expression. Her eyes were showing emptiness along with exhaustion, the kind of exhaustion that wasn't physically alone. With a heavy heart, she sighed and stepped ahead. 

She tugged at the black scarf wrapping her hair and her jet black hair cascaded down. She then tossed the same scarf on the floor. 

"Where are you going?" She paused in her footsteps when she heard the voice of her husband. Oh, yeah did she mention she just got herself a new husband? Was escaping from one not enough that she found herself one more? 

Isabelle turned around to find the unemotional bastard staring at her as if looking at her soul and trying to read her out. Never has she ever been intimidated by anyone's gaze before until him. 

"Where would I be going?" Isabelle fired back in a resigned tone."Didn't I marry you now? You are keeping me, hostage, here. What else do you even want now?!"

Although Isabelle was forced to marry Salvatore Marino for numerous reasons, she still refused to believe that there wouldn't be more chances that she would find in the future to get rid of him. Yet, she didn't let him feel what she was thinking right now. 

Salvatore just coldly glanced at him. "Don't you think you can escape easily, Isabelle." 

Isabelle sighed. "Will you tell me now why you bestowed, I, Isabelle Scuderi, the honour of being a married woman once again? I don't think I deserve the title of Mrs Marino." 

Only Isabelle knew what kind of situation she was stuck in. This man who she had married was the half brother of her cousin, Persephone. Even though Persephone didn't know how she and Isabelle were related, she did and that too very clearly. 

Imagine her awkwardness being married to her cousin's brother! 

Now, you can imagine her awkwardness. 

"You are right," Salvatore replied, without bothering to look at her. "You don't deserve the title." 

"You…"Isabelle was rendered speechless. Nobody has ever insulted her like that again. 

Before she could muster up more words, she heard him saying," I hope you will behave, Isabelle. But if you don't, I have ways to make you. So, don't test my patience." 

With this said, he was gone from her vision. 

Salvatore's phone rang as she exited his bedroom. 

"What?!" He barked. 

"We found her." The person on the other side said. 

"Where?" His eyes turned sharp. 

"Las Vegas. In a hotel room. Apparently, she married another man," the person on the other side said. "Could it be that she always has an affair behind your back?"

"Do I look like I care about this?" He barked once again. Taking deep breaths, he continued, "Look, just protect her. And don't let my father or her father's man find her easily. And that new husband of hers….protect him too. " 

When the call disconnected, Salvatore leaned against the wall and took deep breaths while closing his eyes. The tiredness and helplessness were shown in his eyes when he opened them. 

He was glad for Emma finally finding her happiness. No, he didn't blame her for abandoning him on the altar. It was better that way. If this marriage had really happened, for how long would it have worked? Sure, they wouldn't have ended up divorced sooner or later and that girl's life would have been spoiled. It was better than she left him before he could hurt her. 

He was really his father's son. For a certain goal, he was going to use anyone and anything until he gets what he wants. He didn't care for anyone's emotions or what they thought about him. 

Yet, he couldn't bring himself to hurt that girl. 

As for Isabelle...he knew she wasn't as simple as she looked. He knew his kind and could recognize them in a single glance. 

Isabella was just like him. Hiding behind a facade. However, he was very curious to find just what she was hiding. 

… 

"Papa?" Persephone knocked on the door before entering Alessandro's study. Everyone in the household knew that this place was forbidden for everyone except for him. So, he made sure to ask for his permission before entering it even when she was called by him. 

Only when Alessandro hummed, she walk in. 

"You called for me, Papa?" Persephone asked him. She was curious and a little intimidated to know why her Papa called her. As much as she knew, from the last three days, her papa was extremely busy. He didn't even have the time to eat with them. And it seemed he had just returned home today. 

"How are you?" Alessandro asked her as she stood before him. 

"I'm doing fine," She honestly answered. 

It had been a week since Salvatore's marriage with Isabelle and everything in the house had been awkward. Sometimes, she found herself wondering if Emma had been alright. As much as she remembered, she was not very close to her then why was she worried about her? 

Alessandro asked her to sit while studying her. And naturally, she took the seat before him. 

"What do you think about Scuderis?" Alessandro asked her. 

"Scuderis? Nico's family?" Persephone questioned with furrowed brows. "What about them, Papa? As far as I can say, the recent tragedy that has befallen on the family has damaged them a lot. Nico and Ginevra are dealing with a lot currently." 

Not to mention, Ginevra's recent divorce from her husband for who she had left her family, must have hurt her a lot. Of course, she didn't know the truth of Ginevra's sham of a marriage. 

And when she heard how Nico's parents passed away in an accident, she was left dumbfounded. Weren't they fine when she met them last time? Now thinking about how Scuderi siblings lost their parents were rather pitiful. They must have been hurting a lot now. 

"It seems like you are quite affected by the sudden death of Scuderi elders," Don Marino said thoughtfully. 

"Well, who is not?" Persephone said. 

"Right…"Don Marino was studying her changing expressions. " If you understand their condition so well, don't you think it's your responsibility to bring back the happiness to their family once again?"

"Papa…"Persephone called out his name, knowing where the topic was heading. 

"Listen to me, Percy. There is no point in delaying your wedding with Nicolas. He need a bride and you need him too."

Persephone was quick to retort. "I don't need him."

"You understand nothing, daughter. If I say, you need him, then there is no benefit in cutting my words."

Persephone's face had lost its initial colour. She was lifelessly looking at him. "I don't want to marry him, Papa." She had said in a whisper. 

"You won't be another Emma Costas, will you?" Alessandro directly asked her. 

Persephone found herself failing to reply at this time. This man sitting in front of her was her father. The man she probably loved the most in the world. She couldn't see him hurt and she couldn't refuse any of his wishes too. After her mother, he was her only kin who cared and loved her. 

However, she still couldn't bring herself to say yes to marrying Nico. Earlier, she didn't care this much. But what was happening to her now? Why did the idea of marrying any man disgusted her? 

What just changed now? 

Instinctively, she clutched the sapphire pendant tightly. It's coolness bringing her back to reality. 

She was going mad. She didn't even know what was happening to her. 

"Papa, I need time," This was what she had said before leaving his study. 

"A week. A week is all you have. I want the answer to be yes. And after the week time is over. You will marry Nico and a man will come to ask for Sophia's hand." 

Don Marino's words were ringing in her head. She didn't know why all these kinds of things always happen to her. She just wants to live a peaceful life. Is that too much to ask for? 

"Percy?!"

Persephone looked back to find a panting Sophia calling for her name. 

"What happened?" This half-sister of hers was really confusing at times. 

"Nico is downstairs looking for you," Sophia informed her.

See, wasn't she confusing most of the time? Instead of using the time in seducing her unwanted fiance, Sophia was acting as a messenger. 

"Sophia!"

Sophia was going back after informing her but when she heard Persephone calling for her. She turned back. How long has it been since she talked to her without being disgusted? It was a good feeling, to be honest. 

"Hmm?" Sophia smiled widely at her. 

"Papa is arranging a husband for you."

The smile from Sophia's face faded away instantly as her words settled in her head. 

"Why?" Sophia whispered. "Why must he have to take all our decisions?"

"And he demanded that Nico and I marry within the next week."

Persephone walked leaving a stunned and pale Sophia behind.