Twisted Ties of Love

Brett had resigned to his fate; in Izabella's eyes, no matter what he did, he was inherently despicable. Since she had pegged him as the villain, no amount of effort on his part would change her mind. Besides, it was only under these circumstances that Izabella would stay by his side, even if just for a while.

He didn't care if his methods were good or bad; as long as they worked, that was enough.

He was domineering, possessive, and a daydreamer, lost in his own fantasies.

Brett tidied up the rug and, carrying the bowl, left the bedroom. He went downstairs and placed the empty bowl in the sink. Taking a deep breath, he couldn't help but let out a wry smile, Izabella's hateful glare burned into his mind.

He returned to his study, filled with books and documents Izabella had left behind. The bookshelf was dusty, except for one clean spot where a photo album lay.

Brett skillfully picked up the album and began flipping through it, so familiar with its contents he even knew the order of the photos by heart. The album, brought back from J City, contained pictures of Izabella at various ages, including their wedding photos.

After looking through it from beginning to end, Brett opened a drawer under his desk and pulled out his phone, which had been off and uncharged for a week. Plugging it in, the screen lit up with missed calls and messages. He set it to Do Not Disturb, cleared the missed calls, and skimmed through the texts.

One message caught his eye, from someone named Bunny.

"We need to talk."

Brett stared at those four simple words, his emotions unreadable. After a while, he made a call to set up a meeting.

The next morning, while Izabella was still in bed, footsteps approached the door, pausing for a few seconds before the sound of the door opening.

Startled awake, Izabella turned her head, her eyes alert and devoid of sleepiness.

"I've got to step out for a bit today. You stay home and take care," he said.

Izabella asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

"You came here willingly, why should I worry about you running away?" Besides, if Izabella really wanted to leave, he couldn't stop her.

At this critical moment, Izabella wouldn't leave.

"Where are you going?"

"Just out to pick up some things, and I'll be back soon." Brett kept his gaze fixed on Izabella, waiting for her response.

For a moment, Izabella thought about joining Brett outside; it had been a week since she arrived, and she yearned to catch a glimpse of Casey from afar.

But what good would it do? She had signed the divorce papers, and for all she knew, there was nothing left between her and Casey.

She feared facing Casey's looks, even if expressionless; she had no idea how to respond.

Brett waited but received no response from Izabella. "I'm off then. Breakfast is ready downstairs; make sure to eat. I don't want to force-feed you like I did yesterday."

This time, Izabella unexpectedly watched Brett leave, not turning away until the door closed, not snapping out of it until she heard the sound of car engine fade away. Brett drove to a tea house he had reserved the night before. Upon arrival, he told the front desk and was escorted to a private room.

Bunny was already there, having ordered tea and some pastries, apparently not having eaten breakfast yet.

Seeing Brett, Bunny stood up, awkwardly, despite being the elder, she seemed out of place before Brett. "Have you had breakfast?"

"I have," Brett replied coldly before sitting down and getting straight to the point, "So, what's this about?"

Ever since Brett's parents passed

away, he had been distant with all members of the Windham family. Bunny had tried to make amends using various methods, but Brett had remained unresponsive, visiting her only when necessary.

Now Bunny hesitated, unsure how to address him. Calling him by his first name seemed too informal, and "President Windham" too distant.

As the morning sunlight began to filter through, Brett ordered a cup of tea, his voice and demeanor chilly and unapproachable.

Once the tea was served and the waitstaff had left, Bunny finally spoke up. She pulled out a folder and opened it, revealing a stack of documents. "Take a look at this," she urged.

Brett took the folder, glanced at its contents, and looked up with an inscrutable expression, "What are you implying?"

What Bunny presented was the entire share portfolio of the Dempsey family's assets. With Brett's signature, the Dempsey Group would change hands immediately.

"You've been pressuring the

Dempsey Group, hoping to make us

choose between our family business

and Izabella, right?" Bunny said calmly. After discussing it with my family we've decided to trade all of the Dempsey family's wealth to get Izabella back. I know she's been with you all this time, and only you have the means to hide her from us."

Brett's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Bunny, "Are you really willing to trade decades of the Dempsey family's assets, worth billions, for someone you claim is insignificant?"

"She's not insignificant; Izabella is family. And for family, what's money worth, anyway?"