Revenge on my wicked stepmom

The estate's hallways were dark, and Isabella's shadows became longer as she crept down the hall. Her heart raced in her chest, and the sound of her footsteps was muffled by the cold marble floors. She didn't mean to listen in, but something made her want to go into the room aheadmaybe curiosity or a feeling of unease that wouldn't go away. She looked around the corner and saw them: her stepmother Seraphina standing by the big window with her back to her. Isabella knew right away that the guy in front of her was Victor Mallory, a lawyer known for being very efficient.

Their voices came through the breach in the door, and their discourse was clear and piercing. I want her out, Seraphina said in a low voice that was full of hate. Victor, I need to get the inheritance. The girl is a pawn, and I'll make sure she stays that way. Isabella's breath caught in her throat, and her skin crawled with rage and bewilderment. As the words set in, the air in the corridor felt denser, like it was going to make me sick. She held on to the door frame, and her knuckles turned white. Are you sure she'll sign? Victor asked, sounding more inquisitive than worried. Oh, she'll sign, Seraphina said in a voice that sounded like ice. I'll convince her that it's in her best interest. She doesn't know enough to see through me. I'll be in charge completely after she's gone. The estate will be mine. Isabella felt like the words were stabbing her like a knife, and each one cut deeper than the last. She couldn't think or breathe. She had to face her stepmother now, before the treachery become too heavy for her to handle. Isabella opened the door with a shaking hand and stepped inside. She looked at Seraphina's cold, calculating face. Is this what you've always wanted to do? Isabella's voice shook, but her eyes were full of rage. For a minute, Seraphina's face showed her feelings, but she immediately hid them and turned to face her stepdaughter. She added in a calm voice, You shouldn't eavesdrop, Isabella. It doesn't look good. Isabella shot out, I'm not the one who's pretending to be family. Her heart raced. You're trying to get rid of me, aren't you? Just as you always wanted. A piece in your game. Victor's eyes darted to the entrance, but Seraphina kept his attention with a quick motion. That's enough, Isabella, she murmured, her voice colder than ever. You're just a burden. A name written down. That's all you'll ever be. Isabella's vision become blurry with wrath as she turned around and slammed the door behind her. Her blood was boiling, and every muscle was tense with rage. Isabella ran down the hall, breathing in short, quick bursts. She wanted to go outdoors into the chilly air, but she couldn't escape the feeling that she was suffocating. Her heart raced in her chest, and each beat echoed in her ears as she pushed past the big doors and into the garden, which was calm. The stress was too much. She stopped, and her hands turned into fists at her sides. How could her stepmother treat her this way? Wasn't she already in enough pain because of her harsh, controlling rule? The inheritance, which was their house, was hers by birth. Not Seraphina, but it was hers. Isabella thought to herself, I can't let her get away with this, as the evening air made her breath foggy. The heaviness of her choice made her feel bad, yet the idea of silently giving up made her blood boil. They weren't going to throw her away. Not like this. Determined, she turned back towards the door, but stopped when she saw her stepmother standing at the doorway with an unreadable look on her face. There was no sign of Victor Mallory. Seraphina murmured in a quiet, almost too calm voice, You shouldn't have heard. But now that you know, I guess we should talk. Isabella's fists were tight, and her nails dug into her palms. She said, A conversation? Are you going to tell me how you're going to take everything from me? How I'm only a piece in your game? Seraphina's eyes lit up, and a small, sly smile spread across her lips. You are so dramatic. But you'll get it eventually. You don't know the truth. Isabella stepped closer and said, I see enough. I know exactly who you are. Seraphina's smile went away and was replaced by a cold glare. I'm giving you an option, Isabella. Be wise. Take your place, or lose everything. Isabella had no doubt after hearing the finality in her voice. The woman in front of her was not a mother. She was a predator, and Isabella was her victim. But she wasn't going to give in. No, Isabella responded, her voice calm even though she was angry. I'm not going anywhere. Seraphina's look became hard. Then you'll be sorry for this. Isabella didn't move. She turned quickly and went away, her mind already racing with what was about to happen. The door slammed shut behind Isabella, and the sound echoed through the big, empty hallways. She could sense the raw emotions inside herhurt, rage, betrayalbut there was something more than that. It felt like something that had to happen. She couldn't go back. She couldn't stop thinking about the inheritance, the estate, and the power Seraphina was trying to take from her. She thought the walls were closing in on her. The ground beneath her feet was changing, and the uncertainty of it all was too much for her. Isabella said under her breath, I won't let her win. Her steps were rapid and sharp as she walked down the magnificent staircase. She saw the open doors and the cool night called to her, giving her a chance to go away for a time. She walked into the garden, and the cool air felt good on her skin. But as she inhaled to calm herself down, she heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling onto the estate. She looked briefly at the entryway. A sleek, black car stopped, and a towering figure stepped out of the shadows, his outline clear against the fading light. Nathaniel Hawke. Isabella stopped moving. She didn't think he would get there so soon. individuals knew about him before they met him. He was a powerful man who could make or shatter even the strongest individuals. His dark, penetrating gaze grabbed hers from far away, and for a minute, all else appeared to disappear. But before she could do anything, before she could say anything, she turned away, her feelings rushing down like a tsunami. Nathaniel watched her, but she didn't turn around. Not yet. As her body sank into the shadows, the heaviness of what she had just learnt settled in her chest.