Chapter Two
Isobel
Aweek ago, I stillhad my job.I was struggling to make the payments for the estate’s debts.My life was chaotic, but I still had the free will to curl up on the couch on a random night and get absorbed in fictional books until I barely got any sleep and was running on fumes the following morning.I had the freedom to stay up by the balcony and finish a glass of old wine from the cellar without feeling guilty.
But now, everything had changed.
I no longer owed the bank.I was supposed to have gotten that freedom I desperately sought, but instead, I was stuck in more bondage than ever.
I signed a deal with the devil and sold my soul to him.
I belonged to him now.
I ran my fingers over the intricate details of my Chantilly wedding dress that molded against my curves.From its long sleeves, fitted bodice, and dipping neckline that flaunted a generous amount of my cleavage to the way it flared out from my knees in a pool of lace, forming a silhouette behind me.My long veil with lace hems added more volume to the silhouette of the dress.My red hair was tucked into a low bun, and the red lipstick I opted for added more dramatic flair to my appearance.
A woman’s wedding day was supposed to be one of her happiest days in life, but mine was a stark reminder of the fact that my fate was sealed and signed, and I had sold my soul to the devil.
“Can I come in now?”The cheery and enthusiastic voice of my best friend reached my ears from the door.
“Yes.”I pushed back the tears threatening to spill.
The door cracked open, and her presence was revealed behind me.
Maria looked like a seductress in her red maid-of-honor dress.I had given her the freedom to do whatever she wanted.It wasn’t like it was a real wedding anyway, and far be it from me to confine Maria.
Her blonde hair was curled into loose beach waves, stylishly dropping to her shoulder.The red satin dress stretched around her curvaceous frame with a stylish off-the-shoulder neck, illusion sleeves, and a high slit that ran up to her mid-thigh.
“Oh, you look amazing,” she whispered.
I spun around, and she took my hand in hers, squeezing it gently.Her blue eyes gleamed with so much softness.
“Mama would be so proud if she were here.”
“I’m glad she’s not.”My throat closed up.“This wedding is a recipe for disaster.”
Maria sighed.“It got you out of the debt.If it weren’t for this marriage, I don’t really know how you’d be able to clear the debts.I have told you to look on the bright side.”
Maria was the only family I had left.I wasn’t going to get married without telling her whether it was real or not.Maria didn’t judge me or criticize my choices.She knew how important keeping the estate was to me.Thus, when I told her I was marrying a man who proposed a ridiculous arrangement, she didn’t question my decision.She understood me and let me do what pleased me.
“Take a deep breath.”She squeezed our fingers.
I smiled, drawing in a deep breath and slowly puffing it out.
“You are Isobel Dupont, and this is one of life’s many ridiculous lemons that you are going to make lemonade out of.Do you understand me?”Her voice was stern now.
I nodded.
“Good.Now let’s go get you married.”She grinned.
