Female Novel
Chapter 2: He'S Her Stepbrother?
Chapter 2: He's Her Stepbrother?
"God, spare her," Isabella murmured a prayer under her breath, her heart steeped in despair as ifDeath himself had once again swung his scythe in her direction.
"Isabella, you look as pale as a ghost. What's the matter?" Grazia's eyes filled with worry as shenoticed the distress etched across Isabella's face.
Shaking her head slightly, Isabella tried to mask her vulnerability. However, when the man's gazesuddenly fell upon her, it was as if a vice had clamped around her throat, squeezing the air out ofher lungs. She felt like a fish stranded on dry land, gasping desperately for breath with each attemptto open her mouth.
Her reaction was always the same when she was faced with an unavoidable danger – a suffocatingsense of being a fish out of water, struggling to breathe even as she gasped for air. She was timidand fearful, her courage long since drained away by the relentless torment she had suffered livingwith her aunt and cousin.
As Isabella grappled with her inner demons, she saw a smile crack across Emanuele's icy visage. Itwas a strange smile, one that sent a shiver down her spine. He recognized her, too! The realizationhit her like a freezing tidal wave, causing her muscles to tense involuntarily. She felt a sudden fearthat this man might gun her down right there in front of everyone.
The people around them were blissfully unaware of the silent standoff between them. Graziaapproached Emanuele first, wrapping him in a hug. He kissed the top of her head, murmuring,"Sorry I'm late."
Afterward, Emanuele embraced Sophia. Then, Sophia, taking Isabella by the hand, led her towardsEmanuele.
"Emanuele, meet my daughter, Isabella Gould. She will be your sister from now on."
"Sister," Emanuele echoed the word, as if grappling to comprehend it. The strange smile stilllingered on his face, his eyes swirling with a dark, hidden intent. He extended his hand towardsIsabella. "Isabella, it's good to meet you."
Isabella stared at Emanuele's large, sturdy hand, the very same one that had been drenched inblood not long ago, the hand that had taken a man's life without remorse, and had nearly taken hersas well. Her stomach churned in discomfort. How could she possibly summon the courage to shakehands with Emanuele?novelbin
She couldn't understand her mother's decision, why she would choose to marry a retired mafia bosswhen she was still young, beautiful, and had so many better options. Marrying into such a familywas akin to stepping into the depths of hell, and as Sophia's daughter, Isabella had no choice but toface the wide-open gates of the underworld.
The man standing before her was her grim welcome.
Seeing Isabella's hesitation to shake his hand, Emanuele's eyebrows knitted together, a frowntugging at the corners of his mouth. His irritation was palpable, though he managed to keep it incheck.
"Since we're going to be family, I'll overlook this small breach of etiquette," Emanuele stated.
Isabella had hardly breathed a sigh of relief when Emanuele suddenly drew her into an embrace.His hold was firm and unyielding. As her cheek brushed against the rigid fabric of his suit, she
winced slightly. His overpowering masculine scent, a mix of woody cologne and the faint, elusivescent of blood, enveloped her, overwhelming her senses.
"But only this once," Emanuele's hot breath tickled Isabella's ear as he whispered in a low growl, "Iregret not killing you when I had the chance."
With just those words, Isabella's body tensed up. She couldn't help but recall the near-deathexperience from earlier. It made her want to scream and run away from here.
Emanuele released her just as quickly as he had embraced her, leaving Isabella to regain hersenses.
"Let's eat!" Grazia urged Isabella, guiding her towards the dining room. Sophia and Leo followedclosely behind.
"Don't be scared of Emanuele," Grazia tried to comfort a visibly shaken Isabella. "He may seemintimidating, but he's actually a good person."
Isabella couldn't help but scoff inwardly. Good person? The man was a devil in disguise!
Regret washed over Isabella. Why did she have to be here, in this situation? Even with her backturned to him, she could feel Emanuele's gaze on her, his eyes piercing her like those of avenomous snake, making her feel like she had no escape.
Despite her best efforts to ignore Emanuele, his presence was an undeniable force. He was like aCategory 5 hurricane, impossible to disregard even when he was standing still.
The house was grandiose, the luxury she had witnessed in the living room carried through to thedining room.
In contrast to the small, round dining table at her family's home, this one was long and adorned withan extravagant feast. Candlesticks with slowly burning candles were arranged neatly, and a vasefilled with fresh roses and lilies, their petals glistening with dewdrops, sat in the center of the table.
Leo motioned for the servants to pour the champagne, announcing, "From tonight onwards, we'reall family."
The scene was picture-perfect, setting the stage for a pleasant dinner. But Isabella's appetite haddeserted her, especially when Emanuele chose to sit beside her, disregarding the sprawling tableand numerous vacant seats.
Before sitting, he had politely asked, "You wouldn't mind if I sit next to you, would you?"
Isabella wanted to express her discomfort, but she held back. It was her first meal with her motherand stepfather, and she didn't want to cause a scene or embarrass her mother.
"I don't mind," Isabella managed to utter, her words slow and deliberate.
Emanuele seemed amused by her response. His demeanor became more relaxed, his hand restingcasually on the back of her chair. When he thought no one was watching, he gently ran his fingersdown her back.
She was small, but her figure was well-defined. Through her thin clothing, he could feel the softnessof her back, the faint warmth seeping through, reminding him of a kitten, and he found himselfreluctant to stop.
His gaze roamed over her chest without shame. Despite her modest attire, he could still discern theshape of her breasts, rising and falling with each breath.
Isabella felt a surge of annoyance at his touch and shot him a glare, "Please, respect me!"
Even a cornered rabbit would bite when threatened. She might be scared, but she wasn't spineless.
Emanuele, however, found her reactions amusing. Her fragile frame, her petite stature, her delicateneck – it looked as if he could snap it with a mere flick of his fingers. She appeared less of a threatand more like a cute, frightened animal in his eyes.
Emanuele scoffed at her audacity. This little thing had no idea of her place, daring to challenge him?The last person who had had the audacity to cross him ended up as dinner for the dogs.
With these chilling thoughts swirling in his mind, Emanuele reached out, his hand closing aroundthe back of Isabella's neck.