In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance

Chapter 69: His Unusual Cruelty

Chapter 69: His Unusual Cruelty

Emanuele, wearing a black overcoat, strode in through the door, his tall figure commanding attention. He exuded an icy aura, as if he could freeze anyone in their tracks with a mere look. However, when he approached, he greeted Sophia and Grazia with warm hugs.

"Oh, Emanuele, I thought you were too busy to make it today," Sophia said, pleasantly surprised.

"It's our weekly gathering. How could I miss it?" Emanuele replied.

After embracing his family, he approached Isabella.

Isabella nervously gazed at Emanuele, her throat dry. She wanted to ask him questions, but there were too many people around, and she had to hold her tongue.

Emanuele's demeanor remained composed, as though nothing had happened between them. He reached out and gave Isabella a brief hug before letting her go. Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

They started their dinner as usual, with Emanuele still seated next to Isabella.

"Yesterday was Isabella's graduation ceremony, and we couldn't attend. What a shame," Grazia sighed. The timing was indeed not ideal. Going to the graduation ceremony now could provoke their enemies to take desperate measures to destroy them.

They had to act separately to prevent any harm from reaching them.

"It's okay. I was able to attend my graduation ceremony on my own, so I have no regrets," Isabella replied with a cheerful smile. Though she felt the absence of her mother and Grazia was a letdown, she was content with being able to attend the ceremony herself.

Yet, deep down, Isabella still felt wronged. She had been forced into the world of the mafia and longed for a way out. But there was no turning back now, and she couldn't live like an ordinary person anymore. It was a heavy burden for her to carry, and it weighed on her heart.

As they enjoyed the meal and engaged in casual conversation, avoiding discussions about the current situation, Isabella kept a close eye on Emanuele. When he sat beside her in the past, he often teased her, but today he was unusually well-behaved. This heightened Isabella's anxiety.

What did Emanuele mean by this change? Did he lose interest in her after what happened between them last night?

Finally, the dinner came to an end, and Isabella turned to Emanuele. "I want to talk to you."

Emanuele nodded and announced to the group, "Isabella and I have something to discuss."

He led Isabella to his study and closed the door behind them. Isabella's eyes burned with intensity as she confronted him. Her gaze was as fiery as the sun, and Emanuele was momentarily taken aback.

"Tell me, what is our relationship now?" Isabella demanded.

Emanuele, after pausing briefly, replied calmly, "Aren't we still step-siblings?"

Those seemingly casual words from Emanuele plunged Isabella into an icy abyss. She felt a chill run through her body, and her breathing became labored.

"Aren't we still step-siblings?"

Was their relationship really that simple? What about the madness of last night? Was it merely about Emanuele satisfying his desires?

"Isabella, we're both adults. You seemed quite comfortable last night, didn't you? However, you must marry Clark. He'll be here in a week, and I expect you to marry him immediately and go to Canada with him," Emanuele said, calculating his strategy to deal with the Sicilian mob.

Isabella took a few steps back, staring at the man before her as if he were a stranger. So, now that their desires had waned, was all that remained the brutal reality?

Their relationship had never truly changed, and they were back to being enemies, with only hatred and anger between them. Isabella, her eyes filled with fiery rage, looked at Emanuele and said, "I will not marry Clark!"

"It's not your decision, Isabella. I suggest you obey me before you provoke my anger," Emanuele replied coldly, like ice.

"Even if I have to die, I won't agree to what you're saying!" Isabella retorted, and in an instant, she fled the study, fearing that Emanuele might lose his temper and harm her.

She escaped from the Lombardi family compound, but just as she stepped outside, someone grabbed her. She was forcefully pushed into an SUV.

The man inside the vehicle glared at her angrily. "Isabella, don't think that last night's experience changes my determination."

"Isn't that enough? You, bastard, you tortured me ruthlessly, and now you want to give me away!" Isabella stared at Emanuele, and to be honest, at that moment, she felt an intense urge to sink her teeth into him. Her gaze was unwavering as she continued, as though she had suddenly seen through Emanuele's true motivations.

"Is it because you've found yourself hopelessly addicted to my body, that you can't bear to be without me, so you want to get rid of me before you lose your rationality?" Isabella locked her angry

and sorrowful eyes onto Emanuele, pushing him to the edge. Right then, all she wanted was to tear everything apart.

Isabella continued to provoke Emanuele, flooding him with her anger and sorrow, her emotions pushing her to the brink.

Soon, she noticed that Emanuele's fury was rising. His lips quivered with anger, and his breathing quickened. He declared, "You're right; indeed, I desire your body. Your body tempts me. However, that's all it is."

His light brown eyes gradually darkened in color as he spoke. He continued coldly, "Young women like you are a dime a dozen. Do you think I genuinely care about you? Don't overestimate yourself! With a snap of my fingers, countless women would crawl into my bed."

"Isabella, marrying Clark, a young and handsome mob boss, is the best choice I can offer you. Or do you want to marry an old bastard?" Emanuele looked at Isabella, struggling to contain his anger.

Isabella fell into a state of panic due to Emanuele's words, and her sorrow pierced her like a thousand needles, making her feel physical pain. Breathing became increasingly difficult.

Isabella somehow found the strength to push Emanuele away, and she hurried back to her own car. After shutting the door and blocking Emanuele from her view, she still felt tense. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and her breathing grew labored.

She frantically searched her bag for estazolam, but in her state, the pills rolled under the car. Tony, seeing her struggle, picked them up, opened the bottle, and handed her one.

Isabella swallowed the pill, and its effects started to soothe her. Finally, she could breathe normally. Tears streamed down her face, and she felt utterly devastated. She had never imagined that Emanuele would be so heartless, arranging for her to marry another man the day after he had her.