9 PM...
Isabella stood in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection. She looked stunning in a red nightgown with open shoulders, her hair cascading beautifully in soft waves. Her red lipstick and perfectly applied makeup enhanced her beauty even more.
"Oh God... Should I do this? I feel like I'm selling myself... But... No, I have to do it because I'm his wife..." She exhaled sharply, thinking of Hunter's face. "This is so confusing!"
She clicked her tongue in frustration, her attention diverted by the ringing of her phone on a nearby short bench. She picked it up and saw an incoming call from a contact named Martha.
"Hello?"
"I saw on social media that you married a rich man. How did that happen? You married a wealthy man, but you haven't paid off your debt to me! Did you forget or are you pretending to forget? Do you want me to..."
"I'll send the money as soon as possible," Isabella interrupted before Martha could finish her sentence. "Don't worry..."
"Hmm... I'll add interest," Martha replied, making Isabella frown. "The interest is now five percent, so you need to pay me one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars," she continued.
"Martha, that's insane!" Isabella exclaimed, her eyes wide as she paced around the room. "I only owe about one hundred fifty-five thousand. How can you ask me to pay more? And there was no agreement about adding interest..."
"There was no agreement at first, but I've made new rules for future borrowers that also apply to previous ones, including you!"
"No, I don't want that!"
"You don't have a choice!"
"I can sue you!"
"With what?" Martha asked while Isabella trembled with a tense face. "Wouldn't it be embarrassing if you sued me over such a small amount of money when your husband is so wealthy? It would be humiliating for him... Especially if this issue were taken to the police... It would make your husband look stingy like he doesn't want to help you. And people would understand why I raised the interest, considering how long you've owed me!"
Isabella exhaled harshly. "Martha... Please don't..." She shook her head with a fearful look, already imagining the debt issue spiraling out of control or even being discovered by Hunter's extended family.
"Give me the money quickly, and I want it all at once, no installments!" Martha insisted.
"I can't... I can't pay it all at once!" Isabella responded in a panic, remembering Juliana's promise to only pay one hundred for the first installment.
"Why?"
"Because Mrs. Brown..." Isabella bit her lower lip and couldn't continue. 'Martha must not know that I married only for the money... That could get Hunter in trouble, or even me....'
"Are you afraid to ask your husband for money? Then let me come to you and talk to him... I'll be very polite..."
"No no no!" Isabella shook her head until she suddenly heard the door open. She turned and saw Hunter entering the room, immediately getting out of his wheelchair and locking the door.
"What happened?" Hunter asked.
Isabella froze in nervousness, her hand still holding the phone to her ear.
"I can't negotiate this any longer because I need the money!" Martha exclaimed.
"Yeah... I know, but..." Isabella whispered, unable to finish her sentence as Hunter suddenly snatched the phone from her. "Hunter, don't..." She quickly tried to grab it back, but he raised his hand so she couldn't reach it.
Hunter kept his hand raised, staring at Isabella without fear but also finding her so beautiful and sexy, torn between desire and pity.
"Hunter, please give it to me!" Isabella pleaded.
"I know you're not okay, let your husband handle your problems," he said with a flat expression while Isabella fell silent, stunned. "Stay quiet, I won't make things harder for you!" he added softly but firmly.
Isabella remained silent, moving away from Hunter, who quickly walked to the sofa, still holding the phone. She sat at the vanity table, her heart pounding as she watched her husband begin talking to Martha on the phone, wondering what he was going to do.
"What problem do you have with my wife?" Hunter asked.
"Oh, so you're her husband?" Martha sounded enthusiastic. "I'm Martha Rodrigo from..."
"I don't want to know!" Hunter snapped before Martha could finish. "Tell me the problem!"
"Um, okay..."
"It's... I just want to claim my rights from your wife... I mean, I want her to pay back the money she owes me because I need it. I didn't ask for it earlier because she was going through a tough time, but now I see she's married to you, and I thought you..."
"Just tell me how much she needs to pay to settle everything!" Hunter interrupted, glancing at Isabella, who was watching him with a worried expression.
"It's not much, just two hundred thousand dollars."
"Two hundred?" Hunter frowned, while Isabella immediately stood up. "Alright, send me the account number now... I'll send it..."
"Really..!" Martha sounded surprised.
"Yes... But don't ever bother my wife again, or you'll have to deal with me!" Hunter said, then quickly ended the call and turned to Isabella, who approached him.
"She lied to you!" Isabella exclaimed angrily. "You said two hundred... You're going to pay that much when I only owe about one hundred fifty! You shouldn't do that... No... She's taking advantage of you!" she continued, her breath heavy and her fists clenched.
Hunter remained silent, then pulled Isabella to sit beside him.
Isabella sighed, looking at Hunter awkwardly as his gaze was incredibly intense.
"Hasn't my mother given you any money yet?" Hunter asked.
Isabella just shook her head.
"Oh shit!" Hunter gritted his teeth.
"Maybe... Maybe she forgot or is waiting for the right time," Isabella explained.
"But she should have given it to you, it's your right!"
"I know..."
"Okay..." Hunter took a deep breath, still looking at Isabella with pity, then handed her phone back to her. "Send me that woman's account number."
Isabella took the phone hesitantly, while Hunter immediately took out his phone from his pocket. A few seconds later, her phone vibrated, and she saw a message from Martha, then opened it.
"I'll pay it off," Hunter said as he fiddled with his phone. "Come on, send it quickly... I don't like delays."
Isabella remained silent, checking the contact names on her phone.
"Isabella, please..." Hunter looked at Isabella with frustration. "Let me pay off your debts because I'm your husband. Don't let that woman disturb you... Because it would disturb me too!"
"Yes, I know, but..." Isabella looked at Hunter again. "I don't even have your number..."
Hunter frowned, pulling his head back slightly.
"We haven't shared numbers," Isabella said.
"I'm your husband, and you don't have a boyfriend anymore!" Hunter quickly grabbed Isabella's phone and then typed his number. "A wife must have her husband's phone number... And..."
Isabella glanced at her phone and saw Hunter's fingers typing a name for his contact.
"I think this is a good contact name for a husband..." Hunter smirked with a slight smile, then handed the phone back to Isabella.
Isabella immediately smiled when she saw the contact name was "My Big Baby." She looked at Hunter, who had returned to his stoic expression.
"Why 'big baby'?"
"Because everyone knows I'm your big baby... They think I can't do anything without you," Hunter explained, occasionally glancing at the cleavage between Isabella's breasts, which looked so sexy and shiny. For a moment, he was mesmerized but quickly turned his face away, returning to his phone. "Send me that damn woman's account number... I'll pay off all your debts, but don't tell my mother. Still, take the money from her too," he added.
"But why?" Isabella was taken aback.
"Because I want to..."
"But..." Isabella hesitated.
Hunter looked at her again. "Please don't argue... I'm not in the mood to debate... Remember... I'm your husband!" he whispered firmly.
Isabella took a deep breath, then looked back at her phone and reluctantly sent Martha's account number to Hunter's contact. After that, she remained silent, watching Hunter send the money, but her mind was focused on their future relationship.
'Is he doing this because he's kind and takes our marriage seriously? Or is our marriage really serious? But... But could he love me? Could I love him? And... He's so rich and can pay off my debt in an instant... Maybe someday he could also discard me in an instant when he's bored of me... Because he has the power, he's the dominant one in this relationship... Why does everything feel scarier?' she wondered until Hunter looked at her again, making her a little startled.
"I've paid it," Hunter said.
Isabella nodded. "Thank you..."
"No problem, it's my duty as a husband..."
"Yes... Husband," Isabella whispered awkwardly.
Hunter immediately stood up, then walked toward the bathroom while Isabella looked confused on the sofa.
'Now my problem is solved, and he's the reason... I should reward him... But this isn't a reward, it's his right,' she thought anxiously, then glanced at herself. 'But why didn't he comment on my appearance? Isn't he tempted? Am I not pretty and sexy enough? What if he never really intends to love me... What should I do... Should I tell him I'm ready... But... But what if he refuses, wouldn't that be embarrassing?'