As the car sped through the empty streets of Rio, Isabella's mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. The night had been one of chaos, betrayal, and public humiliation—exactly the kind of spectacle she had once dreaded. But as the adrenaline from the evening began to fade, Isabella found herself thinking back to the moment when Victoria's world came crashing down.
Her older sister, always so composed and manipulative, had been exposed for the fraud she truly was. The same woman who had turned Isabella's life upside down, falsely accusing her of an affair with Marco, was now the subject of whispers and scandal. For the first time in years, Victoria was no longer in control. And it felt good—really good.
Isabella's heart skipped a beat as the realization hit her: she had wanted this. The part of her that was hurt and betrayed had reveled in seeing Victoria feel the same pain she had inflicted. For years, Isabella had been the innocent one, always seeking peace, always yearning for reconciliation. But tonight, for the first time, she had felt a dark, secret satisfaction watching her sister fall apart.
She glanced at Alexander, his strong profile illuminated by the dim city lights. He had done this—pulled the strings, set the plan in motion, and unleashed a storm of retribution on her family. At first, she had been horrified by the lengths he had gone to, the cruelty of his tactics. But now, as the night settled around them, she couldn't deny the truth that lingered in her heart.
Maybe Alexander was right. Maybe revenge was the only way to survive in a world like this.
"You're quiet," Alexander said, his voice breaking the silence. He didn't look at her, but she could feel his presence, commanding and all-consuming.
Isabella hesitated before answering, unsure of how to voice what she was feeling. "I'm just… processing everything."
Alexander's gaze remained fixed on the road, but there was an edge to his tone when he spoke again. "You hated what I did, didn't you? You think I'm a monster."
Isabella bit her lip, her thoughts spinning. She had hated it at first—the ruthlessness, the cold calculation with which he had taken down her family. But now, after seeing Victoria humiliated, after watching her father fume in helpless rage, a part of her felt something else. Relief. Justice. Perhaps even… gratitude.
"I thought I would hate it," Isabella admitted softly, her eyes flickering toward Alexander. "But… I don't."
That made him turn. He looked at her, really looked at her, with something like surprise in his eyes. "You don't?"
She shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. "No. Victoria… she destroyed my life. She set me up, made everyone think I was having an affair with Marco. She turned our family against me, and I had to leave everything behind because of her lies."
Alexander's expression remained unreadable, but she could sense his interest, the way his attention had sharpened. "And now?" he asked quietly.
Isabella swallowed, her throat dry. "Now, she knows how it feels. She finally knows what it's like to lose everything. To be humiliated. To have people look at you with judgment and disgust. And… part of me is glad. I know that's wrong, but I can't help it."
A silence fell between them, heavy with the weight of her confession. For so long, Isabella had clung to the idea that she could escape, that she could run away from the dark world Alexander inhabited. But now, for the first time, she was beginning to see things differently. The rules of her old life didn't apply here. In this world, power and survival meant everything. And perhaps Alexander, for all his flaws, was the only one who could protect her from it.
He had caused her harm, yes. He had manipulated her, used her for his own purposes. But he had also defended her, stood by her side, and avenged her in a way no one else had ever done. In a twisted, complicated way, Alexander had become her protector.
"I don't want to run anymore," Isabella said quietly, the words surprising even her.
Alexander's gaze sharpened. "What are you saying?"
She met his eyes, her voice steady. "I was planning to leave you. I thought I could escape, go back to my old life, away from all of this. But after tonight… I'm not so sure anymore. I'm not sure I can survive in that world without you."
Something flickered in Alexander's eyes—pride, perhaps, or satisfaction. "You're finally starting to understand."
Isabella nodded, though she wasn't sure if she was proud of this newfound understanding or frightened by it. "You were right," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "My family… they never cared about me. They were only using me, just like they always have. And Victoria—she would have destroyed me if she had the chance. You were the only one who stood up for me."
Alexander's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "I told you I wouldn't let them hurt you again."
She took a deep breath, her thoughts swirling. Everything was changing—her perception of Alexander, of herself, of the world she had once thought she could escape. The truth was, she wasn't sure who she was anymore. But one thing had become painfully clear: she couldn't fight this alone.
"I won't run," Isabella said, her voice resolute. "Not anymore.
Alexander's hand found hers, his grip firm and possessive. "You're mine, Isabella," he murmured, his voice dark with promise. "And I protect what's mine."
Isabella shivered at the intensity in his gaze, but she didn't pull away. For better or worse, she had made her choice. Alexander was dangerous, yes. But in this world, she needed someone dangerous on her side.
As the car sped toward the hotel, Isabella leaned back against the seat, her mind already working to accept this new reality. She didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: she would no longer be a victim. Not to her family, not to her past, and not to anyone who tried to hurt her again.
And with Alexander by her side, she would make sure of that.