The whole of Tokyo was buzzing about them—the marriage of Alexander Gray, the enigmatic, ruthless businessman with a reputation that preceded him, and Isabella De Santos, the Brazilian heiress with a scandal-ridden past. Every newspaper, magazine, and gossip column was talking about them, dissecting their relationship with a level of scrutiny that Isabella had never imagined.
At first, Isabella tried to ignore the whispers, the sidelong glances she received whenever she stepped into a room. She had grown used to the weight of public attention back in Brazil, but this was different. She wasn't just an heiress embroiled in a family scandal anymore; she was Mrs. Alexander Gray, and the entire country was watching her every move.
Even at the office, Isabella had become the talk of the staff. Whispers followed her down the halls, and she could feel eyes on her wherever she went. Yet she maintained her composure, performing her role as Alex's assistant with the same precision as before, if not more. She refused to let the attention affect her, determined to keep her head held high.
But deep down, it was hard not to feel the weight of all the speculation. Especially now, with Sophie back in the picture.
When Alex received an invitation to a high-profile event hosted by a major business conglomerate, Isabella knew they would have to attend together. It was one of those unavoidable public appearances, and as Alex's wife, she had to be by his side.
The night of the event, Isabella found herself staring at her reflection in the mirror, smoothing down the elegant black dress she'd chosen. She wanted to look powerful, composed. A woman worthy of standing next to someone like Alex.
"Ready?" Alex's voice pulled her from her thoughts as he stepped into the room, looking effortlessly handsome in his tailored suit.
Isabella nodded, but inside, she was nervous. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The event was being held at one of Tokyo's most luxurious venues, a glittering affair filled with Japan's elite. The moment they walked into the grand ballroom, the attention of the entire room shifted to them. Isabella could feel the eyes, the whispers, but she kept her head high, staying close to Alex's side.
As they mingled with the other guests, making polite conversation and discussing business deals, Isabella's confidence slowly began to build. She was holding her own, staying poised despite the whispers.
But then, she saw her.
Sophie.
Dressed in a striking red gown that clung to her every curve, Sophie's eyes zeroed in on Alex and Isabella the moment she entered the room. It didn't take long for her to make her way over, her presence like a dark cloud descending upon their evening.
"Alex," Sophie greeted him, her voice syrupy sweet as she ignored Isabella completely. "It's been too long."
Alex's expression remained neutral, but there was a slight tension in his jaw. "Sophie," he said simply, his tone curt. He glanced at Isabella, his hand subtly resting on the small of her back, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Sophie.
Sophie's gaze flicked to Isabella, a sharp smile curling her lips. "Isabella," she said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "How lovely to see you again. I'm surprised you're still in Tokyo. I thought you'd run back to Brazil by now."
Isabella clenched her teeth, but she refused to rise to the bait. "Why would I?" she said smoothly. "I'm exactly where I belong."
The tension between the three of them was palpable. Sophie's eyes flashed with something dark, and for a moment, it looked as though she might cause a scene—just like the last time.
But before she could say anything further, Alex cut her off, his voice hard. "Sophie, if you're here to cause trouble, I suggest you leave. Now."
Sophie's smile faltered, and for a split second, her mask slipped. But she quickly recovered, her eyes narrowing at Isabella. "This isn't over," she hissed under her breath before turning on her heel and walking away, her red dress swishing behind her.
Isabella let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt Alex's hand tighten on her back, a silent gesture of reassurance.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low.
"I'm fine," Isabella replied, though her heart was still racing. "She's just... trying to get under my skin."
Alex's eyes darkened. "She won't succeed."
Isabella nodded, but even as they moved through the rest of the evening, her mind kept replaying Sophie's words. She knew Sophie wouldn't give up easily, and that this wouldn't be the last time they'd have to deal with her.
Still, as the night wore on and they left the event, Isabella realized something. Despite the pressure of being in the public eye, despite the scrutiny and the lingering presence of Sophie, she wasn't alone in this.
Alex was with her, standing by her side through it all.
And as they drove home that night, the city lights flashing by outside the car window, Isabella felt a strange sense of peace. She wasn't sure where her marriage with Alex was headed, but she knew one thing—no matter what challenges came their way, they would face them together.