CHAPTER THREE

Isabella's escape from her parent's house was the only way to her freedom at the moment as she couldn't stop thinking of it all night, as she sneaked out of the house making sure there were no traces of her leaving, not even a sound to wake her parents up.

She had gone to Gabriel's house in the early hours of the morning to discuss her plans to travel out of town and go somewhere far away from her parents and Ethan.

She knocked on his door and at first didn't get a response, she tried calling Gabriel but his numbers were switched off.

"What could be happening?, why're his numbers switched off? she asked herself as she continued to knock. She knocked for the second time and this time got a response.

"Who are you and what do you want?" asked Lily, the lady that came to open the door.

"errmm, i want to see Gabriel, is he in?" replied Isabella.

"Yes, he is. come on in" she replied.

The atmosphere in Gabriel's house that morning was quite cold and unfriendly as Lily wasn't taking it easy on Gabriel.

"Who is she?, what does she want?" Lily asked Gabriel angrily.

"she's just a friend, nothing much" replied Gabriel softly as he doesn't want Isabella to hear their conversations.

At this point, Isabella knew she wasn't welcomed in Gabriel's house as she knew Gabriel has been hiding somethings from her, especially the fact that he's married to Lily but she was out of town for some weeks because of work.

Isabella barged in on Lily and Gabriel whilst they were arguing and said "I'll leave now, I didn't know Gabriel was married, he lied to me" she left and never looked back.

Isabella's parents were very worried about their daughter's disappearance and didn't know what to do. They decided to go to Ethan to help them find their daughter.

"We've searched everywhere for her and couldn't find her, we need your help to find her." said Mary, to Ethan.

"not only is your company's fortune on the line, but your lives as well if i don't find my bride-to-be before nightfall"! Ethan threatened Isabella's parents.

Isabella's parents were so scared that they would lose their lives and the fortune of their company's business. Their company was in debt and about to be taken by the bank as they failed to repay the loan they borrowed but Ethan promised to help them get back on their feet but in exchange for their daughter's hand in marriage. They panicked the most when they received a letter of warning from the bank in order to repay their loan.

As Isabella's parents worried and thought of what to do as they got back to their home, they heard a very faint knock on the door, and hurriedly went to check who it was.

"I'm sorry, and willing to marry Ethan" cried Isabella as apologized to her parents for attempting to run away.

"I thought the man I love, loved me back. It was all a lie with him this whole time as he has a wife" she cried shamefully and begged her parents.

The family were happy to be back and complete except Isabella who wasn't really happy but had no choice but to marry Ethan.

"My company is running into debt, but Ethan agreed to help me but in exchange for your hand in marriage, my daughter. i"ll never do anything against your wish or to hurt you, but we need to keep the family's finances alive and it depends on you," Reynolds explained to Isabella, giving her more reasons to marry Ethan.

"but, i should've known about this earlier" Isabella replied

"I'm sorry," Reynolds begged and they hugged.

Isabella's mother, Mary, was filled with so much excitement and anticipation as she planned her daughter's big-day. She spent countless hours choosing the most beautiful flowers, picking the perfect venue. Isabella on the other hand, had just picked a dress from the store, "this should fit '' she said to herself unbothered.

The closer the wedding day got, the more her emotions intensified. She wasn't sure she was ready to be married off to Ethan, but she had to do it, to make her parents happy.

As the day approached, Ethan's parents shared in his excitement offering their love and support. Ethan on the other hand was very happy, not because he wants to get married but because he has a fortune share in his father's company and can only have access to it once he gets married.

Finally the day arrived, and as Isabella and Ethan walked down the aisle, all Isabella's worries melted down a bit as she saw her mother happy and excited to see her daughter get married.

Just as Isabella and Ethan exchanged their vows and had been declared man and wife, a sudden gust of wind swept through the venue. The lights flickered, and went off, the guests turned to see a mysterious figure standing at the entrance. They were all scared as they tried to hide.