Chapter 5

I couldn't believe it. My life had been ruined by their precious son and all they cared about was getting back the money they had spent on the wedding? Hell, Max had paid for everything alright—out of our joint savings account! Hell knew I contributed to that account more than he did.

"What are you getting at?" Dad finally asked openly.

"It would be alright if the children planned to stay together but in a divorce settlement, there is no winner. It will only make sense if the cartier family reimbursed the expenses my son incurred while planning the wedding." Mr. Robinson demanded.

"And if not?" Mom asked with a hint of threat in her voice.

"Then we will have no choice but to sue Isabella for the damages she has caused by ruining our family's reputation. I'm sorry."

"While at it, remember to sue that asshole for making a clown out of my sister." A growl resounded from the entrance and I froze. Rhys was here. This was not going to end well. When I turned, I realized he was not on his own. Dexter and Carson were a step behind him and Misael looked down from the mezzanine. This had just gotten four times more interesting.

"This is not about your marriage, Rhys." Max was quick to try to get my eldest brother out of the picture.

"Of course not. You would been six feet underground if it was. But since it's not…" He waved to Carson, who slapped a folder onto the table. "These are all the damages my sister has sustained thanks to your son's behaviour."

"Rhys, what are you doing?" Mom tried to stop him, earning his glare.

"This would not be happening if it wasn't for you. Stay out of this." He growled and turned back to the Robinsons. "Due to emotional distress, she had to fly to Italy to clear her mind. All the details of the money she spent are right here."

Mr. Robinson was baffled. "Ten million dollars?"

"What do you know? My sister likes everything top quality. She may also have to set up an appointment with a shrink to help her deal with the trauma of finding out her husband is a fraud. She will spend five million dollars doing so."

He went on to list ridiculous charges that the Robinsons had to pay, efficiently making them shut up—at least for now. I couldn't help hugging my brother. "Thank you, Rhys."

He let out a breath. "Let me handle this. Go to a hotel for tonight. Or if you want, you can stay at my place for a few days. You know where to find the key, right?"

I nodded and glanced at my parents. Perhaps they would be upset about me spending the night at a hotel. I was yet to explain when I caught them exchanging a strange glance.

Dexter finally spoke up from behind Rhys. "Misa, a word?"

My brothers then gathered at the front yard. I knew they were going to talk about me even though they didn't say it. It pissed me off that they thought they could discuss my life in my absence.

"What now?" I heard Carson ask in a hushed tone as I approached.

"Get that idiot to sign the papers." Dexter gritted his teeth. "But the prenup…"

"Maybe we should have a special chat with our dear brother-in-law first. What do you know about the other woman, Misa?"

They all shut up when the door opened behind them and they saw me. Shocked by my presence, they pretended to talk about football.

"Guys, I can make my own decisions, you know." I glared at them. "I don't need you babysitting me."

Rhys crossed his arms as he turned to look at me. "Oh yeah? The last time we let you control your own life, you threw it all away by signing a stupid prenup that stated you would lose everything you own if you initiated a divorce. What were you thinking?"

"She wasn't. She wouldn't be in this situation if half of her brain cells were functioning." Carson seconded. My face burned. I knew they meant well but I couldn't take this.

"Guys, I know you mean well, but I don't need this." I insisted.

"Of course you do. Our parents think it's best if you got back together with that bloke. Come here." Dexter pulled me over. "I know you think we are meddling but I will die before I let the Robinsons continue to take advantage of my sister."

My sister. It was odd to hear Dexter call me that. None of my brothers had been supportive of my relationship with Max. Dexter had tried his best to pull us apart and it had eventually caused a strain in our relationship for years.

"Are you spending the night at my house?" Rhys asked for confirmation.

It was still early in the afternoon but he knew I would not be comfortable being here for a second more than I needed to be. I shook my head decisively. "I'll find a hotel room."

He nodded and dug into his pocket for his wallet, took out a credit card and gave it to me. "Use this."

"I have my own money, brother." I reminded him. He insisted, so I kept his credit card for emergencies. "Thank you."

"I'll drive you." Misael naturally offered.

"Thanks, but you have been taking care of me long enough. I'll get a cab."

He would have insisted if Rhys didn't put his hand on his shoulder. I saw his hesitance but after Carson said something I couldn't hear, they resumed their discussion and let me hail a cab out of my parents' compound.

…..

I'd high-tailed it out of my parents' house again and I didn't regret it. At least I didn't have to face Max. When he realized I was leaving, he'd tried to stop me and thanks to my brothers who acted as a human shield while pretending to mind their own business, I didn't have to talk to him.

I let out a breath when I finally made it to the first hotel that had a vacancy. I was lucky to get one of the remaining two rooms. I made it to the reception before they were taken and quickly slid my card over the counter. "Isabella Cartier. I booked online."

I was quick to thank the receptionist when he gave me a card, only to realize it was my credit card and not my room access card.

"I'm sorry. The card was declined." He shook his head.

"What? How's that possible?" I had barely touched my earnings from my fashion design business in months. I'd never had to, considering my parents still sent hefty sums to the account I had used growing up. I'd decided to use my own account this once and somehow, it was inaccessible?

I rummaged through my purse for the card linked to my old account and gave it to him. Maybe because it was a platinum card, he was as puzzled as I was when it was declined.

"Miss, you may want to contact your bank for this."

I nodded, and tried my last resort. When the payment was made successfully from the card Rhys had given me, it confirmed the conclusion I had tried so hard not to draw. My accounts had been frozen.