Chapter 5
710words
Donna Isabella’s cane slammed hard against the marble floor, the sharp crack echoing through the hall.
The family dinner was being held in the estate’s main dining room—a place that symbolized the Falcone family’s power and authority. Normally, it exuded elegance and grace, but now, that atmosphere was completely shattered.
Leia was still wearing that revealing slip dress, showing no intention of toning it down. Worse still, fresh marks covered her shoulders and arms, glaringly obvious under the evening light.
“A Falcone woman represents the family’s dignity and honor when she steps outside,” Donna Isabella snapped coldly. “Not a prostitute!”
Her voice was heavy with authority. Even at seventy, Donna Isabella commanded absolute silence. No one at the table dared meet her gaze as her sharp, hawk-like eyes swept over everyone present.
Leia hurried to explain, her voice trembling with sobs. “Mamma Isabella, I only wanted to give the family an heir as soon as possible to continue the Falcone bloodline–”
“Enough!” Donna Isabella cut her off, fury blazing as her cane struck the floor again. “Behavior like this only tells the world that the Falcone family has no discipline and standards!”
At that moment, the truth beneath the table unfolded clearly in my mind.
Arnold was pressing the sharp tip of his fork hard into Leia’s calf. The pain was intense enough to make cold sweat bead on her skin, but she didn’t dare make a sound.
‘You b*tch. You embarrassed me in front of everyone.’ The rage in his thoughts was far more terrifying than the gentle mask on his face. ‘When we get back to the room, I’ll teach you what real rules are. Last night’s lesson clearly wasn’t harsh enough.’
Leia clenched her teeth, enduring the pain in silence.
‘Why is Arnold treating me like this?’ she cried silently. ‘I wore this dress because he told me to. Why is it my fault now?’
Her confusion and fear made one thing painfully clear: she had no idea what kind of man she had married. In front of her, Arnold was attentive and gentle, but behind closed doors, he was a controlling, sadistic monster. I knew this better than anyone because that was exactly how I had lived in my last life, while everyone else believed I had married the perfect gentleman.
“Enough.” Donna Isabella raised her hand, putting an end to the scene. “Arnold, keep your wife under control.”
“Yes, Mamma,” Arnold replied politely, nodding with apparent humility. “I’ll make sure she’s properly taught.”
However, his thoughts were gleeful. ‘Serves you right. Seeing you humiliated like this makes me happy. This is what happens when you don’t obey.’
The dinner officially began, though the tension still lingered in the air.
Caspian calmly cut my steak for me, his movements smooth and natural, then poured me a glass of water without being asked. When Donna Isabella saw that, a satisfied smile finally appeared on her face, the tightness in her expression easing.
“Elysia,” she said, “after dinner, go with Caspian to oversee our gallery on the Gold Coast.”
Her tone softened, but her authority remained unquestionable. “As the future lady of the Falcone family, you must learn how to manage the family’s assets.”
This was a rare opportunity, one that granted real power.
In my previous life, Leia had refused that exact offer. She was afraid of responsibility, thinking that managing a business was too troublesome. In the end, she was pushed to the margins of the family, living entirely at Caspian’s mercy.
I wouldn’t make the same mistake.
“Yes, Mamma Isabella,” I replied respectfully, my voice steady and confident.
Isabella nodded in approval. “Very good. You’re far more capable and far more sensible than certain people.”
Her gaze flicked meaningfully toward Leia, who lowered her head and said nothing. Gradually, the atmosphere at the table relaxed. Other family members resumed casual conversation. Only Leia remained out of place. Under the table, Arnold continued tormenting her, and she endured it in silence, not daring to resist.
I sneered. So this was the perfect husband she had chosen. In my last life, she thought Arnold was a gentle gentleman, and Caspian was a violent devil. This time, she’d finally get to experience my suffering for herself.
