The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

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My mother let out an audible gasp as a familiar pain stabbed at my chest. Tears threatened to cloud my vision, making the crystal chandelier above blur. The sadness was overwhelming, but I wouldn't let them see how deeply hurt I was, how brokenhearted I was.

How many times had Dad lashed out like this?

"You have no right to refuse!" This is the only thing we've ever asked of you!" Dad's voice thundered, his chest heaving with anger. "You haven't been a good child to your mom and me! I regret the day you became my daughter!"

Those words no longer stung; I'd learned to accept them long ago.

"Honey, please..." My mother held his arm, trying to calm him.

I looked my dad in the eye, my voice steady from years of dealing with his disappointment.

"Dad, I'm only accepting the terms you set. You said if I didn't do what you and Mom wanted, you'd forget I was your child. I'm not a transaction-I'm your daughter! Or at least, I'm supposed to be. It's funny how you only remember that when you need something from me!

I squared my shoulders, feeling the stiffness of my jacket. "I'll marry whoever I want; that decision is mine alone."

"Y-you ungrateful-"The words lodged in his throat. Clutching his chest, he felt the heat of anger radiate through his body as he sank heavily into the chair, the weight of his frustration pulling him down like an anchor.

"Issa, please," my mother pleaded. "don't talk like that. You're our only child," and said softly. "Let's discuss this calmly, okay?"

There she was, playing her usual role as the peacekeeper, smoothing over conflicts with expensive gifts and empty apologies. But I hadn't forgotten her betrayal. I could have used her fame and name in the industry, but I didn't.

Three years ago, some gossip site plastered an old photo of me on Chatter, stirring up rumors and linking me to her. They wanted to know if I was Mary Prescott's daughter-the renowned designer.

With unwavering resolve, Mother faced the reporters, declaring that I, Isabella Prescott, was far from the daughter they envisioned. She turned her back on me, unable to accept the idea of having a child who wouldn't shine in the industry's limelight.

She called once and explained, "Honey, I'm working on millions of projects, and your reputation doesn't fit my plans. Charlotte told me about the rumors on Chatter-that you're a hidden protégé of Golden Stage's executives. You understand, right? Charlotte believes this is best for both of us. I'm confident you'll find your own path to success."

A numbness filled my limbs as I moved stiffly toward the parking garage. I crossed paths with Lucas but brushed past him without a word.

His inflated ego, much like his trust fund, blinded him to the truth, making him see my retreat as a desperate attempt to get his attention.

"Isabella!" he called after me, but Charlotte's voice from our mansion door immediately pulled him back. "Lucas!"

"Did something happen? What's going on with her?" Lucas asked, confusion evident in his tone.

"Oh, she's just being difficult again," Charlotte replied. "Uncle wanted to arrange a marriage with the Shaw family. He's only thinking of Isabella's future, but you know how she is-she's a rebel, always clashing with him. Just forget about her."

Inside my mini Range Rover, I held the leather steering wheel tightly as I struggled against the shaking that threatened to overwhelm me. A sob caught in my throat as the question that had haunted me for years came up again: Why was fate so cruel? Why couldn't the people I loved most-my parents and Gabriel Sterling-give me the love I had for them?

ГП, 11Арг

I breathed, pulled myself together, and returned to my apartment.

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That day ended with a call to Sophia. "I want to end my contract with Golden Stage Entertainment," I told her, my decision as firm as a judge's gavel.

I had put up with everything for Gabriel, loving him from the shadows and always being there. But now, I was cutting him out of my life like a surgeon removing a tumor, along with every painful hope he had given me.

At the Whispers of the Heart's wrap-up party, I was taken aback by what Sophia revealed in the hotel suite, her face etched with worry as she delivered the news.

"Two hundred million?!" I gasped.

She scratched her head. "Yes. That's what's stipulated in your contract if you terminate it. You still have two years left, and that amount would be your termination liability."

"But I've only earned a few million from the company! They haven't given me any significant roles. How could I have made money from a few minor gigs and modeling?"

My fist clenched in frustration. It was clear Charlotte had no intention of easing my situation. I had made mistakes, too, accepting those roles just to be with Gabriel without considering the consequences.

Sophia fell silent. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, Sophia, but I refuse to sit here and do nothing." Maybe my mother could help, though I dreaded the thought of her pushing me toward Mr. Shaw to resolve this. The mere idea of his son made my skin crawl.

I didn't want to think about that right now. I needed to brace myself for whatever my mother would say later.

Just then, Sophia's phone rang, and Leo, Gabriel's assistant, flashed on the screen. My expression soured. For days, Sophia had complained about Gabriel and his assistant pestering her about me, their calls becoming increasingly aggressive.noveldrama

"What am I supposed to say to him?" Sophia's voice wavered. "They probably know you're here at the hotel."

I snatched Sophia's phone and answered Leo's call.

"Leo, stop bothering Sophia!" I snapped.

But Gabriel's smooth, practiced voice replied, "Issa, I heard you're terminating your contract with the company. Where will you get that kind of money? Baby, stop this nonsense. You're suffering too much, and it's not worth it. Please return to the apartment, and let's end this drama. I know you wanted to end the contract also because of me."

I took a deep breath, inhaling the lingering scent of expensive perfume and disappointment that filled the suite. Gabriel probably thought it was that simple, that I would fold like I always had before.

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