She sighed softly. She knew something might be rolling up the old man's sleeve. Otherwise, how can he willingly agree to help her Papa without a string attached.
"He said he wants to marry a young, beautiful virgin in exchange. He would make her happy and give his entire property to her..."Jane was saying when Isabella interrupted her.
"How's that our family's responsibility? There are a number of virgins out there. He could get one of them and marry. Why is he attaching that to his condition to help Papa?"
"He doesn't just want any virgin. Since he would be helping the family, he chose you. He said he would take care of your father if you agreed to marry him.
And as your mother, I attested to the fact that you're still a virgin. I agreed and gave my consent to the marriage and promised him that he would get my virgin daughter for wife provided he was willing to take care of..." Jane was blabbing when Isabella raised her hand.
"Enough mom, just be quiet!" Isabella's eyes went reddened. What nonsense is her mother saying, she gave consent to her getting married to who?
That old man, who can be her grandfather? She wants her to be married to him? Is she for real?
"Are you serious now, stepmother? You want me to get married to that old hag who lived all his life as a single father because he was jailed several times for domestic violence? A man known for his promiscuous life despite his age?
Like seriously, I should marry that man simply because he promised to help Papa? Do you believe him? A man of a questionable character?" Isabella demanded.
"He is an old man. He is obsessed with women's virginity and once you marry him, he will give all his properties to you. He is going to die soon, considering his age and you will be the madam over his estate and wealth.
Our financial life would be settled forever. You're our hope of growing out of this middle class status to those of the higher class in the society. Since you're still a virgin, marry him. It's a win-win situation here..." Jane was trying to coax her stepdaughter when Isabella stood up.
This is so inhuman, how can she expect her to marry that old man and say she will be the one to change their financial status. If she was her daughter, would she say the same thing to her?
"You said he wanted a virgin right?" Isabella asked, acting so calm and composed.
"Yes, strictly a virgin. That is his condition" Jane replied quickly. Looks like her words had worked on this stupid gullible girl. She would be glad to sell her off to him and disappear with her son.
"Well, I'm not the ideal candidate for the deal. Because the last time I checked, I am no longer a virgin" Isabella announced, a smirk spread across her face. For the first time since she had that night of passion, she was glad she did.
"What!" Jane blurted in haste. The sweet persuasive gaze she held towards Isabella before suddenly took a twist. She was glaring at her in hostility and fury. She cannot believe the nonsense this girl was saying.
"You've been sleeping around like a slut now, Isabella. How dare you turn yourself into a cheap prostitute?" Isaac bellowed. This foolish woman was going to ruin all his mother worked hard to achieve to this point.
Isabella turned a sharp gaze on Isaac. "Are you crazy? How dare you refer to me that way? Have you forgotten that you were expelled from college because you were caught making out with a classmate behind the school library..."
"Be quiet, you fool" Jane Green bellowed. Her eyes filled with resentment and a killing intent towards her. "How dare you speak so despicable about my son, how dare you?
You've been sleeping around like a prostitute and now you want to ruin my hard work? You want me to lose the only opportunity to become a wealthy woman ...."Jane Green was saying as she was glancing around, looking for whatever.
She sighted the flower vase, made of clay and went for it. Isabella saw her taking the flower vase and her instincts warned her to run. She turned and ran quickly away but how far can she when Jane went after her and threw the flower vase on her.
"Before you ruin me, I'll be the first to ruin your miserable life" she bellowed.
Isabella felt a hard hit on her back head, her eyes immediately went dizzy and her knees gave way, as she felt her entire body slumped to the floor...
∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆
Isabella opened her eyes wearily. She didn't see anything or better put, she saw everywhere blank. She couldn't focus on anything nor did she recognize anything as well.
Her head aches and her body is weak. Her limps felt fatigued and she stayed motionless. She heard a familiar voice "Isabella, Isabella, you're awake..." the tone was filled with excitement.
She didn't know what happened next or how long she drifted back to sleep but when she opened her eyes again, she saw herself in the hospital. The walls, the drip she was being transfused, the cabinet and bedside desk, only confirmed to her that she's in the hospital.
What is she doing in the hospital? She tried to think but her memory was temporarily blank. She turned and saw Ethan by her bedside. He held her hands and smiled.
Ethan is her childhood friend and they went to college together. "Ethan" Isabella called and he smiled at her "I'm happy you have regained consciousness again. I was worried about you"
"Regain consciousness? How long have I been unconscious?" Isabella asked, now remembering everything that happened. She was attacked by her stepmother and that was all she knew except opening her eyes in a hospital bed.
"Three weeks Isabella, you've been unconscious for three weeks" Ethan replied and she shivered. For three whole weeks, she'd been locked within herself alone?
She sighed softly trying to hold back her tears but she couldn't. They flowed down the sides of her eyes. Her stepmother hurt her because she refused to marry that old hag?
"No tears Isabella. You should be happy that you've returned to your loved ones..." Ethan consoled before saying, "I'll call the doctors" and stormed off.
Isabella Green just closed her eyes momentarily. Her loved ones, he said. Besides her adoptive father, she cannot point at anyone else as those who loved her.
The door opened again and Doctors Rian, Rodrigo and Mrs Adele walked into the ward. That was when Isabella realised that she's in X-city hospital.
"Isabella, glad you are awake" Rodrigo chimed, coming over and placing his hand on her temple. He was all smiles and Mrs Adele's excitement was visibly expressed "We were afraid that we might lose you..." she said.
Isabella smiled weakly. She took Mrs Adele's hand and the woman gave her palm a soft squeeze. Rodrigo took out his stethoscope and examined her before saying "You're fine and out of harm's way.." he declared.
"We'll place you under observation for a few more days and then you'll be discharged" Rian said and turned away as he walked out of the ward. That was the only utterance he made and left.
Rodrigo's brow furrowed into a frown.
