Zachariah

Prologue

Isabelle POV

“Smile for fuck’s sake!”

My gaze falls to my Father, standing on my right side, with a smile plastered on his face. His gaze stops on me as he leans once more to whisper. “I do not want those mother fuckers printing shitty conclusions seeing your face.”

He moved away when the professional photographer clicked the family photograph. My father and his wife move away elegantly, while I watch them with a feeling of disgust.

“Ma’am.”

Breaking my gaze, I turn my head to the photographer. “Yes?” He moves his camera while his assistant follows him. “Can you please move closer to Mr White? I need to get these photoshoots before you two leave.”

His gaze went to the enormous rock on my finger and to the man standing beside me. I control myself from jumping as a cold arm snakes around my waist, pulling me closer. Gulping the lump, I turn my face to see icy blue eyes staring at me.

“Sweet cheeks, you can’t keep me waiting here whilst daydreaming.” His mouth moves closer— Too close to my liking. “If you are dreaming of kissing me. We can ditch this party and go to my flat.”

I slightly move away. His eyes go to my lips as he wets his own. “I want to see what all I could make those lips do.” My brows furrow in disgust, and I move away when the photographer lets out a cough. No wonder if he heard it. Mick lets out a chuckle before facing the photographer.

My gaze goes to the pretentious guests. Their shallow souls are hidden behind the luxurious facade. I don’t know where to focus, as everyone seems the same. My stepmother is speaking to one of the ladies who holds a political seat in the parliament.

Approximately three hundred people were present to congratulate me on my engagement. On my fucking engagement, which I had no idea of. Mike wraps his arm once more and pulls me closer as the camera flash goes off.

A sigh leaves my mouth as the photographer moves on to take the shots of the crowd present. Mike says something, but I ignore him. I massage my temple before going over to pick a water bottle from the server.

The only thing that I ever wanted to leave in the shadows without being dragged into my Father’s business politics. Hilarious, as my half-sister wanted to get married, but it ended up being the opposite.

I never wanted to be here. I never wanted to marry the bastard who is fucking my half-sister. I never wanted to be the one saving my Father’s failing ass. The tension in my head seemed to have reached my neck and shoulders. I try to take calm breaths, but it seems impossible when there’s too much attention from everywhere.

I try not to look at the man who is measuring me up. They are curious, given that it was the first time they have seen me. My Father and stepmother were never ready to introduce me to society or to the public.

Everyone only knew that Dave Edwards had two daughters. They never heard a word of me before until they received the private invitation of my engagement. “Mickey.”

“Mum.” I hear Mick say. Agnes whines before speaking. “Your Father-in-law is such a cheap man. He didn’t even bother buying us expensive gifts. My friends are making fun of me. Talk to him and ask him to bring out those gifts before everyone leaves.”

“Isabelle, don’t stand there and ignore my Mum. You heard her, go talk to your Father.” I stare at my soon-to-be husband and mother-in-law. My to-be in-laws met me in the evening and decided I was absolutely perfect for their son, who is abitchin the country. Thank god he didn’t put a ring on my finger himself. If he did, I would have died on the spot.

Agnes handed me the heirloom and asked me to put it on. I was going to tell her no, but the daggers my father was sending my way. I didn’t really have an option.

“Do you think he is going to hear me?” I ask in return, handing the empty water bottle to the server. Agnes’ cheeks turn pink in anger while Mick raises his brow. “You already know how it is, Mick. Why don’t you make Sara ask instead?” I challenge.

While Agnes’ eyes go wide, Mick’s cheek blazes in anger. If Mick is the biggest bitch I have ever known, Sara is the biggest liar I have ever met. “Come again?”

“You heard me.” I leave the mother and son and walk toward the restrooms. From the corner of my eye, I see Caroline, My stepmother, looking at where Mick and Agnes are. I shake my head and try not to make any eye contact with anyone.

*

Mick and Sara make out loudly in front of the mirror while I stand there with my hands crossed. As soon as I step out of the toilet cubicle, once my mind is clear of thoughts, I see them.

I feel the headache returning. Mick moans like a fake bitch while Sara makes eye contact. “Oh. . . Oh— Yes. Touch. . . Touch me. . .”

I turn my head to the door. They have locked it from the inside. “Disgusting.” Unbothered, I wash my hands, wipe the excess water off my hands, and check my makeup before leaving the washroom.

As I open the washroom, I see that Sara’s personal assistant is guiding the door. She shirks in fear and keeps her gaze on the floor. Closing the door, I immediately pull out the bracelet from my pocket and hand it to her.

“No, I can’t take it.”

“They are diamonds. Sold it off in the China market. Keep it hidden and get rid of it soon.” I move away before she protests loudly. I wink at her before joining the party.

I feel as light as the diamonds leaving my wrist. Nothing is restraining my wrist. Unknowingly, I massage my wrist. Caroline had given me a bracelet in the morning, asking me not to lose it, saying she would have my hand if I lost it.

“Let’s see if she takes my hand for losing it,” I tell myself, picking up a champagne flute off the plate. I move to the further wall where no one is present. The hall is teeming with guests, and servers are scattered throughout. I take a sip of the champagne, leaning against the wall as I reflect on the events of the last forty-eight hours.

How Father stormed into my room to drag me out so that Mike’s parents could see me. They agreed to give my hand in marriage to Mike in exchange for White’s billion-pound investment in Edwards Group. My father mentioned that my Mother’s 10% shares in Edwards’ business would pass to my heirs and that they would remain a permanent shareholder of Edwards’ business.

How Sara threw a tantrum by smashing an expensive vase, glasses, and household items over the marriage proposal, while Caroline consoled her, suggesting she could always have an affair. I snorted and cringed at the thought, finishing my drink before grabbing another from the passing table.

As I slowly scanned the crowd, my eyes met someone’s. I narrowed my eyes, waiting for the person to move. When they did, I stared at a man who was looking at me directly. There’s no doubt it wasn’t accidental. I try to figure him out, even though he’s wearing a mask.

He shouts out of place. While every guest present wears expensive suits, this man is dressed in a black jacket and black trousers. My gaze shifts to the dirty boots he is wearing. I quickly look around and realise I’m not the only one staring at him.

It’s a private party. Father wouldn’t allow anyone inside, and there was tight security outside. How did he enter? Before I think of something, everything goes dark. Multiple startled voices, and someone is yelling at the staff. Chaos as everyone tries to move.

My body goes numb when I feel a presence. They don’t move as a weird scent takes over my senses. I gulp down the lump and try to move, but I couldn’t as I feel a spray of wet droplets on my face. “What—”

My words stop in my throat as someone pushes me into the wall and presses a cloth against my mouth. The champagne glass in my hand shatters to the ground. Before I try to do something, the intruder puts pressure on my face. As my eyes became heavy with the need of drowsiness, I knew that ’I’m kidnapped’