Isabella’s POV

After returning to the manor, the agency delivered their findings on Julian, Vivienne, and Sebastian.

Julian and Vivienne had started sleeping together nearly a year ago. Since then, they’d met behind my back countless times—taking trips funded by my family, exchanging confidential information, and letting Julian into Vale business matters he should never have known.

One report stood out. Three months earlier, a major deal between the Vale family and another powerful house had collapsed at the last minute. My father believed the other Don had simply backed out.

The truth was uglier. Vivienne had leaked our pricing to Julian. He’d used it to undercut the deal—negotiating for his own benefit.

There was one thing my father would never forgive: betrayal of the family’s business. That was part of the reason he’d asked me to choose—marriage or inheritance. If I married Julian, I would no longer be a Vale. I would have to step away from everything.

If my father learned that Vivienne had been feeding family secrets to an outsider, he wouldn’t hesitate to cast her out.

As for Sebastian—he and Vivienne went way back. He’d actually been her boyfriend, long before her mother married my father.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

The best friend I thought I had was nothing more than a careful manipulator. The boyfriend I loved had been cheating on me with my stepsister. And the sister I had welcomed with open arms—trusted, defended, loved—was a monster. Taking the Don’s seat wasn’t enough for her. She wanted me destroyed. Miserably.

Knowing the truth didn’t shake me. It only steadied me.

With every ugly detail laid bare now, I would move forward with my plan—more determined than ever.

…

I spent the next day buried in back‑to‑back meetings with family lawyers and my father’s most trusted men—learning what it truly meant to become the Don and catching up on the latest Vale affairs.

Vivienne, meanwhile, was indulging in something very different.

She went on a shopping spree, fully convinced the family fortune already belonged to her.

That wasn’t all.

She went as far as hosting a private gambling night inside the Vale manor itself.

I wasn’t invited. I was told I needed to “prepare for the party.” That I didn’t need to worry about things that weren’t my concern.

But I still slipped out anyway and made my way toward the room where it was happening. I didn’t even get close before I heard Vivienne’s voice.

“Not again,” she pouted. “I’ve lost almost a million tonight. I can’t be this unlucky.”

A man chuckled. “If you don’t want to pay a million, we can settle the debt another way.”

Vivienne laughed lightly. “Please. I know your little kink. You like tying women up and watching them suffer. I’m not into that.”

His voice dropped. “Then you’d better pay before we leave this house tonight.”

Vivienne didn’t sound worried. “I didn’t say the other way wouldn’t work. I have a stepsister—Isabella. Have you met her?”

Another man snorted. “You mean that Bella who follows Julian around like a crazy fangirl?”

“That’s the one,” Vivienne said without hesitation. “I can deliver her to you.”

“For real?” The first man laughed, low and ugly. “The Don would let you hand over his daughter?”

“The Don?” Vivienne scoffed. “I am the Don of Vale. If she—or her sick father—objects, what can they do about it?”

The man laughed again. “She’ll do. But you knew me—I like my women powerless. What’s the word for liking them… disabled?”

“Abasiophilia?” Vivienne laughed. “That can be arranged. When I deliver her to you, she’ll be exactly how you want.”

Julian smirked. “Perfect. It’ll make it easier to keep her in line later. Where else could she go without us?”

I held my breath.

'Exactly how he wanted.’ Disabled. Broken. Their words sent cold straight through me.

“How do you plan to pull that off?” the man asked.

Vivienne smiled, cool and composed. “A little accident here and there should do the trick.”

I quietly stepped back and returned to my room, forcing myself to breathe steadily.

Facing Vivienne always made me uneasy—not because I was weak, but because I could never be as cruel as she was.

For a moment, I considered going to my father.

Then I stopped myself. I couldn’t afford to lose control now. I was strong enough to deal with her and whatever she planned to pull next. I just had to be more cautious from now on.

…

The next day, in broad daylight, Vivienne showed up at my door and suggested we go horseback riding. It had always been my thing.

But this invitation didn’t feel like a friendly gesture. It felt like the setup—the kind of “accident” she mentioned last night.

Vivienne smiled, looping her arm through mine. “I thought, at the very least, we could do something fun today. Something you enjoy—before your big day tomorrow.”

If she wanted a show, I could give her one.

I wore my most innocent smile. “Sure.”

When we arrived at the ranch, my usual horse was gone—missing, they said. Instead, another horse was brought out and handed over to me.

He was untrained—probably just another piece in the setup.

But Vivienne underestimated my skills. It took less than half an hour before the horse settled beneath me, responsive and calm. Almost sweet.

Just as I guided him along the lakeside, a loud bang split the air.

The horse spooked, bolting into a wild sprint. I steadied myself, murmuring softly, doing everything I could to calm him.

By the time I fell, his pace had already slowed. I wasn’t hurt. But I still screamed—for the performance.

Sure enough, Vivienne came running. Her face was painted with worry, but beneath it… I saw it.

The excitement. The smug little sneer she tried to hide.

At the hospital, when doctor asked about what happened.

“It was just an accident,” Vivienne cried, voice trembling. “You have to save my sister. She just got engaged. She’s so young…”

I wasn’t nearly as injured as she made it sound.

When the doctor wheeled me toward the imaging room, I caught his attention and quietly spoke.

“Whatever she says,” I told him, “just tell her I can’t feel anything below my ankle. That I’ll never stand or walk again.”

He hesitated, confused.

I explained calmly that today hadn’t been an accident. That my fall was, but everything else wasn’t. It would be better for everyone if this stayed quiet. I even mentioned compensation.

When the doctor delivered the news, that unmistakeable excitement lit up in Vivienne’s eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Bella,” she sobbed dramatically. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be spending your birthday in a wheelchair.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “It’s fine,” I said gently. “You couldn’t have known.”

“True,” Vivienne said, clearing her throat. “But look on the bright side—Julian won’t think any less of you. And since you’ll be marrying him soon…”

I looked at the flawless performance unfolding in front of me and thought—bravo. Few people could be as convincing as Vivienne.

Still, I hoped she’d be just as happy on my birthday.

After all, the old saying goes—you shouldn’t get too cocky too soon. You never know what’s coming next.

Isabelle’a POV

Ever since the accident, Julian had been pushing my wheelchair through the manor, playing the part of the perfect fiancé.

But I could already feel the shift.

He kept dropping hints—how noble he was for staying, how my little hobby had made our lives so inconvenient. He was laying the groundwork.

As if, when he finally walked away, I’d be the one to blame.

Classic gaslighting.

If I didn’t already know the truth about him and Vivienne, I might’ve believed it.

And behind my back? I’d seen him sneaking into Vivienne’s room more times than I could count. They weren’t even trying to hide it anymore. Sometimes, Sebastian joined them too.

I thought I’d be sadder than I was. Turns out, my heart had hardened more than I realized.

To keep their affair from raising others’ suspicion, I even calmly told the maids to avoid Vivienne’s room.

I wanted to save the reveal—make it a proper surprise at my party.

A fitting end to a life of being gaslit, betrayed, and lied to.

…

My birthday finally arrived.

That evening, just as I finished getting ready in my room—

“Are you ready?” Julian’s voice came from outside. “I’m here to wheel you to your party.”

“You go ahead,” I replied calmly. “I’ll be five minutes behind. My bodyguard can wheel me over.”

I leaned in close to the mirror, swiping the final coat of mascara across my lashes. Smoky eyes, blood-red lips. A sleek black dress that hugged every curve. I’d even curled my hair.

I looked like vengeance in heels.

“Showtime, Bella,” I whispered to my reflection. “Every torture. Every humiliation. Every bit of pain ends tonight. From now on, they’ll get what they gave—maybe more. You’ve got this.”

When my guard wheeled me into the ballroom, every head turned.

Father, seated not far, looked up sharply, worry etched across his face. I gave a small shake of my head, a quiet glance that said: I’m fine. I’ve got this.

Only then did he ease back into his seat.

Halfway to the stage, Julian stepped in. “Should we announce the engagement now?” he asked with a grin. “Or wait until the end?”

I smiled. Said nothing. And wheeled right past him.

“Thank you all for coming to my party tonight.” I let the words settle. “As you know, turning twenty-five in the Vale family is a significant milestone. A few days ago, my father asked me a question—whether I wanted to inherit his seat as Don or not.”

The room fell silent.

Vivienne stood not far from the stage, draped in gold, glowing as if she were the star of the evening. When she caught my glance, she smiled.

I smiled back, then turned to face the crowd.

“Sorry,” I said, voice calm. “There was a little accident, and my dear fiancé and stepsister decided I needed more rest. So they put me in this wheelchair.”

“But since I’m announcing something important tonight, I thought it only polite to stand. To share my answer here, in front of my family and friends.”

Slowly, I rose from the wheelchair.

Vivienne went still, her face frozen in shock.

Julian stared, unreadable. Sebastian, too.

“My answer is—”

I paused, lifting a glass from the nearest tray.

“Yes. I will inherit the Don’s seat.”

The moment the words left my mouth, panic flashed across Julian’s face. He rushed toward the stage, gripping my arm. “What about our engagement?”

“What about it?” I smiled, calmly brushing his hand off. “Actually, since my stepsister and my fiancé have shown me so much… care these past few days, I figured it’s only fair to return the favor.”

I gave the signal.

The lights dimmed. The screen lit up.

Footage from the villa flickered into focus—Vivienne, Julian, and Sebastian tangled in bed. Soon, Vivienne’s moans echoed through the speakers, shameless and loud.

The crowd gasped.

Vivienne froze. Her face drained of color. Then she lunged toward the DJ, frantically trying to shut it down.

But it was too late.

Everyone had seen. Everyone had heard.

Julian stood beside me, stunned. Sebastian just stared, mouth slightly open, as if he couldn’t believe I’d actually done it.

The real fun had only just begun.

I smiled, took a sip of champagne, and leaned into the mic.

“Happy birthday to me,” I said. “And I hope you all enjoy a wonderful night at my party tonight.”