His Wife, The Secret Forensic Genius

Isabella "Bella" Douglas POV:

As the words left my mouth, a crack of thunder tore through the sky, drowning out everything else. It was as if the universe itself had heard my wish and sealed it with a roar.

Jameson and my brothers didn't hear me.

Their only focus was Haleigh, who shrieked at the sound and buried her face in Jameson's chest. They rushed her inside, shielding her from the sudden downpour, leaving me alone on the storm-lashed deck.

A strange sense of peace settled over me. It was done.

A week later, Haleigh insisted I accompany her to the annual Black and White Ball, a major event for the Five Families. I refused.

"You will go," Derrick said, his voice leaving no room for argument. He and Kane dragged me from my room. "You will smile. And you will not embarrass this Family."

At the ball, Haleigh was a magnet for attention, playing the part of the tragic, beautiful wife. She kept pressing champagne flutes into my hand.

"My doctor says I can't," she'd say with a sad little smile. "You drink for me, sister."

Drunk and disoriented, my head swimming, I felt Haleigh's hand on my arm. "You don't look well," she said, her voice laced with a venomous sweetness. She led me down a quiet corridor to a private room. "Rest in here."

The door clicked shut behind me, the lock engaging with a heavy, final thud.

A man emerged from the shadows. He was an Associate of a rival family, a man known for his brutish appetites.

"Haleigh said you were looking for a good time."

The alcohol haze vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp dread. I backed away as he advanced, his intentions a predatory gleam in his leering smile.

I heard voices in the hall. It was Haleigh, and with her, Jameson. He'd left a meeting early, worried about me, he was saying.

Hope-stupid, desperate, and blinding-flared in my chest.

"Jameson!" I screamed, pounding on the heavy oak door. "Help me!"

Haleigh immediately clutched her chest, letting out a pained gasp. "My heart... my pills... they're at home!" she cried, her voice a perfect symphony of panic.

I heard Jameson hesitate. His footsteps paused right outside the door.

For a single, silent beat, the world stopped.

He knew I was in here. He knew I was in trouble.

He chose Haleigh.

I heard him scoop her into his arms, his voice a soothing murmur as he carried her away, leaving me to my fate.

The man lunged. I grabbed the first heavy thing I could find-a glass ashtray-and smashed it over his head. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

I fled the hotel, my dress torn, my feet bare on the cold, rain-slicked pavement.

Headlights blinded me. Jameson's Bentley.

It slammed into me, the impact a white-hot explosion of pain.

The car paused for a single, agonizing heartbeat.

Then, it accelerated, its tires screeching as it sped away, leaving me broken in the street.