Chapter 2

Isabella heard Michael bring up the agreement, and for a second, she was taken aback. But she quickly got her bearings.

She looked at Michael and said, "So, during the marriage, we stay out of each other's personal lives until the engagement ends in three years, and then we get divorced. Yeah, I remember. Anything else?"

Michael nodded with a grin, "Just one more thing: don't fall in love with me. I mean, I am pretty irresistible."

Isabella rolled her eyes. She didn't expect Michael to be so full of himself. He was good-looking, but she wasn't that shallow.

"Don't worry, I won't fall for you," she said, staring him down.

Michael looked back at her, trying to see if she was bluffing. When he saw she was dead serious, he frowned a bit.

'Is my charm fading?' he wondered. Women usually couldn't resist him.

"Alright, now that we're married, let's go our separate ways. Bye," Isabella said, turning to leave, while Michael grabbed her arm.

"Got something else to say?" she asked, annoyed.

Michael smirked, "Since our marriage is basically a show, we should play the part. So, how about I meet your parents?"

Isabella was taken aback. She wanted to say no, but then she figured her parents would find out eventually, so she decided to take advantage of her courage today and confess to them directly.

"Fine, but don't expect a warm welcome," she said, surprising Michael by pulling him into the car.

On the way to her place, Michael finally got why Isabella was in such a rush to get married. Her family was pushing her to marry some guy she didn't love, so she married a random dude to rebel.

'Rebel without a cause.' Michael thought, shaking his head. He wasn't worried; he could handle anything with his background.

At this moment, Michael was unaware that Isabella's original fiancé had a significant connection to him.

When they got to Isabella's house, Michael met her parents. He was about to say hi when they stormed over and started yelling at her.

Jasper was fuming, "What did you do to piss off John? He called us, demanding we control you!"

Her mom, Mia Wilson, grabbed Isabella's hand, worried, "Did you two fight? It's okay. In love, there's no right or wrong. Just apologize, and he'll forgive you."

Isabella felt crushed. Her heartbreak was bad enough, but her parents' reaction made it worse.

"Mom, it's not about an apology. Do you know what he wants? He wants me to give up a kidney to save Bianca, the woman he really loves. He's using marriage to blackmail me into donating a kidney," Isabella said, her eyes welling up. She hoped that by telling the truth, her parents would finally support her.

After hearing Isabella's words, her parents' faces did change, but what they said next crushed her.

"Isabella, it's just a kidney, and Bianca is your cousin. What's so hard about saving family? Don't forget our family's status. If we want to get back to where we were, we need their influence!" Jasper said sternly.

"Yes, Isabella. It's just a kidney, and their family will get the best doctors. You'll be safe during the surgery," Mia added, holding her hand and pleading.

Isabella's eyes filled with despair. She felt a chill run through her.

Michael, standing behind her, couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Are you two really her parents? Did you pick her up off the street? What kind of parents force their daughter to give up a kidney for her rival and then marry a man who doesn't love her?" Michael stepped in front of Isabella, glaring at her parents.

"And who are you?" Jasper snapped at Michael.

Michael adjusted his collar, lifted his chin, and said proudly, "I'm Isabella's husband. We just got married."

"What?" Her parents were shocked, then furious.

"Isabella, what is this? You were already engaged! Are you trying to ruin our family?" Jasper raised his hand to slap her.

Before he could, Michael caught his wrist.

"With parents like you, she's truly unlucky," Michael said coldly, his earlier smile gone.

Even if he and Isabella had no real feelings, she was still his wife in name, and Jasper's actions were a direct insult to him.

Jasper tried to pull his hand away, but Michael's grip was iron. Michael's gaze was icy, almost murderous.

Suddenly, Michael felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Isabella, tears streaming down her face, shaking her head.

"Let's go; I don't want to stay here anymore," she said, not looking at her parents, and walked out.

Michael shot one last cold look at her parents, let go of Jasper's hand, and followed her.

Once outside, Isabella sat in the car, staring blankly at the windshield, her hands gripping the steering wheel, tears falling.

Michael sat in the passenger seat, feeling a pang of sympathy for this woman he barely knew.

"You remind me of those troubled princesses, but I hope things get better for you. Is everything okay?" he asked.

Isabella gave a bitter smile, "Every troubled princess finds true love eventually, but I can't even control my own life. I don't know why I'm even here."

Michael raised an eyebrow, reached over, and pulled the keys from the ignition.

Seeing her confused look, he said seriously, "Stay calm. I'm not done living yet."