My In-Laws

ISABELLA'S POV

I woke up in agony, my body covered in bruises and blood. Leo lay peacefully beside me, his handsome face a stark contrast to the pain I felt. I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower, where I sobbed uncontrollably.

After dressing and brushing my hair, I headed downstairs to the kitchen. The house was quiet, except for Maria, the head maid, who was preparing breakfast.

"Morning, Ma'am," Maria greeted me, bowing her head.

"Morning, Maria. Please, don't call me Ma'am. I'm Isabella. You can call me Isa," I said with a smile.

"But, Ma—Isa, I was about to make breakfast," Maria replied.

"Don't worry about breakfast, I'll make it. I want to impress my in-laws," I said, taking charge.

As I cooked, the aroma of pancakes, eggs, and freshly baked muffins filled the air. The other maids helped set the table, and by 9:30 am, I had finished.

Maggie and her husband entered the kitchen, admiring the spread.

"Mmm, it smells good in here," Maggie said, sitting down at the table.

"Wow, Maria, what a nice setup," Maggie added.

"I didn't do anything, Isa did it all," Maria replied, pouring orange juice for Maggie.

"Wow, Isa, you know how to cook. What time did you wake up?" Maggie asked.

"I think I woke up around 6," I replied.

Jonathan, my brother-in-law, prepared to leave for work.

"Brother, where are you going?" I asked.

"To work, I'm late," Jonathan replied.

"But you haven't eaten anything," I said, concerned.

"No, I'll grab an apple," Jonathan said.

"No, don't worry, I'll pack a lunch for you," I insisted.

"No, really, I'll buy something on the way," Jonathan said.

"Brother, you don't want my food because I'm ugly," I said, pretending to sob.

Jonathan looked taken aback, then panicked. "No, no, I'm sorry. I'll take a lunch box."

Maria handed him a lunch box, and as he left, I smiled.

Maggie laughed. "You know how to act, why did you do that to my husband?"

The family gathered around the dining table, marveling at the spread. "Maria, what did we do to deserve such a beautiful breakfast?" Mr. Smith asked.

Maria smiled. "No, sir, it's all your youngest daughter-in-law's doing."

Mr. Smith turned to me. "Isa, did you do this?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

He chuckled. "Why are you calling me sir? From now on, I'm your father. And what did you put in this coffee? It's so nice."

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my heart.

Grandma Smith spoke up, "It seems you found a good wife for my grandson. The girl who knows how to cook! Come here, dear."

I walked over to her, and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. "You look beautiful, and please take care of my Leo."

Just then, Cassie, Leo's younger sister, walked into the dining room. "Good morning, family! Mmm, it smells nice in here. Who cooked?"

She took a muffin and looked around, spotting me. "Leo's wife?" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

Grandma pointed me out, and Cassie burst out laughing. "Are you kidding me? You got Leo married to this girl? Mother, what was on your mind?"

She looked me up and down, her expression disdainful. "She looks ugly, she doesn't have a fashion style, she doesn't match the family status... my poor brother, she'll be stuck with this grandma for life." her broke my heart as I felt my tears falling down my cheeks.

The room fell silent, and I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

Mr. Smith's face turned red with anger. "Stop it, Cassie!" he thundered. "From now on, Isa is our family, and no one will say bad things about her. Cassie, apologize!"

Cassie looked taken aback but muttered a half-hearted apology. I felt a surge of gratitude toward Mr. Smith for standing up for me, but Cassie's words still stung.

I went upstairs to check up on Leo and I entered the bedroom, where Leo sat on the couch, surrounded by scattered files. "Here's your coffee," I said, placing it on the table.

"Who said I wanted coffee?" Leo growled, his deep, arrogant voice sending shivers down my spine.

"Maria told me you like to drink coffee in the morning, so I made it for you. Please, drink it," I pleaded, trying to appease him.

Leo's scary gaze locked onto mine, and I forced a smile, hiding my fear. Yesterday's beating still lingered in my mind.

"I want you to sign this," Leo said, handing me a file

"What is this?" I asked, taking the file.

"A contract. Rules you must follow," Leo replied, his expression twisted in disgust.

I read the rules, my heart sinking

Rule 1: Don't touch my stuff.

Rule 2: Don't touch me.

Rule 3: Stay away from my business.

Rule 4: I will fuck you the way I want and I will do do anything I to your body. I own your body and soul.

Rule 5: You don't sleep in my bed; you'll sleep on the floor.

Rule 6: You must not have friends.

Rule 7: Don't talk to me.

Rule 8: You do what I tell you to do.

Rule 9: You have to respect my family.

Rule 10: I am a mafia leader. If you betray me or become friends with my enemies I'll kill you.

I read through the rules again, my determination growing. I would follow every single one, no matter how difficult. With a steady hand, I signed the contract.

Leo handed me a small pill. "And here, drink this," he said, his expression unreadable.

My anxiety spiked. "What is this?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Leo's gaze narrowed. "If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it by now. Drink this. It will help you...because I don't think you want to have a child with someone who raped you."

His words cut deep, but I understood the implication. This pill was birth control. I took it and he made sure that I took it because after I swallowed it he made me open my mouth. Why is my husband like this, why is Leo like this, after we are married and we are bound to have kids but all he wants is to hurt me and give me those pills. God please help me to ease Leo's heart. Please help me to make my husband fall in love with me.

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