THE EXTRAORDINARY BRIDE OF THE WYNDHAM FAMILY novel Chapter 6

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“Stop right there, Isla.” Gabriel yelled and his voice filled the quiet room.

She stopped walking and she stiffened. When she turned, her eyes were filled with anger. Her chest rose and fell as if she had been holding back too much for too long.

“Gabriel, I can’t do this with you any longer,” she said as her voice trembled. “We need to end this now. I want a divorce.”

He moved forward with deliberate steps until he was standing directly in front of her. His eyes were cold, as if that could make her change her mind.

“Do I need to remind you,” he said in a low, threatening tone, “that your father’s career will suffer if you even dare to move forward with this divorce?”

Isla’s brows furrowed with shock written across her face. “What are you talking about, Gabriel?”

His hands remained tucked neatly inside the pockets of his tailored trousers, his posture straight and proud.

“Exactly what I said,” he replied calmly.

“You can’t do that!” she said as her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

“Oh, yes, I can,” Gabriel countered without hesitation. “And you know it. Listen to me carefully now that I am being generous. Stop this madness. Drop this talk about divorce, and let us continue to play our parts in keeping this marriage alive. Your father’s contract papers are sitting right there on my desk, waiting for my signature. The biggest contract he has ever applied for. One stroke of my pen decides it.”

Isla’s lips parted, but no words came out.

“Think about your mother,” Gabriel pressed further, lowering his tone as if trying to sound reasonable. “You know how much she values this marriage. This is not just about you and me, Isla. This is about our families. Don’t be foolish.”

With that, Gabriel turned and walked away. The door closed firmly behind him, leaving Isla alone in the room, staring at nothing.

Her whole body trembled. Her fists, clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Anger boiled in her veins, but beneath the anger was shame.

Because she knew, deep inside, he was right.

She hadn’t thought about the weight of her decision. She hadn’t thought about the effect of the divorce. She hadn’t thought about how it would affect her family. She was only about her own pain, her own desire to escape. And now, standing alone in the silence, she realized just how trapped she really was.

It pained her to admit it, but Gabriel had cornered her once again.

Isla stayed in the painting room a few more minutes, fighting tears and forcing her breathing to steady. Finally, she gathered herself and walked back toward the family dining hall.

When she got back into the dining hall. Conversations seized when she appeared at the doorway. Every pair of eyes turned to

her

She forced a smile, though her heart was still heavy. Stepping forward, she bowed her head slightly. “Grandfather, Father, Mother,” she said softly. “once again, I apologize for earlier. Please, forgive me.”

Anna, her mother–in–law scoffed loudly. She hissed and refused to look at Isla again

But Alfred head of the Wyndham family, the patriarch whose word was law, rose from his seat, and the entire room became

tense

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He left his chair at the head of the table and walked straight to Isla. Reaching her, he eyes swept across the family, pausing only on Gabriel for a brief moment.

took her hand firmly. His sharp grey

“Isla,” Alfred said in a deep and commanding tone, “is the daughter–in–law of this family, and she must be respected by everyone here.”

Everyone stayed in place as he spoke those words.

”

“And as I was saying before. To celebrate Isla and Gabriel’s anniversary.” Alfred continued, “I have made my decision. I am appointing Isla as the General Manager of our new Wyndham clothing line. I look forward to your cooperation. I want every

one of you to support her in this new role.”

Gasps and murmurs spread across the table.

Anna’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her lips parted, ready to argue, but no words came because she knew better.

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