Chapter 7

Nathan spoke with confidence, "She can't survive without me. Just wait, it won't even take a week before she realizes how much she needs me and contacts me herself." His werewolf instincts, usually so sharp, were clouded by his arrogance and belief in Isabella's dependence on him. He failed to recognize the profound change that had occurred within her.

The housekeeper shook her head and sighed. "You're taking advantage of her love for you, Young Master. But not everyone will wait for you to come around." The housekeeper's words were like a faint warning, but Nathan was too consumed by his own thoughts to heed them.

Nathan slumped onto the couch, feeling weary. "This is the last time."

In a Foreign Land

After stepping off the plane, Isabella didn’t leave the airport. Instead, she bought tickets for another city. She wandered through several locations before finally arriving in Milan, Italy. Standing on the unfamiliar streets, surrounded by strangers with pale skin and curly hair, a deep sense of loneliness enveloped her. As a werewolf in a foreign land, she was cut off from her usual pack and support system, making the isolation even more acute.

With no money to her name, Isabella found a nearby restaurant where she washed dishes and did odd jobs for meager pay. For lodging, she spent nights sleeping on airport benches until her wages were paid. Recovering from surgery and a miscarriage, she overworked herself, often to the point of exhaustion. Her wounds became repeatedly infected, and she nearly fainted several times while working. Her werewolf healing abilities were strained, but she refused to give up. Concerned for her health, the restaurant owner eventually dismissed her under a polite pretense.

Jobless and penniless, Isabella spent her remaining wages in her search for a new job. To make matters worse, the place where she had been sleeping was taken over by a group of delinquents. When she tried to retrieve her belongings, their predatory gazes made her flee in fear, abandoning her luggage.

Sitting on the roadside, she broke down in tears. But after crying, she wiped her tears and smiled bitterly. Before Nathan found her four years ago, wasn’t she just a penniless beggar with nothing? Determined to survive, Isabella started scavenging for food in trash bins, much like the other homeless people.

By chance, she found a valuable wallet in the garbage. A thief had stolen cash from a wealthy woman and discarded the wallet, which contained important documents. Recognizing the wallet’s luxurious material, Isabella realized it must hold great sentimental value for its owner. Out of a kind heart, she returned it to the address listed on the ID inside.

The owner, a Chinese aristocrat, was initially suspicious of Isabella. Isabella shrugged and calmly said, "I didn’t steal it, I swear. I was just too hungry and found it while scavenging for food." After a pause, she added, "I recognized the material—it’s from Master Jasmine’s first generation of luxury bags, one of only nine worldwide. I figured it must mean a lot to you, so I brought it back."

The woman was astonished. "Now I believe you must be a princess lost among commoners."

Isabella laughed bitterly. "You’re mistaken. I’m just a poor girl born in the slums."

As she turned to leave, the woman grabbed her hand. "Miss, no matter what, you’ve returned my late husband’s gift to me, and I must repay you. What do you need? Just tell me."

Isabella replied, "There’s no need."

The woman frowned, puzzled. "But you clearly look like someone in need of help."

Isabella admitted, "I need money, a lot of it. But more than that, I need love… and you can’t provide that for me."

The woman hesitated before offering, "I can at least give you a job. Would you like to work as a seamstress?"

A flicker of hope lit up Isabella’s eyes. "What did you say?"

"I can recommend you to a factory as a seamstress."

Without hesitation, Isabella embraced her. "Thank you. I’d love that job."

In the past, Isabella had spent her days as a dutiful wife, ironing clothes for everyone in the Hill family. She couldn’t bear to see any flaws in the expensive garments and would painstakingly repair them herself. Over time, she had honed her skills and developed a deep interest in the fashion industry. Her werewolf attention to detail and dexterity had made her a natural at such tasks.

Her new employer, a kind elderly woman, didn’t judge her tattered appearance. Instead, she gave Isabella special care, providing her with a small room to rest in and flexible working hours. Grateful for her kindness, Isabella worked tirelessly to express her gratitude. The employer grew increasingly fond of the resilient Chinese girl and began to inquire about her background.

"Bella, why did you come to Milan? You have no one here, you don’t speak the language, and life must be so hard."

Looking up, Isabella’s gaze seemed to pierce through the fabric of time. She answered with a melancholic resolve, "I came here to wait—for someone, for salvation, and for a chance to be reborn." No matter how bitter or exhausting it was, she couldn’t give up.

Her employer encouraged her, "Isabella, you’re so talented with your hands and seem to have a natural gift for fashion design. Have you considered going back to school? With a degree in fashion design, you’d have a brilliant future."

Isabella pondered deeply. The difference between her and Victoria had always been glaring: while Victoria wasn’t as beautiful as her, she had a prestigious education that earned her respect. In contrast, Isabella’s lack of a formal degree had rendered her insignificant in their eyes—a mere accessory, undeserving of respect or recognition. Her love and devotion had been trampled on without a second thought.

Determined to change, Isabella immediately asked her employer about the process of enrolling in school. If she had severed ties with Nathan and Victoria, she resolved to live for herself this time. This time, she would shine on a grand stage and command the respect of everyone around her. Isabella threw herself into her studies, diligently preparing to apply to Milan’s top fashion academy in the coming year.

One Month Later, in the Capital

Nathan had been busy over the past month, tirelessly paving the way for Victoria’s career. He propelled her into the spotlight of the fashion world, crowning her as the queen of style. His efforts were an attempt to console her heartbroken soul, ensuring she found joy in professional success even if her love life had suffered. As a werewolf, he used his influence and connections to further Victoria's career, unaware of the impact it would have on his own future.

Victoria’s health and spirits improved rapidly under Nathan’s attentive care. On the grand opening day of Victoria’s company, Nathan invited numerous influential friends to celebrate her achievement. His devotion and care for Victoria were evident, rivaling that of a devoted husband.

This display of affection ignited envy in Isabella’s friend, Madison, who couldn’t resist mentioning the one person absent from the festivities.

"Victoria, on such an important day, why isn’t Isabella here to celebrate with you?"

The lively room fell silent.