"You... you..." Mr. Moretti stumbled over his words when he'd finally caught his breath. "You're the one they've been talking about? It can't be... it just can't..." He trailed off with wide eyes.

News had been going around about the new man that had just risen to power. Word had it that he came from nothing and had to work his way up to where he was today.

How could he not have guessed?

If the stories he had been hearing were true, then it meant his daughter was in trouble. This was no longer about a father's disapproval; Luca DeLuca was a dangerous man.

Luca sniggered at the look of realization on their faces. Especially that on Mr. Moretti's. The grudge he had against the man went deeper than anyone knew.

He crossed his arms across his chest in defiance.

"Are you surprised? After all, you thought you'd bury me completely with that scandal."

Mr. Moretti avoided his eyes, and Isabella looked between her father and newly wedded husband.

What scandal was he talking about?

"I was just a young boy, struggling to earn a living, and you decided to use it against me. Because I was ready to be your underdog for money?" He spat, his words dripping with bitterness.

"What is he talking about, father?" Isabella's small voice spoke up. "Luca, I was the one who betrayed you. I broke your heart. I ridiculed you. Please leave my father out of this. Leave my family out of this. Aren't you satisfied with ruining my life alone?" She pleaded, but all she got in reply was a loud laugh of disbelief from him.

Then his face suddenly turned hard and serious, and he threw an accusing stare at Mr. Moretti.

"You didn't tell her?"

Mr Moretti remained quiet, confirming his suspicions. Luca laughed again, but this time, it didn't reach his eyes.

"You really didn't tell her. My God. What a hypocrite. You didn't tell your daughter that her boyfriend was the underdog you used for your illegal dealings, and when things were about to get out of hand, you made him a scapegoat?"

"What?" Isabella paled, and he threw her a disgruntled look.

"How do you think we met? What would a poor nobody like me be doing around your circles? I was your father's underdog, but he asked me not to say a word to you. I thought he'd come clean after we broke up, but he didn't."

Isabella's face held an appalled expression.

"Father? Is that why you made me break up with him? Because you didn't want him associated with your name when the scandal was released? You ruined his life?" She asked. "Talk to me, father!"

She felt stupid. How could she not have known? He just disappeared into thin air after they broke up and she didn't hear about him since then.

"Be quiet!" Luca peered at her with a prowled look. "You're just the same as your father. One word from him and you abandoned the street thug. You could've stayed by my side. I loved you! You were the only one I had, but you left me high and dry."

He laughed bitterly.

"Not to worry. I'm back to repay it all." He threw a menacing look at Mr. Moretti, who had gone silent in shock. "Your scheme almost destroyed my life. Do you know what I had to go through in that slimy prison cell? The things I had to do to survive..." His gaze held a faraway look as he recollected those awful moments.

Moments that built him into what he is today. They made him tough and resilient.

Luca's lips curled up at the side, and he raised an eyebrow at him.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to kill you. Yet. I just want to give you a peek at the hell I went through. Your family almost ruined my life, so I'm here to ruin it. You and your daughter, your wife is just a bonus." He took a step towards him, and the man watched with a dreadful look. "I'll make you suffer. I'll break you all and then put you back together. Then I'll break you again. You'll beg for death, but that would be too easy of a punishment. I also begged for death, but it didn't come. I'll make you wish you were never born," he threw a look at Mrs. Moretti and Isabella. "Then your family would wish they never knew you. You, Isabella, would pay for how you treated me because I will bring hell to you, and when you begin to get used to it," he paused, and his face was rid of all emotions.

"I'll kill you."

Then he spun around and took a seat on the sofa, cross-legged. A big smile graced his face.

"Go get your things, wife. You don't want to keep your husband waiting, do you?"