Chapter 63: Love Unshaken

The world was always going to have something to say about their lives—about their marriage, about their love, about their every move. But Isabella was done listening. She had spent the last few days in the eye of a media storm, constantly battling accusations and rumors thrown at her and Antonio, from false claims of her being a “homewrecker” to the implication that their relationship was built on lies. It was tiring, to say the least, and yet, Isabella stood resolute.

Another day, another batch of reporters trying to stir the pot. The question was always the same: “How does it feel to have your marriage put under the spotlight? Do you worry about the impact on your relationship with Antonio?”

Isabella couldn’t help but scoff at the question. She was well aware of what they were trying to do—they were looking for cracks, for doubt, for any sign of weakness. But she wasn’t about to give them what they wanted. She knew what she had with Antonio, and no matter how hard they tried to tear them apart, she wasn’t going to let it happen. Not now, not ever.

She stood tall, facing the cameras with a defiant confidence that came from the deep love she had for the man who stood beside her. There were whispers and murmurs in the room, and the reporters, sensing that she was about to speak, quieted down.

She glanced at the microphone, then looked up, her eyes meeting the camera lens. “Let me make one thing clear,” she began, her voice calm but unwavering. “I don’t give a single shit about the opinions of the people in this room or anyone outside of it. You don’t know the truth. You don’t know me. You don’t know my husband. And that’s fine. You’re not entitled to it.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd, and Isabella felt a small thrill of power in her words. She had their attention now, and she wasn’t going to waste it.

“The truth,” she continued, “is between me and Antonio. No one else. We’ve been through hell and back together, and no amount of media circus or drama can change that. So, while you all keep digging and speculating, just know this: I don’t need your validation. I don’t need you to tell me I’m loved. I already know that. And what we have—this marriage, this bond—is built on love, trust, and mutual respect. Not on anything you can ever understand.”

Isabella’s eyes narrowed slightly as she thought of Valentina and the damage she had tried to do. The former wife, the woman who had left Antonio broken and hurt, was the very one trying to tear them apart. But Valentina’s influence, no matter how powerful, didn’t compare to the strength of what she had with Antonio.

“And as for Valentina Ferrari,” Isabella added, her tone ice-cold, “she may have influence, she may have power, but she doesn’t have love. And she certainly doesn’t have a marriage built on trust. You can keep following her story, keep trying to create drama, but I won’t justify my actions to a group of people who have no interest in the truth. I won’t waste my time.”

She turned slightly, looking at the reporters one last time, her gaze sweeping across the room. “I’m happy with the man I’m married to. I’m happy with the life we’ve built. That’s all that matters. And no one—not even Valentina—can take that away from me.”

She didn’t wait for a response before walking away, the weight of the moment hanging in the air. She was done. She didn’t need to explain herself to anyone, not anymore.

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Later that evening, when the chaos of the day had calmed down and Isabella was finally home, the silence between her and Antonio spoke volumes. He had watched her during the press conference, his admiration for her growing with every word she spoke. She was strong, fearless, and protective of their love in a way he could never have imagined before.

He didn’t know how he had gotten so lucky to have her in his life, but he was never going to let her go. She was his rock, his guiding star, and tonight, he was determined to show her just how much he loved her.

The evening had settled into a quiet comfort, with the house bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Isabella was in the kitchen, preparing a late dinner, when Antonio stepped into the room. He moved behind her, his hands slipping around her waist, pulling her close.

“I’m so proud of you,” he murmured in her ear, his voice thick with emotion. “The way you handled the press today, the way you always stand up for us… you amaze me every single day, bella.”

Isabella smiled softly, her heart warming at the sincerity in his voice. She leaned back into his embrace, her head resting against his chest. “I’m just doing what I have to do. For us, for Luca… I’m not going to let anyone tear us apart.”

Antonio’s heart swelled with affection as he kissed the top of her head. “And I’m so damn lucky to have you, Isabella. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to truly express just how much you mean to me.”

Isabella turned in his arms, her eyes meeting his, and for a moment, they both stood there, silent, just lost in each other’s gaze.

But then, Antonio’s expression softened, a playful glint appearing in his eyes. “I have a surprise for you,” he said, his voice low and teasing.

She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “A surprise? What is it?”

Without saying another word, Antonio reached down, lifting the hem of his shirt and revealing the tattoo that rested near his heart. It was her name—*Isabella De Luca*—written in elegant, flowing script, just above his heart. Isabella’s breath caught in her throat as she gazed at the tattoo, the simple yet powerful gesture taking her completely by surprise.

“I got this for you,” Antonio said softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Because you’re mine, and I want the world to know it.”

Isabella’s hand flew to her mouth in shock. She had never expected something like this—something so personal, so deeply symbolic. But Antonio wasn’t done yet.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He opened it to reveal a necklace with a pendant shaped like a heart. The pendant was inscribed with his name—*Antonio De Luca*—in a similar elegant script to the tattoo on his chest. It was stunning, delicate, and yet, it held so much meaning.

“Put it on,” Antonio whispered, holding the necklace out to her.

Isabella took it from him, her hands trembling slightly as she fastened the necklace around her neck. As the pendant rested against her skin, she felt the weight of his love around her—a love that she had never doubted, even in the darkest of times.

Antonio leaned down, brushing his lips against her cheek, then whispering in her ear, “I want you to wear this, always. It’s a reminder that you’re mine. And I’m yours. Forever.”

A soft sigh escaped Isabella’s lips, and she turned her face to meet his, her lips gently pressing against his in a kiss that spoke of everything they had been through and everything they still had to face together. It was a kiss filled with love, passion, and the unspoken promise that no matter what the world threw at them, they would always have each other.

As they pulled away, Isabella smiled softly, her hand resting over the necklace he had given her. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “For the tattoo, for the necklace… for everything. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more loved in my life.”

Antonio smiled, his heart swelling with happiness. “And I’ll spend every day making sure you feel that love. Because you deserve it, bella.”

They stood in the soft, quiet glow of their home, the world outside them far away. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought, what anyone else said. What mattered was the love they shared, the love that could never be broken.