Chapter 4

Isabella's POV

Gabriel's gaze lingered on me for a moment, and he murmured to himself: "Strange, your scent... it's somewhat different."

I froze. My scent? What was he talking about?

"I—I don't understand," I stammered, instinctively taking a step back, trying to create distance between us, but his eyes seemed to pierce through my disguise, seeing into my deepest secrets.

He didn't say anything more, appearing lost in thought, but quickly resumed his cold expression and turned to leave.

"Wait!" I called after him, desperation making me bolder. "Please give her another chance. Sarah has always been responsible and dedicated to her work. One mistake shouldn't—"

"Mr. Vasquez has said all he has to say," a deep voice interrupted from behind me.

I turned to find two security guards approaching me with expressionless faces.

"Ma'am, you need to leave now," one of them placed his hand on my arm, attempting to pull me away.

I shook off his hand. "I just need five more minutes with him. This is important!"

The guard's grip tightened on my arm.

"Let go of me!" I tried to break free, but his grip was like iron. "Mr. Vasquez!" I called out, but Gabriel had already disappeared into his mansion.

The security guards began forcibly escorting me out. In my struggle, my foot caught on the uneven pavement, and I stumbled, falling hard onto the ground. Pain shot through my knees and palms as they scraped against the concrete.

Tears of humiliation stung my eyes as they practically pushed me outside the gates. I stood there for a moment, brushing dirt from my clothes with trembling hands.

So much for appealing to his better nature.

As I limped away, I couldn't shake the feeling that my troubles were only beginning.

The next afternoon, I was sitting cross-legged on the playroom floor, reading to Emma and Jack. They were nestled against me on either side, their faces rapt with attention as I gave each character a different voice.

"'But how will we ever find our way home?' asked the little rabbit," I read, making my voice small and tremulous.

"'We follow the North Star,' said the wise old owl. 'It will always—'"

The door suddenly burst open. Emma and Jack's mother stood in the doorway, her face grim, her eyes filled with anger and disgust.

"Isabella," her voice was tight. "A word, please. Now."

My heart sank. The children looked up at me with wide, confused eyes.

"I'll be right back," I promised them, setting the book aside. "We'll finish the story in just a minute."

In the hallway, Emma and Jack's mother paced back and forth, an iPad clutched tightly in her hand. She thrust it toward me without ceremony. On the screen was footage showing me outside the Vasquez mansion, being roughly handled by the guards and falling to the ground.

"Would you care to explain this?" she demanded.

"Mrs. Carson, I—"

"Do you know who Gabriel is?" she said coldly, keeping her voice low enough that the children couldn't hear. "Yesterday Jack was nearly hit by a car while in your care, and now I find out you've been harassing one of the most powerful men in Silver Creek City!"

"I wasn't harassing him," I argued. "I was just trying to speak with him about a friend—"

"I don't care," she cut me off. "The security team at Galaxy District forwarded this to us. Do you understand what position this puts us in?"

My cheeks burned with shame. "Mrs. Carson, please let me explain—"

"I'm sorry, Isabella, but I think it's best if you leave now."

"What?"

"But the children—"

"We'll find someone else," she said coldly. "You'll receive two weeks' severance pay, but I need you to leave immediately."

"At least let me say goodbye to the children." I pleaded, thinking of Emma and Jack waiting for me to return and finish their story.

She shook her head. "That's not necessary. You should leave now."

Five minutes later, I stood on the sidewalk outside their home, a check in my hand and tears streaming down my face. I loved those two children, and now I couldn't even say goodbye to them.

All because of Gabriel. He not only coldly refused to help Sarah, but also caused me to lose my job. This was the second time I walked away from Galaxy District with shame and loss.

As I trudged back to my extended-stay apartment, reality crashed down on me brutally. I had no job. All my savings had gone to artificial insemination. If I was pregnant... how would I provide for my child?

Things seemed to get even worse. When I returned to my place, I found a letter from the bank about an overdue loan. I tore it open with trembling fingers.

"Final Notice: Loan Payment Overdue."

Oh God, no.

Memories came flooding back. Brian had convinced me to take out a substantial loan for an "investment opportunity" he'd found. He said it was a sure thing, enough to finally give us the financial stability to start a family. Like a fool, I'd trusted him.

Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and dialed Brian's number. However, no one answered the call.

I hung up, my heart pounding with rage and fear, and suddenly a name flashed through my mind—Jessica. As much as I hated to contact her, she might know where Brian was hiding.

I dialed her number, half-expecting no answer. To my surprise, she picked up on the third ring.

"Isabella?" Her voice was sickeningly sweet.

"Is Brian with you?" I demanded, skipping any pleasantries.

"What? No, of course not!" She sounded flustered. "Why would you think—"

"Don't pretend, Jessica," I snapped. "I already know about you two."

She tried to explain: "Isabella, this isn't what you think..."

I cut her off. "I don't care about your relationship. I just need to talk to Brian now."

"You don't care?" Jessica laughed shrilly, her voice filled with malice.

"Did you know? Brian and I are having a baby! You pathetic waste, can't even get pregnant, do you think your uterus is as worthless as your life? Brian told me he had to fake excitement every time you had sex, but with me, he doesn't even want to use a condom! Look at who Brian truly loves, who really deserves happiness! He said you're so boring in bed, just lying there like a dead fish with no response."

Jessica's words hit me like a heavy punch to the chest, but immediately afterward, an unprecedented anger exploded from within me.