Chapter 9 FAMILY SECRETS

Isabella's flat was eerily quiet. She prepared herself for the call she had been dreading by holding her phone to her ear with trembling hands. When her father responded, his tone was piercing and unyielding.

"Isabella," he said in a chilly voice. "I hope you've given your actions some thought. You understand the consequences of your actions.

She forced herself to speak even though her throat constricted. She said, "I've given it a lot of thought, Father," in a steady but slightly disobedient tone. "I've already decided."

The person on the other end of the queue paused for a while. As her father considered what she had said, Isabella could practically hear his frustration. "You're making a big error. You are mistaken to believe that you will gain control if you reject Sebastian. The goal of this child's choice is to ensure your future. You've never realized how important this decision is.

Isabella retorted, "I know it better than you do." "I've lived my whole life following your plan. However, I've reached my limit. I will no longer live my life in accordance with the expectations of others. I made this decision.

Her father's voice became louder and more demanding. "You've made your decision, but it will cost you everything I've worked for." Is that what you truly want?

His words made Isabella's heart hurt, but she was not going to back down. "Although I have always lived in your shadow, I will no longer do so. I'm going to design my own future.

Isabella briefly believed he had hung up when the line fell silent. Then his voice came back, colder than before. "I hope you understand what you've done. You'll be sorry you did this.

Isabella felt her father's disappointment pressing down on her chest as the call ended abruptly and she dropped her phone onto the couch. However, she experienced freedom rather than defeat. She was free of his expectations for the first time in years. It was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.

Her father called again, this time in a more measured tone, before Isabella had had time to comprehend what he had said.

His voice was steady as he said, "Isabella, we need to talk about the family business." It's not just about you and Sebastian. It's about your future and the future of this company."

She felt her chest tighten. She had always known that her father's push for her to marry Sebastian was about more than love; it was about legacy, about securing her place in the family's empire. Her stomach turned when she heard him acknowledge it in such a detached, businesslike manner.

"Every action you've taken has helped establish this business. We need to uphold our standing. And now, because of one poor choice, you're discarding everything," her father went on. "You believe that love will keep you safe, but it won't. That's not the case here on Earth.

Isabella's thoughts were racing. The moment was the most trapped she had ever felt. Although her father's words had always been significant, they felt oppressive this time. Her voice broke with emotion as she stated, "I would rather not be a part of this business if it means sacrificing who I am." "I'm not just interested in money and prestige. I want to be responsible for my life. A life I can be proud of."

The silence from her father was deafening. Then, his voice returned, low and angry. "This is something you'll regret. You are discarding everything I've built. You have consistently taken the lead. And you've decided to put it out now.

Isabella angrily declared, "I'm not putting out anything." "I've decided to light my path."

Isabella sat there with her heart thumping in her chest after the call ended. The reality of what she had just done began to settle in. She had cut herself off from the life she had known and her father's expectations.

The gravity of everything Isabella had just heard started to set in as she processed her talk with her father. Her illusions about her father's love for her were dashed when she heard him talk so openly about her role in the family business, even though she had always known he wanted control.

All along, she had been a pawn in his scheme. Her marriage to Sebastian was about upholding the legacy her father had laboriously cultivated, not about love or family. And up until now, she had been prepared to do her share.

The truth of her circumstances dawned on her as she sat on her couch. Her father wanted her to marry him for the business, but Sebastian had wanted her to do so for the baby. Until now, she had never had the freedom to make her own decisions.

With words full of truth, she whispered to herself, "I've been a pawn in his game." "I've never been involved in any of it."

Isabella got to her feet and started to pace the room as her frustration and rage grew. For too long, she had let her father rule her life. Sebastian had used assurances of stability and security to influence her. For the first time, however, she could see everything clearly.

Her voice was firm with conviction as she declared, "I will no longer allow them to control me." "I'll complete the task on my terms."

It was a liberating realization. Isabella was no longer constrained by the expectations of others. She was capable of making her own decisions and would no longer allow anyone to control her destiny.

Isabella's phone buzzed again, this time with a message from Sebastian. The words "We need to talk" made her stomach turn. Isabella, it's not over yet.

Her chest grew constricted. Despite her decision, she was unable to shake the nagging sense of loss. Yes, she had left Sebastian. However, the anguish of that choice persisted, serving as a continual reminder of their past together and the things she had recently discarded.

As she had done so many times before, she ran into Sebastian in the park. However, everything was different this time. Their once-strong bond felt strained now. Sebastian was standing across from her, his expression unreadable and his eyes cold.

"I apologise, Isabella," he said in a flat voice. "I made an effort to give you everything I believed you desired. However, you made a decision. I now have to make mine.

Isabella's heart fell. She wanted to get in touch with him and let him know that she didn't mean to hurt him. But the words wouldn't come. Like everything else that had slowed her down, she had to let him go.

The weight of her choice felt like a physical burden as they said their goodbyes. However, she was unable to return at this time. She had made her choice, and she had to live with it.

The quiet in Isabella's flat was nearly oppressive as she sat by herself. Despite having made her decision, the weight of everything was pressing down on her chest, threatening to crush her. Although the talks with Sebastian and her father had left her feeling emotionally spent, they had also provided her with fresh insight. She had decided to abandon the life she had grown up in, but the consequences were becoming increasingly clear.

Her hand automatically went to her stomach as she sat on the edge of the couch. Her kid. Despite all the chaos, her baby remained constant and solely hers. Nevertheless, she felt as though the world was crumbling around her. She was burdened by Sebastian's rejection, her father's icy remarks, and the pressure to make choices that didn't feel authentic to her.

Isabella, however, had no intention of giving up. She knew that this was her only option, regardless of how difficult things got or how many times she was told she was making a mistake. For herself. She was acting in the best interest of her child.

The phone rang, distracting her from her thoughts. Sebastian's name flashed in front of her eyes as she looked at the screen. She paused before responding. She wanted to ask him questions, apologise, and give him explanations, but she knew in her heart that nothing would change. No matter how much she wished for a different outcome, they could not return to the past because their lives had already taken separate paths.

Her voice was steady but tinged with fatigue as she took the call. Sebastian, what is it?

His voice was low and controlled as he said, "I've made my decision." "I can no longer do this. The situation is unclear, which makes it difficult for me to remain here. Do you wish to decide without my input? Alright. However, I am no longer able to participate in this.

His remarks pierced the thin layer of poise she had been clinging to like daggers. Even though she had anticipated this, she was devastated to hear it. Both of them had been so preoccupied with their expectations and worlds. And now both of them stood in the ruin of what might have been.

Isabella whispered, "I understand," her voice barely containing the pain. "This is not how I wanted it to be."

He shot back, "Isabella, you never wanted to make a decision." "You never showed any willingness to choose this life, me, or the family we could have had. You rejected everything I offered you.

His words caused her throat to tighten. Although the charges were severe, they were not false. He had hoped that she would choose him, but she had never really done so. However, she could not accept the life he was offering. No longer.

Her voice broke as she whispered, "I'm sorry." However, I cannot live my life for you, Sebastian. I must live for myself. I need to live for my child.

Isabella briefly believed he had hung up after a lengthy pause on the other end of the queue. However, he spoke again, this time in a quieter tone. "I didn't expect you to choose this option." However, you won't have to answer to me. Isabella, your father will make sure you feel awful about this.

The words struck her deeply. She said, her voice growing stronger, "I'll take care of that when the time comes." "But for now, I no longer base my decisions on the opinions of others."

She then hung up the phone.

Isabella got up, walked over to the window, and gazed out at the city below. Even though her soul was heavy and her heart hurt, she knew that the moment was her time. She had at last been set free from the bonds of expectation, the lies, and the future that others had attempted to force upon her.

It would not be simple. She would have to deal with the fallout from her decisions. Isabella, however, felt as though she was approaching something tangible for the first time in a long time.

With a gentle hand on her stomach, she looked at her reflection in the window. She muttered to herself, "I will never give up." "I'll defend this child." I'll defend my future.

Isabella realized that she was prepared for whatever came next.