Chapter 3 003

ISABELLA

FEW WEEKS LATER

Victoria stirred her lukewarm coffee, watching me with concern. "If this keeps up, you're going to regret everything."

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. "I'm thinking of resigning," I admitted. "I can't escape this nightmare. I'm obsessed with him, and it's not right."

"Before we continue the discussion, You look pale. Have you eaten today?"

I shook my head. "I can't."

Her frustration was evident. "Okay, so have you submitted your resignation?"

"No." I hesitated. "Help me do it?"

She laughed, though it was a brittle sound. "No, I would never. A single night's mistake has cost you your job, Isabella." Her tone held equal parts exasperation and pity. "I didn't know this would spiral so far out of control."

I swallowed hard, bitterness seeping into my words. "I didn't know... I thought I could forget, that I could move on." My voice trembled. "I never meant for any of this to happen."

"Did you even use any protection?" Victoria asked, almost as an afterthought, her eyes searching mine for answers.

I hesitated, then shook my head slowly. "No. I... I wasn't thinking."

Her frustration broke through. "Let's go," she said abruptly, rising from the table. "Hand over your resignation and leave. This is too embarrassing, if Sebastian gets wind of this, he'll have you labeled a cheap chick. What if his father and he planned this to make you feel guilty? To trap you in a web of shame?"

I sighed, feeling the weight of every accusation before it was even voiced. "No, Victor didn't even know I was his son's ex-girlfriend before we met," I managed to say, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

"Shut up, Isabella," Victoria snapped. "They just played you." She reached out and squeezed my arm, her grip both comforting and firm. "We're leaving now."

Without waiting for another word, we stepped outside and headed for her car. The drive to the hospital was a blur of tense silence and sporadic bursts of conversation as Victoria tried to reassure me that everything would eventually be okay.

We finally pulled up to the hospital entrance. As we stepped out of the car, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

That's when I heard a voice-a voice that sliced through the cold air like a razor.

"You whore,we all know the whole truth!"

I froze. The sound echoed off the building's walls, and my heart lurched painfully in my chest. I turned slowly toward the source. There, standing near the entrance, was Vanessa.

"Isabella," Vanessa spat, her tone dripping with contempt as she took a step forward. "You think you can hide your lies forever? How dare you still work in this hospital?" She said, trying to get hold of Isabella but Victoria stopped her.

"Don't you dare," Victoria seethed. "Not another word."

Vanessa's smirk faltered. "Oh, please. The truth hurts, doesn't it, Isabella?" She took a step closer, voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

I didn't say anything. The world tilted. My pulse roared in my ears. My knees buckled.

"Isabella?" Victoria's voice was distant. "Are you okay?"

Before I could answer, the pressure in my head became unbearable, and my vision tunneled to darkness. I closed my eyes, and the next moment, I felt my body give way. I fainted, collapsing against the wall with a soft, shuddering thud.

Victoria had already signaled for help-a couple of nurses rushed in, their expressions a mixture of alarm and professional concern.

"Call a code blue," one of them said sharply as she reached for my arm, checking for a pulse. Victor's hand was on my shoulder.

"Leave her be," Victoria snapped, her tone protective. "No one is to touch her except the nurses." Her eyes locked onto Victor's, and for a brief moment, I sensed a fierce, unyielding determination in her stance. "She's under my care."

Victor hesitated, then slowly withdrew his hand. "I... I'm just-" he began, his voice low and strained, but Victoria cut him off.

"Mr. Victor, this is not the time," she said firmly. "She's unstable. We need to get her to the examination room immediately." Victoria gestured to the nurses, who lifted me gently and began carrying me down the corridor.

Before they could whisk me away completely, Vanessa's voice rang out again, louder and angrier than before. "You all think this is all my fault?" she shouted, her eyes wild. "You're a liar, Isabella! And now everyone will see what a disgrace you really are!"

Victoria's face hardened. "Vanessa, stop!" she commanded, her voice echoing off the sterile walls. "Enough is enough!"

But Vanessa continued, her words tumbling out in a relentless torrent of accusations and slander. "You've done this before! The abortions, the lies-your whole life is a series of mistakes. You're nothing but a cheap, desperate woman who'll do anything for a man's attention! we have been friends before and I know all your lies"

I could hear Victoria's footsteps quickening as she advanced toward Vanessa. "I said enough!" she shouted, her hand rising. In one swift motion, Victoria slapped Vanessa,her eyes blazing with fury.

Victor stood off to the side, his expression filled with concern. He took a hesitant step forward, his hand reaching out as if to comfort me, but Victoria's glare stopped him.

"No one touches her," Victoria hissed. "I'm not letting anyone near her until we know she's stable."

The tension in the corridor was palpable. A few onlookers had gathered, whispers drifting in the air as the drama unfolded.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, he stepped back and said, "We'll settle this later. For now, let's focus on getting her the help she needs." His tone was measured, but the underlying tension was unmistakable.

"I appreciate" she said and then turned her gaze to Victor. "I think it's best if you leave." She added, her voice filled with anger.

Victor didn't say a word. He just turned and walked away.

The next thing I knew, my eyes fluttered open, and I found myself lying on a bed. My head throbbed, my body felt heavy.

"Victoria..." My voice came out hoarse as I blinked at the bright lights.

"Finally, you're awake." She stood beside me, expression unreadable, and handed me a folded paper.

I frowned, taking it. "What's this?"

Victoria crossed her arms. "Your test results."

A strange unease crept up my spine as I unfolded the paper. My eyes skimmed over the words, my heart slamming against my ribs.

"You're pregnant," Victoria said, her voice firm, final.

The room spun. My fingers tightened around the paper.

Pregnant?