Chapter 3: The Woman Behind the Smile
I didn't sleep that night.
I sat in my office watching the video again and again.
Every time Isabella's voice filled the room, I felt like I was meeting her for the first time.
The woman I loved had studied me.
She knew my habits.
My weaknesses.
My fears.
She knew exactly how to become someone I couldn't imagine losing.
At 4:17 in the morning, my mother appeared at the doorway.
She was wearing the old blue sweater she always wore when she was worried.
"You should rest.""
I looked at her.
"How long did you know?""
She stopped.
"About Isabella?""
I nodded.
She looked away.
"Six months.""
The answer hit me.
"Six months?""
"Nathaniel—"
"You watched her do this for six months?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I watched you fall in love with her.""
The anger disappeared.
Because I understood.
My mother wasn't protecting Isabella.
She was protecting me.
"I thought if I was wrong, I would destroy your happiness.""
I stood.
"Mom, she almost killed you.""
"I know.""
The way she said it broke me.
Not angry.
Not dramatic.
Just tired.
I hugged her.
For the first time in years, my mother felt fragile.
The next morning, I called my attorney.
Marcus had been my father's lawyer before becoming mine.
He arrived at noon.
He looked at the video.
Then he looked at me.
"Nathaniel, there is something you need to know.""
I leaned forward.
"What?""
He opened his briefcase.
"I received a request two weeks ago.""
"From who?""
He hesitated.
"Isabella.""
My hands tightened.
"What kind of request?""
Marcus placed a folder on the table.
"She wanted information about your family trust.""
I opened it.
Inside were copies of documents.
Private documents.
Documents Isabella should never have seen.
"How did she get these?""
Marcus looked serious.
"That's what I was trying to determine.""
My mother suddenly spoke.
"She had access.""
We both looked at her.
"To what?""
"The house.""
My stomach dropped.
"Mom?""
She touched the notebook.
"She convinced me she needed my spare key while she arranged the surprise engagement party.""
I closed my eyes.
A memory came back.
Three months earlier.
Isabella had hugged my mother.
She had called her "Mom.""
She had said:
"I finally know what having a family feels like.""
I believed her.
My mother believed her.
We were both wrong.
That evening, I returned to the penthouse.
I didn't tell Isabella I knew.
I needed answers.
She arrived at seven.
Wearing the same perfume I used to love.
Carrying the same smile.
"Nathaniel.""
She kissed my cheek.
I didn't move.
Her smile faded slightly.
"What happened?""
I poured two glasses of water.
"We need to talk.""
She sat down.
"About last night?""
"No.""
I placed my phone on the table.
I played the video.
For five seconds, Isabella watched.
Then her entire expression changed.
Not guilt.
Calculation.
She reached for the phone.
I grabbed it first.
"You recorded me?""
I stared at her.
"You mean the recording where you planned to destroy my mother?""
Her face hardened.
"You don't understand.""
"Then explain.""
She stood.
"You think Evelyn is innocent?""
I said nothing.
She laughed.
"There it is.""
"What?""
"That look.""
She pointed at me.
"The same look your father had.""
I froze.
"What does my father have to do with this?""
For the first time, Isabella looked genuinely angry.
"Your family destroys people and then pretends they're victims.""
I stepped closer.
"Who are you?""
She stared at me.
And then she said something I never expected.
"Ask your mother what happened to my father.""
The room went silent.
I looked toward the hallway.
My mother was standing there.
And she looked terrified.
"Mom?""
She didn't answer.
May you like
Because Isabella smiled.
"She never told you, did she?""
