Chapter six

Carly paced around her room feeling restless. She was angry Isabella was blaming her for everything , She dug her fingers into her hair and pulled on it , yelling curse words.

Meanwhile Ryan was still in Gwen's room looking after her since Isabella had left for work. When Gwen fell asleep Ryan left the room.

Ryan went down stairs to the garden to take some fresh air, there he saw Carly seated in the gazebo crying .He approached her.

Ryan didn't know what to say to his sister, all he did was hug her.

"Why do I always have to babysit you two?"Carly pushed Ryan away "go to your room and leave me alone!"

"Carly....."

"Get out.Go!"Carly yelled

Ryan frowns"I'll be in my room "Ryan gets up and left the gazebo.

Isabella was driving to her office when she got a call from

Isabella was driving to her office when she got a call from her assistant, Emily.

"Isabella, we have an urgent situation," Emily said, h er voice tense.

"What now?" Isabella sighed, rubbing her temples. She couldn't handle another problem on top of everything happening at home.

"The investors are demanding an emergency meeting. They want to review our progress on the new project."

Isabella groaned inwardly. This was the last thing she needed. "Alright, set it up. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

She ended the call and gripped the steering wheel tightly, her thoughts returning to Carly and Ryan. The tension between them was growing, and she didn't know how much more she could take. They needed to find a way to cope without her constant intervention.

As she parked her car and headed into the office, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text from Ryan:

*Gwen's fine. Carly's upset again. We need to talk when you get home.*

Isabella quickly replied: *We'll talk tonight. Stay strong, Ryan. I know it's tough.*

She pocketed her phone and walked into the conference room, forcing a smile for the investors. Her mind, however, was miles away, with her children and their fractured home.

Back at the house, Carly remained in the gazebo, her tears gradually drying up. She felt a mix of anger and guilt. She knew she was hard on Ryan, but the pressure was getting to her.

Ryan, meanwhile, sat in his room, staring out the window. He thought about their mother, wondering how she managed to juggle work and their family issues. He wished he could do more to help, but he felt powerless.

That evening, after a long and exhausting day, Isabella returned home. She found Carly in the kitchen, making herself a cup of tea.

"Hey," Isabella greeted softly.

Carly looked up, her eyes red but no longer crying. "Hi, Mom."

"Can we talk?" Isabella asked, gesturing towards the living room.

Carly nodded and followed her mother. They sat on the couch, and Isabella took Carly's hands in hers.

"I know things have been tough lately," Isabella began. "And I know I've put a lot of responsibility on you and Ryan to take care of Gwen. But we need to support each other, not tear each other down."

Carly looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "I just feel so angry all the Your attention is always on Ryan and Gwen it makes me feel jealous"

"I understand," Isabella said gently. "And it's okay to feel that way. But you need to find a way to deal with it without hurting your brother. He loves you, and he's trying his best too.I know Gwen almost drowning is not your fault I was just frustrated a sorry I yelled at you."

Carly nodded slowly. "I'll try, Mom."

Isabella hugged her tightly. "That's all I ask."

Later, the three of them gathered in the living room, while Gwen was still asleep Isabella spoke to Ryan and Carly together, encouraging them to communicate better and be there for each other. The road ahead was still uncertain, but they were a family, and together, they could navigate the challenges they faced.