A Difficult Decision

The next morning, Alex woke up early, his mind still wrestling with the decision he had made the night before. Isabella was sound asleep next to him, her soft breathing the only sound in the quiet room. He stared at the ceiling, his thoughts swirling around the idea that had been bothering him ever since they left his parents' estate.

He didn't want to admit it, but his parents were right. With his frequent business trips and the increasing danger surrounding them, he couldn't always be there to protect her. As much as it pained him, the best place for her was with his parents, at least until the baby was born. They could provide the care and protection that he couldn't guarantee when he was away. And deep down, he knew that they had changed—especially his mother, who seemed genuinely invested in the well-being of Isabella and the baby.

But convincing Isabella of this was another matter entirely.

He rolled onto his side, watching her peaceful face as she slept. Her hand was resting on her growing belly, and a pang of love and concern hit him like a wave. He knew she'd be hesitant about moving to his parents' house. After all, their relationship with his mother had started on shaky ground, and Isabella had every right to be wary.

As she stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open to meet his, Alex leaned in to kiss her gently on the forehead.

"Good morning," he whispered, his voice low.

She smiled sleepily, stretching a little. "Good morning. You're up early."

"I couldn't sleep. I've been thinking," Alex replied, shifting so he could sit up. He glanced out the window before looking back at her. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

Isabella sat up slowly, her brow furrowing. "What is it?"

Alex took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I've been thinking about what my parents said yesterday. About you staying with them for a while, at least until the baby is born."

Isabella's expression changed instantly. She looked surprised, then concerned. "Alex… I don't know about that. I mean, I know your father has been kind, but… your mother…"

He sighed. "I know. I had the same concerns. But I've thought it through, and I think it might be the safest option for you and the baby."

Isabella frowned, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the edge of the blanket. "But what if your mother is just pretending to like me now? She never wanted me to be part of this family. What if things go back to how they were?"

Alex reached out, taking her hand gently. "I don't think that'll happen. I've seen how she's changed since she found out about the baby. And my father would never let her treat you badly. He adores you."

Isabella bit her lip, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I just… I don't know if I can trust her. What if it's all just for show?"

"I won't let that happen," Alex promised, squeezing her hand. "I'll make sure you're comfortable, and I'll talk to my mother again. If she tries anything, you'll come right back home. But with everything that's happening—with Ethan still out there, and me having to travel so much—I can't stand the thought of you being alone or unprotected."

Isabella looked down at her belly, her hand resting protectively over it. "I get it, Alex. I do. But it's just… it's hard to think about staying there after everything."

Alex's eyes softened, and he leaned in, placing a gentle hand on her belly as well. "I want you and the baby to be safe. I wish I could be with you every second of the day, but with my business trips, I can't always be there. But my parents can. They're both home all the time, and they have the resources to keep you safe."

Isabella was quiet for a moment, thinking it through. She knew Alex was right. With everything that had happened recently—the threat of Ethan, her kidnapping—she had to admit that the idea of staying somewhere safe was appealing. And as much as she wanted to believe that Alex's mother had changed, she couldn't completely shake off the feeling that it could be an act.

"I'm scared, Alex," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if I go there and… what if they don't accept me? What if I'm more of a burden to them than anything else?"

"You're not a burden," Alex said firmly, cupping her face in his hands. "You're my wife. You're carrying our child. And they know that. My father has been waiting for a grandchild for years. He's not going to let anything happen to you. And my mother… I think she's starting to realize that she was wrong about you. She's warming up. Trust me, if I had any doubt that you wouldn't be treated like the queen you are, I wouldn't suggest this."

Isabella looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and love in them. She could feel his protectiveness and his desperation to do what was best for her and their baby. And while her fears hadn't completely faded, they had eased slightly.

"What if I don't fit in there?" she asked softly. "I don't come from their world, Alex. I'm… I'm still just me."

Alex smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "That's exactly why they'll love you. You're real. You're not like them, and that's a good thing. My parents are learning that, too."

Isabella sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Okay… okay, I'll do it. I'll stay with your parents. But only because I know you're right. I want to keep the baby safe, and I know I can't do that alone."

Relief flooded Alex's expression, and he pulled her into a hug. "Thank you. I promise, this is the right decision."

Isabella rested her head on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. She wasn't sure if this was the right decision, but she knew Alex would never suggest something like this if he didn't believe it was necessary. And for now, she would trust him.

"Just promise me one thing," she whispered against his chest.

"Anything," Alex replied, holding her tighter.

"Promise me you'll come back for me soon. I don't want to be away from you for too long."

Alex kissed the top of her head, his voice soft and filled with warmth. "I promise. As soon as it's safe, we'll be together again."

And with that, the decision was made. The next day, they would move her to his parents' estate, and although Isabella was still nervous, she was also determined to make it work—for Alex, for their baby, and for their future together.