The Meeting

Isabella felt her heart race as she approached the small café where she was supposed to meet Victoria. The air was thick with tension, and though the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the city, Isabella felt none of its comfort. She clutched her phone tightly, knowing that Alex was close by, watching from a distance.

She had insisted on meeting Victoria in a public place, not only for safety but because she wanted her sister to feel exposed—unable to hide behind the shadows where she had been conspiring with Ethan. As she stepped into the café, she spotted Victoria seated near the back, her face calm, as though nothing was wrong.

"Isabella," Victoria greeted her with a cold smile, standing up to embrace her. But Isabella stepped back, refusing the gesture.

"Let's get to the point," Isabella said, her voice firm.

Victoria's eyes flashed with something—anger, perhaps? Or guilt? But she quickly masked it with a serene expression. "Fine. I'm sure you've heard some things about me by now."

"I've heard enough," Isabella shot back, sitting across from her. "You've been working with Ethan. You betrayed me, your own sister. I want to know why."

Victoria's calm demeanor faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained control. "You wouldn't understand. You've always had everything—Alex, the family's love, their attention. And what did I get? I was always in your shadow, Isabella."

Isabella blinked, stunned by the bitterness in her sister's voice. "You're my sister. We were never supposed to compete. This isn't about who gets more attention—this is about you helping a criminal who tried to destroy our family!"

"You don't get it!" Victoria snapped, her voice rising. "I was doing what I had to do. Ethan made me promises—he promised that if I helped him, we could both take what we deserved. He promised me everything."

Isabella felt her heart break at the words. "And you believed him? You threw away our relationship for some empty promises?"

Victoria leaned back, crossing her arms defensively. "It wasn't just about the promises. I wanted to make you suffer. To show you that you're not the perfect, untouchable princess everyone thinks you are."

Isabella clenched her fists under the table, fighting back the hurt. "So, that's it? You were willing to risk everything—our family, our safety, my life—just to settle some petty grudge?"

Victoria scoffed. "You're still so naïve. Ethan wasn't the only one with a plan. I had my own goals, and once I helped him bring you down, I would've taken what I wanted."

Isabella stood up, her voice shaking with anger. "You're wrong, Victoria. You didn't break me. You didn't win."

For the first time, Victoria's mask slipped, and a flicker of doubt crossed her face. But before she could respond, Isabella continued. "Ethan's gone, and soon, so will you be. Alex and I will make sure of that."

Victoria's eyes narrowed. "You think you can stop me?"

"I know I can," Isabella said, her voice steady now. "And you're going to regret everything you've done."

Just then, Isabella's phone buzzed. She glanced down and saw a message from Alex: "It's time. Leave now."

Isabella didn't hesitate. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the café, leaving Victoria sitting there, alone with her thoughts. As she stepped outside, she spotted Alex leaning against his car, waiting for her.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly as she approached.

Isabella nodded, though the confrontation had left her shaken. "I am now. But we need to finish this."

Alex put his arm around her, guiding her to the car. "We will. Victor's gathering the final evidence. Soon, Victoria will face the consequences."

Isabella looked up at him, her eyes filled with determination. "I won't let her destroy us."

Later that evening, Alex and Victor finalized their plan to expose Victoria. With the evidence they had collected—financial records, phone calls, and even surveillance footage of her meetings with Ethan—they were ready to make their move.

"We'll present everything to the authorities tomorrow," Alex said as he sat with Isabella in their study. "But I want to give you the option. We can either handle this quietly, or we can let the world see what she's done."

Isabella thought for a moment. It was a difficult decision—Victoria was still her sister, no matter how much she had betrayed them. But after everything that had happened, she couldn't allow her to get away without facing the consequences.

"I want the truth to come out," Isabella said quietly. "She made her choices. Now, she has to live with them."

Alex nodded, respecting her decision. "I'll make the call. We'll make sure she can't hurt anyone else again."

The following day, everything moved quickly. Alex's legal team presented the evidence to the authorities, and soon, Victoria's world came crashing down. Arrest warrants were issued, and within hours, the media picked up the story. The once-glamorous and respected Victoria was now at the center of a public scandal.

Isabella watched the news unfold with mixed emotions. It hurt to see her sister's life unravel so publicly, but she also felt a sense of justice. Victoria had made her choices, and now she was facing the consequences of her betrayal.

Later that evening, as Isabella sat in the nursery, gently stroking her swollen belly, Alex came in, sitting beside her.

"It's over," he said softly. "Victoria's been arrested."

Isabella nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "I know. I saw the news."

Alex took her hand, his thumb gently caressing her palm. "You've been so strong through all of this. I'm so proud of you."

Isabella smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. "We're almost there, Alex. Just a little more, and we can finally have peace."

Alex kissed the top of her head. "We will, Isabella. I promise."

As they sat there, the darkness of the past few months seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of hope for the future. The twins would be born soon, and they could finally start their lives free from the shadows of betrayal and danger.

For the first time in a long while, Isabella felt a sense of calm.

They had survived the storm. Now, it was time to heal.