CHAPTER 23

THIRD PERSON POV

Isabella stared at her phone, her heart sinking deeper into despair with every passing second. The glaring light of the screen illuminated the dark circles under her eyes, a testament to the sleepless night she'd endured. Her chest ached, her thoughts looping endlessly around Alexander's betrayal and the cruel message he'd sent her—not with words, but with money.

A notification chimed, drawing her attention.

Bank Transfer: R15,000 from Alexander Investments

The amount wasn't random; she knew exactly what it was for. Her stomach churned as anger bubbled to the surface. He didn't have the decency to call her, to speak to her like a human being. Instead, he sent her money, reducing her pain and her child to a financial transaction.

Isabella clenched her fists, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps.

"I can't do this alone," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. Her thoughts turned to Sarah, her only confidante in this storm. With shaking hands, she dialed Sarah's number.

It rang twice before a cheerful voice answered, "Hey, Bella! What's up?"

The sound of Sarah's voice cracked the fragile dam holding back her emotions. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she choked out, "Can you come over? Please, I... I need you."

Sarah's tone immediately shifted to concern. "Of course. Are you okay? What happened?"

"Just... come over," Isabella managed, her voice breaking.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes," Sarah said firmly.

Isabella hung up and slumped onto the couch, her body heavy with exhaustion. She stared at the ceiling, the weight of her circumstances pressing down on her like a boulder.

---

True to her word, Sarah arrived twenty minutes later, her face a mixture of worry and determination. She carried a small bag of snacks and a bottle of wine, her attempt to bring a semblance of comfort.

"Bella," she said softly as she entered, closing the door behind her. "What's going on?"

Isabella didn't respond right away. Instead, she threw herself into Sarah's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Hey, hey," Sarah murmured, stroking Isabella's hair. "It's okay. Let's sit down and talk, okay?"

They moved to the couch, and Sarah waited patiently as Isabella wiped her tears and tried to compose herself.

"It's Alexander," Isabella began, her voice hoarse. "He... he lied to me, Sarah. About everything."

"What do you mean?" Sarah asked, her brows furrowing.

Isabella took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she recounted everything she had learned. She told Sarah about John's investigation, Alexander's marriage, his history of cheating, and the callous way he had responded to her pregnancy.

By the time she finished, Sarah's mouth was agape, her expression a mixture of shock and fury.

"That absolute piece of garbage!" Sarah exploded, slamming her hand onto the coffee table. "I knew he was bad news, but I never imagined... Bella, I'm so sorry."

"I should've seen it," Isabella said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I should've known it was too good to be true. But I let myself believe him. I let myself fall in love with him."

"This is not your fault," Sarah said firmly, taking Isabella's hands in hers. "You couldn't have known. He's the one who lied, who manipulated you. None of this is on you."

Isabella shook her head, fresh tears streaming down her face. "I'm so stupid, Sarah. I didn't take any precautions. I didn't think... and now I'm pregnant, and he doesn't even care. He wants me to get rid of it, like it's some inconvenience."

Sarah's jaw tightened. "That man is a monster. He doesn't deserve you, and he sure as hell doesn't deserve to be a father."

Isabella placed a hand on her belly, her heart aching. "But what am I supposed to do, Sarah? I can't do this alone. I can't raise a child on my own. I don't even know if I want to keep it."

Sarah scooted closer, wrapping an arm around Isabella's shoulders. "Listen to me. Whatever decision you make, I'll be here for you. If you want to keep the baby, I'll help you. If you decide not to, I'll support you. But don't let Alexander's cruelty dictate your choices. This is your life, Bella, not his."

Isabella leaned into Sarah's embrace, her tears soaking her friend's shoulder. "I don't even know where to start," she admitted.

"One step at a time," Sarah said gently. "For now, let's focus on you. Have you eaten today?"

Isabella shook her head.

"Okay," Sarah said, standing up. "Let me make you something. You need to keep your strength up, especially now."

Isabella watched as Sarah moved to the kitchen, her heart swelling with gratitude. She didn't know what she would do without Sarah's unwavering support.

---

The rest of the day passed in a haze of emotions. Sarah stayed by Isabella's side, refusing to leave her alone. She made Isabella laugh with silly jokes, shared stories from work, and even indulged in a bit of lighthearted gossip.

But no matter how much Sarah tried to distract her, Isabella couldn't escape the weight of her situation. Every now and then, her hand would drift to her belly, a silent reminder of the life growing inside her.

As evening fell, Sarah sat across from Isabella at the dining table, her expression serious. "You don't have to decide anything right now," she said. "But whatever you do, you need to do it for you. Not for Alexander, not for anyone else. Just you."

Isabella nodded, her heart heavy. "I just wish things were different," she said softly.

"I know," Sarah said, reaching across the table to squeeze Isabella's hand. "But you're strong, Bella. Stronger than you realize. And no matter what happens, I'll be here for you. Always."

Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes as she looked at her friend. "Thank you, Sarah. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sarah smiled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You'll never have to find out."

For the first time in days, Isabella felt a glimmer of hope. It was small, fragile, but it was there. And with Sarah by her side, she knew she could face whatever came next.