Chapter 4: The Secret She Hide

“Isabella…”

Daniel’s voice was quieter now and careful.

Like he was afraid of what he had just noticed.

His eyes remained fixed on her hand—Resting protectively over her stomach. The room suddenly felt smaller.

Too quiet and too exposed.

Isabella’s fingers twitched slightly, as realising too late what she had done.

Slowly… she lowered her hand.

But it was already too late.

Daniel had seen.

“You’re pregnant?”

The question hung in the air.

Heavy and unavoidable.

Isabella didn’t answer.

She couldn’t.

Because saying it out of loud would make everything real in a way she wasn’t ready for.

Daniel took a step closer.

“Isabella, look at me.”

She hesitated.

Then slowly lifted her eyes.

His expression wasn’t judgmental.

He wasn't angry either.

It was something worse and a concern.

He asked gently.

“A few weeks.”

The words came out barely above a whisper.

Daniel exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.

“And Andrew?”

Her silence answered him.

A shadow crossed his face.

“He doesn’t know.”

It wasn’t a question this time.

Isabella shook her head.

“No.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

The question came too quickly and too directly.

And for the first time—Her expression hardened.

“No.”

Daniel frowned.

“Isabella”

“I said no.”

Her voice wasn’t loud.

But it was stady and final.

The room fell silent again.

Daniel studied her carefully.

Trying to Understand.

“Why?” he asked after a moment.

Her hands tightened slightly in her lap.

“Because I know him.”

The word was simple.

But heavy with meaning.

“He didn’t want me,” she continued quietly. “What makes you think he would want this?”

Daniel’s jaw tightened.

“That’s not the same thing.”

“It is.”

Her eyes lifted again, meeting him.

And this time—There was no hesitation in them.

“If I tell him, it won’t be because he cares,” she said. “It will be because he feels responsible.”

A bitter smile touched her lips.

“I don’t want my child to be someone's responsibility.”

She paused.

Then added softly—“I want them to be wanted.”

The words settled deep in the room.

Daniel didn’t respond immediately.

Because he understood.

And that made it harder to argue.

“So you’re going to do this alone?”

“Yes.”

No hesitation and no doubt.

Just quiet determination.

Daniel stared at her for a long moment.

Then finally sighed.

“You’ve always been like this.”

She blinked slightly.

“Strong,” he added. “Even when you shouldn’t have to be.”

Isabella gave a faint smile.

“Someone has to be.”

Across the city.

Andrew Collins stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, his reflection staring back at him.

The city lights stretched endlessly below, controlled and predictable.

Just the way he liked it.

But tonight…

Something felt off.

His mind drifted—uninvited—Back to the moment Isabella walked away.

No tears, no begging, nothing at all.

His fingers tightened slightly at his side.

It didn’t make sense.

For three years, she had endured everything without complaint.

So why leave so easily now?

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in.”

Abigail stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the floor.

Elegant, composed as always.

“You missed dinner,” she said lightly.

“I wasn’t aware I needed supervision.”

Her smile didn’t falter.

“I was concerned.”

Andrew didn’t respond.

Instead, he turned slightly, his eyes returning to the window.

“She didn’t take anything.”

The words came suddenly.

Unexpectedly.

Abigail’s expression shifted—just slightly.

“What?”

“The settlement,” he clarified. “She refused it.”

A brief silence followed.

“That’s pride,” Abigail said smoothly. “It won’t last.”

Andrew didn’t look convinced.

“She’s not that type.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the room went still.

Abigail’s eyes sharpened.

“Not that type?” she repeated softly.

Andrew didn’t respond.

Because for the first time—He realized something.

He didn’t understand Isabella as much as he thought he did.

Back in Daniel’s apartment.

Isabella sat quietly, a glass of water in her hands.

Her mind was calmer now.

But her body… still felt exhausted.

Daniel leaned against the wall, watching her.

“You should see a doctor.”

She nodded slightly.

“I will.”

“And you need to rest.”

“I know.”

He hesitated.

Then asked—“Does anyone else know?”

She shook her head.

“No one.”

Not her family, not Andrew, no one.

Daniel exhaled slowly.

“Then I guess I’m the first.”

A small silence followed.

Then Isabella spoke again.

“You don’t have to be involved.”

He frowned.

“What?”

“This isn’t your responsibility,” she said softly. “You’ve already done enough.”

Daniel let out a quiet laugh.

“You really don’t get it, do you?”

She looked at him, confused.

I’m not helping you because I have to, he said. I’m helping you because I want to.

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard.

For a moment…

She didn’t know what to say.

So she said nothing.

And somehow.

That said everything.

Later that night.

Isabella lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Her hand rested gently over her stomach again.

“This is our life now,” she whispered.

No mansion, no luxury and no Andrew.

Just her.

And the child she was carrying.

It was terrifying.

But also…Strangely peaceful.

Because for the first time

She wasn’t waiting for someone else to choose her.

She had already chosen herself.

Miles away.

Andrew stood alone in the dark.

For reasons he couldn’t explain…He couldn’t sleep.