Chapter 77

ISABELLA

As I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of my dress, a knot of anxiety twisted in my stomach. Tonight was the night—dinner at Freddie and Rebecca’s. I knew I was confident in my decision, and I knew my love for Asher, Jax, and Knox was real. But despite all of that, I couldn’t shake the apprehension about how Freddie and Rebecca would react when they learned that I was in a relationship with three men.

I sighed, giving myself one last look before turning away from the mirror. “You’ve got this, Isa,” I whispered to myself, trying to summon the courage I needed. Just then, Asher appeared behind me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss the top of my head.

“Thanks,” I replied, managing a small smile. “I just hope they don’t think I’ve completely lost it.”

He squeezed my shoulder gently. “They care about you. That’s what matters.”

Asher’s presence was comforting, but the nerves were still there, gnawing at the edges of my resolve. When we left for dinner, I noticed how quiet the car was. The weight of what was about to happen hung over all of us. The only one who seemed genuinely excited was Alex, who wasn’t with us in the car but was sure to be waiting for us at his parents’ house with his mate, Chase. He’d probably been anticipating this moment for the drama it could potentially stir up.

When we arrived at Freddie and Rebecca’s, Alex and Chase were already there, standing on the front steps, waiting for us. Alex’s grin was as wide as ever, his excitement contagious. But instead of calming me, it only heightened my nerves.

Rebecca welcomed us into their warm, familiar home with her usual warmth, and Freddie’s firm hug felt like an anchor in the storm of my emotions. The smell of home-cooked food filled the air, and for a moment, I let it soothe me, reminding myself that these were people who loved me like family.

The dinner started off well enough, the conversation flowing easily as we caught up on the latest news. But as the meal progressed, I knew the moment was coming when I’d have to address the elephant in the room. My heart pounded in my chest as I glanced at Asher, Jax, and Knox, who all gave me reassuring nods.

Taking a deep breath, I set down my fork and looked at Freddie and Rebecca. “There’s something I need to tell you both,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m in a relationship… with all three of them.”

For a moment, there was silence, and I held my breath, waiting for their reaction. Rebecca’s eyes widened slightly, and Freddie’s brows furrowed. The tension in the room was thick, and I braced myself for the worst.

But then, to my surprise, Rebecca smiled softly. “Isabella, what matters most to us is that you’re happy,” she said, her voice full of sincerity. “If these three men make you happy, then that’s all that matters.”

Freddie nodded in agreement and then did something that caught me completely off guard. He reached across the table, taking my hand in his large, warm one. “Isa,” he said, using the nickname he’d called me ever since I was a teenager, “you’ve been like a daughter to us for years. We’ve seen you go through so much. All we’ve ever wanted is for you to find someone who makes you feel cherished. If these three men do that, then you have our blessing.”

I felt the tension drain from my body, replaced by a rush of relief and gratitude. “Thank you,” I whispered, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “That means the world to me.”

Freddie gave my hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. His gaze was full of affection, and I realized just how much this moment meant to him as well. He leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched us.

Alex, who had been sitting quietly, watching the whole exchange with a keen eye, finally broke the silence with a grin. “I knew this was going to be good,” he teased, nudging Chase, who rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless.

As the evening continued, I couldn’t help but marvel at how well everything was going. The boys were charming, respectful, and genuine, and it was clear that Freddie and Rebecca were beginning to see why I loved them.

At one point, Freddie pulled Asher, Jax, and Knox aside for a private word. I watched them from across the room, my heart swelling with emotion as I saw the way Freddie spoke to them. His words were quiet, but I could tell from their expressions that he was giving them his blessing.

When they returned to the table, Asher took my hand under the table, squeezing it gently. “You’re right,” he whispered. “This was the right decision.”

I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. Despite all my fears, the evening had turned out to be everything I’d hoped for and more. I knew then, as I sat surrounded by the people I loved, that everything was going to be okay. And for the first time in a long time, I felt truly at peace.

As the evening continued, the conversation flowed easily, laughter filling the room as Alex recounted another one of his wild stories. I was enjoying myself more than I’d expected, feeling the warmth of acceptance from everyone around the table. But every now and then, I caught Rebecca looking at me with an amused expression, her eyes twinkling with something I couldn’t quite place.

I tried to brush it off, focusing on the conversations and the delicious meal, but her knowing smile kept nagging at the back of my mind. What was she thinking? Had I done something odd? I hadn’t spilled anything or made a fool of myself—at least, I didn’t think I had.

Later, as I helped Rebecca clear the table, I found myself alone with her in the kitchen. The others were still deep in conversation, their voices a comforting hum in the background. I carried a stack of plates to the sink, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. She was wiping down the counter, still wearing that amused smile.

I couldn’t take it any longer. “Rebecca, can I ask you something?”

She looked up, her smile widening. “Of course, dear. What’s on your mind?”

I hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit silly for asking, but I had to know. “I’ve noticed you’ve been looking at me a certain way all evening. Is something up?”

Rebecca let out a soft chuckle, setting the dishcloth aside. She turned to face me fully, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of amusement and affection. “Well, I couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t had a drop of alcohol all night.”

My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t even realized I’d been so careful. I opened my mouth to respond, but she held up a hand, stopping me gently.

“It’s nothing to be worried about,” she said, her tone warm and understanding. “But I’m guessing there’s a reason for it, and I have a feeling I know what it is.”

I bit my lip, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. Of course she’d noticed. Rebecca had always been observant, especially when it came to me. I nodded slowly, unsure of what to say.

Rebecca stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my arm. “You don’t have to explain if you’re not ready, Isabella. But if I’m right, and if you are expecting… well, I want you to know how truly happy I am for you.”

Her words sent a wave of emotion through me, and I couldn’t help but smile, even as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. “I am,” I admitted softly. “We haven’t told many people yet, but… yes, I’m pregnant.”

Rebecca’s smile grew even warmer, and she pulled me into a gentle hug. “Oh, Isabella, that’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you and the boys. You’re going to be an amazing mother.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, hugging her back tightly. “It means so much to hear you say that.”

She pulled back, her eyes misty with tears of her own. “You’ve always been like a daughter to me, Isabella. Seeing you so happy, with a family of your own on the way, it just fills my heart with joy.”

I felt a surge of warmth and gratitude, knowing how much Rebecca cared for me. This moment, sharing my secret with her, made me realize just how blessed I was to have people like her in my life. As we returned to the dining room, my heart felt lighter, the earlier apprehension fading away.