Chapter 12: The Ultimatum

She found him in his office, reviewing documents. Upon entering, Alexander looked up, surprised by her presence. His eyes, which used to be warm, now showed a fatigue that weighed more than usual.

—Isabella? —he asked with a slight frown—. Is everything okay?

She closed the door behind her, her heart racing. She knew what she was about to say wouldn’t be easy, but she had to do it. Ethan was worth it.

—Alexander, I need to talk to you about something important —she began, trying to sound calm even though her nerves threatened to betray her.

He set the papers aside, leaning forward with interest.

—Go ahead.

Isabella took a deep breath before continuing.

—I overheard a conversation between you and Miranda last night... about Ethan.

Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.

—What did you hear?

—I heard Miranda say she wanted to send Ethan away, out of the country —she said quickly, feeling the pressure building in her chest—. She wants to separate him from you, from his home. I don’t understand how you could even consider something like that.

Alexander narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed by the confrontation.

—Miranda is just worried about Ethan's well-being —he said, his voice firm—. The situation is not as simple as you think, Isabella. Ethan has had problems that we cannot ignore.

Isabella stepped forward, her voice cracking slightly from the intensity of the situation.

—but... he’s just a child! Do you really think the best thing for him is to send him away from his home, away from his father? I know he can be mischievous at times, that he can be complicated, but sending him away isn’t the solution.

Alexander stood up from his seat and approached the window, looking out at the garden where Ethan used to play. He remained silent for a moment, as if debating something internally.

— I don’t want to push Ethan away — he finally said, his voice soft —. But I can’t ignore the problems he has. I don’t want him to grow up being a troubled child who can’t fit in even in his own life.

Isabella looked at him, her heart tightening. She knew that Alexander wasn’t a bad person, that he was struggling between what he believed was right and the fear of failing as a father. But she couldn’t allow Miranda to win. Not when she felt so deeply that something more was at stake.

— What do you want me to do, Alexander? — she asked, pleading in her voice —. Tell me what I can do to prevent you from pushing him away. Ethan needs you. I know you love him, even if you don’t always show it in the right way. If you really care, please give me a chance to help him.

Alexander turned to her, his dark eyes evaluating her sincerity.

— I want Ethan to change, Isabella. I want him to show that he can be a normal boy, that he can behave and get good grades. If he can achieve that, I won’t have any reason to send him away.

Isabella felt a spark of hope, but also the weight of the responsibility that Alexander had just placed on her shoulders.

— How much time do I have?

— A month — he said, crossing his arms —. If during that time Ethan doesn’t improve, if he doesn’t get back to studying and getting good grades, I won’t have any other option but to send him abroad. I can’t keep waiting for miracles.

A month. It was all she had to save Ethan from being sent away. Isabella nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in her throat.

— I will do whatever it takes.

— I trust you will — Alexander replied, but his tone was harsh, as if doubting that Ethan could change so quickly.

Before Isabella could say anything more, the office door swung open abruptly. Miranda entered unannounced, a smile on her lips that didn’t reach her eyes.

— Ah, dear Isabella, am I interrupting something? — she asked in an excessively sweet tone that made Isabella shiver.

Isabella couldn’t hold back anymore. She stepped toward Miranda with eyes full of contained fury.

— What were you doing in Ethan’s room last night? — she demanded, her voice trembling with indignation.

Miranda’s smile faded completely, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

— That’s none of your business — she replied coldly —. My dealings with Ethan don’t concern you.

— They concern me when it comes to him — Isabella shot back —. You are cruel to him, you scare him. I don’t know what you’re planning, but I warn you, I won’t let you hurt him!

Miranda let out a dry laugh, looking Isabella up and down as if she were insignificant.

— Do you really think you have any power here, Isabella? — she said, venom in her voice —. You are nothing more than a mere nanny. What right do you have to interfere in how I raise Alexander’s child?

Isabella felt the air escape her lungs. Miranda’s words stabbed like knives, but she couldn’t let that stop her.

— Ethan is not your child — she snapped, surprising even Alexander, who was silently watching the scene —. And he will never be. You can try to control him, but you will never earn his love or respect.

Miranda seemed to lose control for a brief moment, stepping threateningly toward Isabella, but Alexander interposed himself between them.

— Enough! — he ordered authoritatively, looking at both Isabella and Miranda —. I will not allow this to become a personal battle. Miranda, you’ve said enough. Isabella, you’ve heard my conditions. Now we all need to calm down.

Miranda stepped back, her eyes still shooting daggers at Isabella, but she didn’t say anything else. Alexander, however, turned to Isabella, his features relaxing a bit.

— Isabella, you have a month — he said again —. Do your best.

— I will — she replied firmly, knowing that what was at stake was much more than Alexander even imagined. There was something in her connection with Ethan, something she needed to uncover. And she had no time to waste.

Isabella remained silent, breathing heavily after the intense argument. She couldn’t allow things to continue like this. Ethan was at the center of a storm he didn’t even understand, and Miranda’s presence in his life was a constant threat. She knew she couldn’t protect the boy alone, but she also knew that if Alexander had even a minimum of consideration for Ethan, he would accept one last condition.

Just when it seemed everything had ended, Isabella took a step toward the door. She paused and turned to look at Alexander firmly while Miranda maintained that satisfying smile that infuriated her.

— Alexander — she said, in a calmer voice but filled with determination —, if you truly want Ethan to change, if you expect me to be able to help him improve, then I have one condition.

Miranda let out an incredulous laugh from the corner of the room.

— A condition? You? — she mocked —. Please!

Alexander, who had already concluded the conversation, turned to Isabella, intrigued but somewhat impatient.

— What are you talking about, Isabella? What condition?

— During this month — she said bravely, looking at both of them —, I want Miranda to stay away from Ethan. She cannot approach him or interfere in his daily life. I need you to give me the space and freedom to work with him without her scaring or pressuring him.

Isabella’s words fell like a bomb. Miranda was speechless for a second, clearly surprised that the nanny dared to impose anything on her. Then, with a sneer of disdain, she walked over to Alexander, taking his arm with feigned sweetness.

— Alexander, you can’t let her do this — she said in a seductive voice —. It’s ridiculous! I just want what’s best for Ethan, and you know that. You can’t exclude me from his life for a month.

Alexander observed the scene, clearly feeling the pressure from both sides. On one hand, he knew that Miranda was a figure of authority in his life and had an important role in his relationship. But on the other hand, he couldn’t ignore the fact that Miranda and Ethan didn’t get along, and that, in many ways, she seemed to be making the child’s situation worse.

— Isabella… — Alexander started, as if he were considering refusing.

— It’s all I’m asking — Isabella interrupted, stepping forward —. A month. If you truly want Ethan to have a chance to change, then I need your support. I need you to let me do it without Miranda interfering. If you don’t, then there will be no way to save him.

The look in Isabella’s eyes showed unyielding resolve, and Alexander couldn’t help but notice the sincerity in her words. He turned to look at Miranda, who still wore a look of surprise and anger on her face.

— It’s crazy, Alexander — Miranda hissed —. You can’t let a simple nanny manipulate you like this.

There was a long silence in the room as Alexander contemplated his decision. He knew that whichever path he chose would have consequences. But after all, what mattered most was Ethan. If he truly wanted to give him a chance, perhaps he should allow Isabella to try her method.

Finally, he took a deep breath and lifted his gaze to meet Isabella’s.

— Fine — he said firmly —. I accept your condition. Miranda, for the next month, you will not approach Ethan.

Miranda looked at him in disbelief, yanking her arm away sharply.

— You can’t be serious! — she shouted, her face transformed by rage —. Ethan is just as much my responsibility as yours!

— He is not — Alexander replied, his voice authoritative —. For now, Isabella is right. We need to give him a chance to change without any more pressures.

Miranda stood still for a few seconds, biting her lips as if she were about to explode. But seeing the unyielding determination in Alexander’s gaze, she knew she had lost this battle, at least for now. She turned abruptly toward the door, throwing one last hateful glance at Isabella before leaving the room without saying another word.

When the door closed, the silence in the office was almost suffocating. Isabella felt her body relax a bit, though she knew the real struggle was just beginning.

Alexander sighed, running a hand over his face, clearly exhausted by the tension of the confrontation.

— You have a month, Isabella. I hope you’re ready to fulfill what you promised.

— I am — she replied firmly, knowing that there was no turning back.

Without another word, Isabella left the office, her heart still racing, but also filled with a new determination. She knew that what was at stake was much greater than Alexander understood. Ethan deserved more, and she would do everything in her power to protect him, even if she still didn’t fully comprehend why that need was so strong inside her.

As she walked down the hall, a blurry image crept into her mind. It was a delivery room, blinding white lights, the sound of a machine monitoring the heartbeat… and a cry. A baby. Isabella blinked, stopping dead in her tracks as a sense of déjà vu enveloped her. Why did that image seem so familiar?

She shook her head, trying to shake off the vague se

nse of distress. She didn’t have time for confusing memories. She had a month, and Miranda wasn’t going to give up so easily.