Chapter 15: The Challenge Begins

The morning arrived with sunlight filtering through the curtains of the room. Isabella slowly woke up, feeling the warm weight of Ethan still curled up next to her. For a moment, everything seemed perfect, but reality soon crept in, reminding her of the conversation she had with Alexander. She had one month to prove that Ethan could change, or else she would send him away. And Miranda... She couldn't allow her to get close to the boy.

Carefully, she slipped her arm away to avoid waking Ethan. She watched his sleeping face, serene for the first time in a long while. There was something about him that she couldn't comprehend, a strange connection that she felt every time she looked at him. Why did she care so much for this boy? And why, at night, did she have those flashes of memories that felt so confusing and distant?

She sighed, got out of bed, and decided that the best way to start the day was to prepare breakfast. She knew that the upcoming weeks would be crucial, and she had to be ready for whatever came next.

As she descended the stairs, she heard voices coming from the living room. When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she saw Alexander and Miranda in an animated conversation. She was visibly upset, her eyes blazing with contained anger, while Alexander maintained a cold and controlled tone.

— I can’t believe you’re actually considering leaving Ethan here — Miranda shot, crossing her arms —. You know that the best thing is to send him to a clinic abroad. He needs professional help, Alexander. It’s the most sensible thing!

Isabella stopped dead in her tracks, her heart began to race. She recalled the conversation she had overheard the night before when Miranda suggested that Ethan was not his biological child. What was that woman plotting? She felt rage beginning to rise in her chest. She knew that Miranda didn’t care for Ethan; it was evident. She only cared about Alexander and the control she could exert over him.

— Miranda, I told you this is non-negotiable — Alexander replied calmly —. I’ve given Isabella a month to see if Ethan improves. If not, then I will consider sending him away, but not until that time is up. And don’t forget that during this period, I don’t want you near him. Those were the conditions.

Miranda frowned, clearly annoyed, but Isabella felt a sense of relief upon hearing Alexander’s words. At least he was sticking to what they had agreed upon. Still, the tension in the room was palpable.

— Do you really trust that babysitter to do what you, as a father, haven’t been able to? — Miranda reproached him —. Don’t be naïve, Alexander! She has no idea what she’s doing, and you know it. That boy needs more than a mere babysitter to straighten him out.

Isabella, who had been listening from the shadows, clenched her fists tightly. She knew that Miranda didn’t trust her, but hearing her say those things in front of Alexander filled her with fury. Just when she was about to intervene, she heard a soft movement behind her. Turning around, she saw Ethan standing at the top of the stairs, his little eyes filled with fear and uncertainty, clearly having heard every word.

— Ethan... — Isabella whispered, walking toward him before he could descend the stairs by himself.

The boy looked at her and then quickly glanced at his father and Miranda. Isabella felt his little body tremble as she took his hand.

— Let’s go have breakfast, okay? — she said softly, trying to calm him, though she knew he had heard too much.

As she led him to the kitchen, she could feel him gripping her hand tighter than usual. She knew he was scared, and she couldn’t blame him. This whole situation must be terrifying for a child like him. But if there was one thing she was sure of, it was that she wasn’t going to let Miranda hurt him, either emotionally or physically.

— Can I stay with you today? — Ethan asked in a trembling voice as he sat at the table.

— Of course — Isabella smiled at him —. Today we have a lot to do, remember? We’ll start with studying and... we’ll also have time to play, does that sound good?

Ethan nodded, but Isabella could see that something was still bothering him. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she had to find a way to restore his trust.

While she prepared breakfast, her mind continued to churn over what she had heard. Miranda’s words tormented her. She couldn’t let that woman separate Ethan from his father, but she needed more than determination to accomplish that. She had to earn Alexander’s trust and, above all, help Ethan improve.

As she served the plates, she recalled once again those vague and confusing memories that assailed her at the most unexpected moments. It was as if her subconscious was trying to tell her something important, something she couldn’t decipher. A hospital, a sense of loss... but every time she tried to remember, the images faded like a dream.

— Isabella — Ethan’s soft voice pulled her from her thoughts —, why doesn’t Miranda like me?

The question took her by surprise, but she didn’t let it show on her face. She sat down beside him, looking at him tenderly.

— Ethan... it’s not that she doesn’t like you. It’s just that she doesn’t always understand how special you are — she replied gently, avoiding delving into the truth —. But the important thing is that I’m here for you, okay? And I always will be.

Ethan looked at her for a long moment, as if trying to process her words, and then nodded slowly.

— Thank you, Isabella — he murmured, returning his focus to his breakfast.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Miranda continued to press Alexander.

— You can’t trust that babysitter. It’s clear she has no control over Ethan. Look at him! The boy remains as unruly as ever, and shows no improvement. Are you going to risk his future just because of a hunch?

Alexander took a deep breath, rubbing his temple in frustration.

— I gave a deadline, Miranda. I’ll keep my word, and if after this month there’s no change, I’ll reconsider the options.

Miranda stepped closer to him, gently caressing his arm, shifting her tone to a more seductive one.

— Darling, you know I only want what’s best for you... and for us. I don’t want anything to interfere with our plans. You and I... we’re a perfect couple. We just need to get rid of the distractions.

Alexander looked at her for a moment, but before he could respond, Isabella appeared in the living room doorway, her face serene yet firm.

— If I may interrupt — she said in a calm but determined voice —, I’d like to remind you that during this month, Miranda cannot get close to Ethan. That was part of the agreement, right, Alexander?

The man nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off Isabella, while Miranda shot her a venomous glance.

Isabella didn’t budge an inch, standing firm in her place. She was ready

to fight for Ethan, no matter how many obstacles she had to face.