Chapter 17: Scents of Yesterday

The morning began peacefully for Isabella. Sitting with Ethan in the dining room, they both enjoyed a simple yet cozy breakfast. The boy seemed more relaxed, and she took advantage of every moment to strengthen her bond with him, aware that time was ticking in the challenge imposed by Alexander. She knew every day counted.

—Would you like some more juice, Ethan? —Isabella asked with a smile, pouring him a glass of orange juice.

—Yes, thank you, Bella —he replied enthusiastically.

The warmth of the moment was abruptly shattered when the dining room door swung open. Miranda entered with determined strides, impeccably dressed and wearing a look of clear annoyance. Ethan pursed his lips at the sight of her, while Isabella felt the tension in the air rise.

—Good morning —Miranda said, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes—. Ethan, get ready, I'm taking you to the doctor in an hour.

Isabella set her cup down on the table and slowly stood up. She wasn't going to let Miranda break the agreement so easily. She maintained her firm stance, knowing she had to defend the promise made by Alexander.

—Miranda —Isabella said calmly but authoritatively—, I don't think that's possible. The deal was clear: you can't approach Ethan during this month. And that includes taking him to the doctor.

Miranda shot her a seething glare, the false smile disappearing from her face.

—Who do you think you are to dictate what I can or cannot do? —Miranda spat, her tone laced with venom—. I'm Alexander's fiancée, and I have every right to care for this child's well-being.

Isabella didn't back down; she looked Miranda directly in the eyes and replied without hesitation.

—I'm sorry, but that was what Alexander and I agreed upon. If you want to discuss it, it would be better to do so with him.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Miranda seemed to be struggling to hold back an explosion, but just as she opened her mouth to retort, Alexander's voice resonated from the entrance of the dining room.

—Isabella is right, Miranda.

Both women turned in unison. Alexander stood at the door, observing the scene with an unreadable expression. He walked towards them, his imposing presence filling the room.

—Isabella will take Ethan to the doctor today. It was part of the deal, and I expect it to be honored.

Miranda, visibly frustrated, clenched her fists and shot a furious glance at Isabella before turning to Alexander.

—This is ridiculous, Alexander. I'm his fiancée; don't you trust me to take care of a child?

—It's not a matter of trust —Alexander replied, crossing his arms—. It's a matter of what Ethan needs at this moment. And, according to the agreement, Isabella is in charge.

Miranda appeared to wrestle with her emotions, but ultimately took a step back, her gaze still filled with resentment.

—Fine —she said through gritted teeth—, but don't get too excited, Isabella. This isn't going to last forever.

Isabella remained calm, though inside she knew the battle with Miranda was far from over. Once Miranda left the dining room, she took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure.

—Are you ready to go to the doctor, Ethan? —she asked, smiling to reassure the boy.

Ethan nodded as Isabella prepared for what she knew would be a tense day.

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An hour later, Isabella and Ethan were at the doctor's office. The doctor, an older man with a kind face, was reviewing the child's records as he took his blood pressure.

—Everything seems to be fine —the doctor said, smiling at Ethan—. You're growing very strong.

Isabella felt a wave of relief wash over her with those words. However, before she could relax completely, the doctor looked her in the eyes with seriousness, lowering his voice so Ethan wouldn't hear.

—Miss Isabella —the doctor said in a confidential tone—, there's something I must mention to you. I've seen Miranda bring Ethan to several appointments before, and there's always been something that has caught my attention.

Isabella felt a knot form in her stomach, her curiosity and concern intertwining.

—What is it about? —she asked quietly.

The doctor paused, as if weighing his words.

—Miranda has always insisted on certain treatments for Ethan that, truthfully, were unnecessary for a healthy child like him. Treatments that might suggest she was looking for something more... something that didn't relate to Ethan's health.

Isabella frowned, confused.

—What do you mean?

—What I mean is that it seems Miranda was more interested in creating the illusion that Ethan had some health issue rather than actually curing him of something real —the doctor said cautiously—. She even requested additional tests, analyses that had no medical justification. As if she wanted to maintain the idea that Ethan needed constant attention... or perhaps, that someone else would believe it.

Isabella felt a chill run down her spine. Why would Miranda do something like that? Was she trying to manipulate the situation in her favor, creating a false illness for Ethan?

—Are you telling me that Miranda could have exaggerated or fabricated Ethan's health issues? —she asked, incredulous.

The doctor nodded slowly.

—I can't say it for certain, but it's a possibility I can't ignore. I just thought you should know.

Isabella took a deep breath, trying to process the information. This complicated the situation even more. If Miranda was willing to manipulate even Ethan's health to get her way, how far would she go?

She leaned toward the doctor, grateful for his honesty.

—Thank you, doctor. I'll keep in mind what you've told me.

When they left the appointment, Isabella held Ethan's hand more tightly than before. She was determined to protect him, not just from Miranda's whims but from any lies that could harm him.

Miranda had shown her true colors. Now, Isabella knew that the challenge was not only about getting Ethan to improve in school; it was also about protecting him from the shadows that surrounded him.

After the visit to the doctor, Isabella decided that Ethan needed some fresh air, so she took him to the mansion's garden. The day was sunny, and the grass looked perfect for an afternoon of outdoor play.

—Would you like to play with the ball, Ethan? —Isabella asked with a smile, pulling a colorful ball from a small basket.

Ethan nodded enthusiastically, running across the grass with his innocent laughter filling the air. Isabella watched joyfully as the boy had fun, darting from side to side, throwing the ball towards her.

—Catch it, Bella! —he shouted, throwing the ball toward her.

Isabella ran to catch it, but at that moment, Alexander appeared unexpectedly, walking through the garden while talking on the phone. He was so distracted that he didn't see Isabella running in his direction.

—Watch out! —Ethan yelled, but it was too late.

Isabella stumbled as she collided with Alexander. Her body lost balance, but before she could fall, Alexander caught her firmly by the waist, stopping her fall at the last second. Their bodies were just inches apart, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

The scent of Isabella, a soft blend of jasmine and vanilla, enveloped Alexander. There was something familiar about that smell, something that took him back to a distant place in his mind, but he couldn't quite identify it. As he held her, the feeling of déjà vu intensified.

Isabella, surprised by the contact, looked up to find Alexander's gaze fixed on her. He was looking at her with a mix of confusion and recognition. Both remained still for a moment, as if something in that contact had unleashed a forgotten memory in Alexander.

—Are you okay? —Alexander asked, his voice low and cautious, not yet releasing her.

—Yes, thank you —Isabella replied, feeling the warmth of his hand on her waist. Her heart raced, not only from the fall but from the intensity of the moment.

Alexand

er slowly released her, but something in his gaze remained distant, as if he were trying to decipher a puzzle.