Chapter 9: Isabella confronts Miranda

Isabella woke up the next day with a feeling of unease. The conversation with Alexander the night before lingered in her mind, and her concern for Ethan only grew. She had seen the way Miranda looked at him, as if the boy were a burden she had to tolerate rather than a person deserving of affection. She knew she had to stay strong, not just for Ethan but for herself. She hadn't come this far to let someone like Miranda intimidate her.

As she descended the stairs to the dining room, she was surprised to find Alexander having breakfast alone. His face was shadowed, as if he, too, had a difficult night. She hesitated for a moment but decided to approach.

—Good morning —she said softly, unsure if she was ready for another confrontation.

Alexander looked up and observed her for a few seconds before nodding.

—Good morning —he replied, his voice tense but controlled.

The silence that followed was uncomfortable, almost oppressive. Isabella sat down across from him, pouring herself some coffee. She knew there was much to say, but she didn't know how to begin. It was Alexander who broke the silence.

—I spoke with Miranda this morning —he said suddenly, his gaze fixed on his coffee cup—. She told me you misunderstood the situation yesterday. She was just trying to get closer to Ethan.

Isabella felt frustration beginning to burn inside her. She knew Miranda was lying, but she also knew that Alexander was blind to his fiancée.

—And that's what she told you? —Isabella replied, trying to keep calm.

—Miranda has no reason to lie —Alexander said firmly—. I know Ethan can be difficult, but she is trying. It's not easy for her either.

Isabella held back a sigh. She could understand that Alexander wanted to see the best in his fiancée, but at what cost? And at what price for Ethan?

—I’m not saying it’s easy —Isabella replied—. But what I saw last night was a terrified child from someone who should protect him, not scare him. You have to see that, Alexander.

Alexander stared at her, as if her words had shaken him somehow. But before he could respond, footsteps were heard on the stairs.

Miranda appeared, with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She wore a pristine dress, and her makeup was perfect as always, but there was something in her posture that radiated coldness.

—Ah, Isabella —she said with a false sweetness—. What a surprise to see you here so early. Did Ethan sleep well after our little chat last night?

Isabella felt her muscles tense at the condescending tone of Miranda. She slowly rose from the table, trying to maintain control.

—He slept well after I stayed with him —Isabella replied, keeping her gaze fixed on Miranda—. He didn’t seem very comfortable when you were there.

Miranda's eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile remained intact. She took a couple of steps toward Isabella, as if measuring the distance between them.

—He’s a sensitive child. Sometimes it’s hard to know what he needs —she said, her tone soft yet filled with venom—. But I’m sure that, in time, he will learn to adapt.

Isabella felt her heart racing in her chest. She was about to respond when Alexander stood up, placing himself between the two.

—This isn’t the time to argue —he said, weariness in his voice—. Miranda, Isabella is just concerned about Ethan. You know it’s complicated for him.

Miranda kept her smile, but there was something dangerous in her eyes when she looked at Isabella.

—Of course I know, darling. I just want what’s best for our future as a family.

Isabella felt a chill at those words. She couldn’t stand by, not after what she had seen. However, before she could say anything else, Ethan appeared in the doorway of the dining room. He was still wearing his pajamas, and his expression was timid, as if he were unsure of what to do.

—Good morning —he said softly, looking at Isabella with a weak smile.

Isabella smiled back, although the tension in the room hadn’t dissipated.

—Good morning, champ —she replied, kneeling to be at his height—. Are you hungry?

Ethan nodded, but didn’t move toward the table. Instead, he cast a cautious glance at Miranda, as if he were waiting for her reaction. Isabella noticed immediately, and her heart ached even more.

—Come here, Ethan —Alexander said, trying to ease the atmosphere—. Let’s have breakfast.

Ethan walked slowly toward his father, but his gaze didn’t leave Miranda. She, meanwhile, maintained her unwavering smile, but Isabella could see the coldness in her eyes. There was no doubt that something dark lurked behind Miranda’s perfect facade, and it became more evident that Ethan sensed it.

Breakfast passed in uncomfortable silence. Ethan ate slowly, hardly speaking, while Alexander tried to maintain a casual conversation with Miranda. Isabella, for her part, could barely concentrate on her food. Her attention was entirely focused on Ethan and the way his body seemed to be in constant tension.

When they finished breakfast, Miranda stood up and walked over to Ethan. She looked at him with a smile, but there was something strange in her eyes.

—Ethan, darling —she said gently—, why don’t we spend some time together? I would love to take you to play at the park.

Ethan looked at her with wide eyes, clearly nervous.

—I... I want to stay with Isabella —he replied quietly, glancing at his nanny as if she were his refuge.

The atmosphere in the room changed immediately. Miranda straightened, her expression becoming tenser, although her smile didn’t fade.

—Don’t be silly, Ethan —she said, her tone still sweet but laden with a subtle threat—. Isabella needs to rest a bit. I can take care of you today.

Ethan looked at Isabella, pleading. She looked at him tenderly, but before she could say anything, Miranda had already taken his hand.

—Come on, I don’t want you to think I don’t want to spend time with you —Miranda said, gently tugging at the boy.

Isabella stood up immediately.

—Why don’t we let him choose? —she suggested, her voice filled with controlled calm—. If Ethan wants to stay with me, he should be able to do so.

Miranda released the boy’s hand and looked at her with a mixture of surprise and disdain.

—Ethan is a child —Miranda replied—. He can’t decide what’s best for him.

—I believe he can —Isabella interjected, not backing down—. And if he wants to stay with me, we should respect his decision.

Alexander, who had been silently observing the interaction, finally spoke.

—Miranda, I think the best thing is to let Ethan do what makes him feel most comfortable for now. It’s clear he needs time to adapt —he said, trying to sound conciliatory.

Miranda pressed her lips together, visibly irritated, but said nothing more. Isabella felt a small victory, but she also knew this would only complicate matters.

When Miranda left the room, Isabella remained close to Ethan, who clung to her leg seeking comfort. She felt a deep desire to protect him from any harm that might lurk in that house. Something was not right, and the longer she stayed there, the clearer it became.

But as she stroked Ethan's hair, a single question l

ingered in her mind: What was really happening behind Miranda’s smiles and perfect appearances?