Chapter 51 Chapter 51
Chapter 51 Chapter 51
Isabella’s POV
Asher’s arms suddenly slackened, his hold on me loosening until I was the only one still clinging to the hug. My brows furrowed. Something felt off. Gently, I pulled back, searching his face. His eyes were wide, distant, like he’d seen a ghost.
“Asher, what happened? Are you okay?” My voice wavered with confusion.
He blinked rapidly, then forced a crooked smile. “It’s nothing, Bella. I’m just… so happy about the news that I don’t know how to act.”
I gave him a soft smile, though a knot of unease tightened in my chest. Taking his hand, I guided it to my stomach and held it there.
“I told you I wanted a baby, Asher. And you gave me one.” My voice trembled with joy. “Now I know this child will be protected at all costs, especially because you’re the father.”
But he didn’t respond. His gaze drifted somewhere else, unfocused. He seemed completely lost in thought.
“Asher!” I called his name, gently shaking his hand. “What’s the matter? Aren’t you happy?”
His eyes finally met mine, and this time, they were steady. “I am happy, Isabella. Trust me.” He squeezed my hands and pulled me into a firm embrace, one that chased away the flicker of doubt in my heart. I let myself melt into it, a smile slowly returning to my face.
We moved to the couch, his arm draped around me as I settled beside him. “So,” I began, unable to contain the excitement bubbling inside me, “what are we going to name our child?”
“If it’s a boy,” he said with a grin, “we’ll name him Derek.”
“And if it’s a girl?” I asked, already imagining tiny footsteps and soft laughter filling the room.
“Bella,” he said simply, still smiling.
I blinked. “Why would we name her after me?”
“Because she’ll be just as precious,” he said, reaching out to pinch my cheek playfully. “She deserves your name.”
His words made my heart flutter. I took his hand again and smiled. “In that case, if it’s a boy, we’ll name him Asher. Because his father is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
A shadow passed over his face, but I continued, needing to say what was in my heart.
“I didn’t think I’d ever heal from what Zachary did to me. I really thought that betrayal would define me for the rest of my life. But then you came along and showed me what real love feels like. I know you’d never betray me, Asher.”
His expression softened, though something in his eyes still seemed distant.
“Promise me,” I whispered, resting my forehead against his, “that there’ll never be any lies between us. We’ll always be honest with each other.”
He hesitated—just for a second—then looked into my eyes and smiled gently. “Yes, Bella. No secrets. Just honesty.”
I closed the space between us and kissed him softly, sealing the promise with love.
“Thank you,” I whispered, leaning in and resting my head on Asher’s chest. But something felt off. His heartbeat—rapid and erratic—thudded against my ear. Faster than usual. Was he nervous? Or just overwhelmed with emotion? I smiled softly, brushing the thought away. He must be excited about this new chapter in our lives. I truly hope this happiness never gets taken from me.
I strolled through the garden, my fingers grazing the tops of flowers swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of blossoms mixed with ripe fruit hanging from the trees calmed me, wrapping around my senses like a warm memory. This place reminded me of my childhood on the farm—days spent laughing with my father, running barefoot through rows of crops and playing beneath the sun. Back then, life was simple. Safe. Whole.
But that peace shattered the day my father died.
We had to leave it all behind and fall under the mercy of Maris. Bitterness welled up in my chest just thinking about her. I hated her. I hated how helpless I felt, how I couldn’t protect my family. And yet, I tolerated it. I endured everything because I thought I had found someone who truly loved me. But it had all been a lie.
My thoughts scattered as I caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance—her back to me, but unmistakable. That hair… only Zara had a color like that. What was she doing out here?
I stepped closer, but before I could call out to her, she turned around sharply. The suddenness of it made me flinch.
“Do you want something?” she asked, her gaze fixed directly on me.
I straightened. “No… nothing. I don’t want anything,” I replied, trying to sound casual.
But her eyes flickered strangely, and a grin tugged at her lips. My heart skipped. Her gaze dropped to my stomach. Reflexively, I placed a protective hand over it.
“Congratulations,” she said, smiling—eerily calm. “You’ll have a very healthy baby.”
I stiffened. How did she even know I was pregnant? Then again, of course she would know. She wasn’t normal. She was… something else. Something other.
“Thanks,” I murmured, uneasy.
“You shouldn’t get worked up about anything,” she added, her tone oddly gentle. “And make sure you get enough rest.”
“Thanks… I guess,” I said slowly, unsure why she was suddenly so concerned.
“Anything for my successor.”
I blinked. My eyes widened. What?
“What did you just say?” I asked, my voice catching with confusion.
Zara tilted her head, her expression almost innocent. “Don’t tell me you haven’t been informed yet.”
“Informed?” I repeated, irritation creeping into my tone. “What the hell are you talking about? Tell me what you mean.”
“Isabella!” a voice called from behind.
I turned to see Sean walking toward us, his usual easy smile on his face.
“So this is where you are,” he said, stopping beside me. Then, turning to Zara, he gave a respectful bow. She smiled faintly before turning and walking away, her presence as strange and elusive as always.
“Wait! I need you to tell me what you meant by that!” I called after Zara, my voice rising in urgency. But she didn’t stop. She didn’t even glance back. Her figure disappeared down the path like a ghost vanishing into the trees.
“What’s the matter?” Sean asked, appearing beside me with concern etched into his face. His tone was gentle, but alert.
“It’s nothing,” I said quickly, forcing a calm I didn’t feel.
“Asher asked me to check on you—to make sure you were okay,” he added, still watching me closely.
“I’m fine,” I replied, though my mind was far from it. “Just… take me to my mom.”
He nodded, falling into step behind me. I walked in silence, but my thoughts screamed. Zara’s words echoed in my head over and over again. “Anything for my successor.” What did she mean? Why did it make my skin crawl?
When we reached my mom’s place, I turned to Sean. “You can come in.”
He shook his head with a polite smile. “I’ll wait out here.”
I didn’t press him. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside.
“Mom,” I called softly, making my way to her.
She turned with a warm smile and pulled me into a hug. “Bella.”
Her embrace was soothing, grounding—something I desperately needed right now.
“Where’s Tessa?” I asked, pulling back just enough to look at her.
“She’s out looking for a job,” my mom replied.
“She didn’t tell me. I could’ve helped—gotten her something easily.”
“She wants to do it on her own,” she said, her smile tinged with pride. “Let her try.”
I nodded, offering a faint smile in return, but it didn’t reach my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” my mom asked, her smile fading. “You seem restless. Bella, you’re pregnant now—you can’t be stressing yourself.”
“I know, Mum.” I exhaled and sat down beside her. “It’s just… Zara. She said something earlier that’s been bothering me.”
Her expression grew cautious. “What did she say?”
“She congratulated me on the pregnancy… and then she said something strange. She called my baby her successor.”
At once, my mother’s eyes widened. The blood drained from her face.
“Mom?” I said quickly, sitting up straight. “Why are you looking at me like that? What does that mean?”
She stumbled back a step, as if the air had been knocked out of her.
“Now I understand,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Now I know why she’s here, Bella.”
My heart began to pound. “Why? What do you mean?”
“She’s here to take your child away.”
My breath caught in my throat. I stared at her, stunned.
“What?” I managed to whisper.