Chapter 56 Chapter 56

Chapter 56 Chapter 56
  Isabella’s POV
  I stared at the painting in front of me. It should’ve made me happy—it was a glimpse of the future I wanted with Asher and our child. But something about it felt… off. The colors were warm, the figures smiling, yet a quiet unease tugged at me.
  “Are you okay, Bella?”
  Tessa’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at her and forced a small smile.
  “I’m fine,” I said, but she narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.
  “Are you sure?” she asked again, her tone softer this time.
  “Yes, I’m sure. No need to worry about me, sister. I’m always good.”
  “Alright then,” she said, though doubt lingered in her expression. She turned her canvas toward me, her eyes lighting up. “What do you think of mine?”
  I blinked at it. The proportions were off, the colors clashing in chaotic streaks—but it was Tessa’s. She’d never been great with art, but this… this was a new level of terrible.
  “You’re awfully quiet,” she said, tilting her head.
  “I love it,” I replied with a straight face.
  “Liar.” She chuckled. “It’s shit, and we both know it.”
  “Then why do you paint?” I asked, genuinely curious.
  Her expression softened, lips tugging into a nostalgic smile. “Because it’s what Dad loved most. Painting makes me feel closer to him. That’s why I’ll never stop, no matter how bad I am.”
  She set her painting aside and walked over to me, eyes widening as they landed on mine.
  “Wow, Bella… your painting is amazing. Dad would be so proud that at least one of his daughters inherited his talent.” She beamed at me, her voice full of warmth. “I just hope—no, I pray—your life with Asher and your baby turns out just like this.”
  I gave her a faint smile. “I hope you’re right.”
  Her brows furrowed. “Why do you say that?”
  I hesitated. Should I tell her about Zara? Or keep it to myself?
  “Bella,” she said, reading me easily. “I know when you’re hiding something. Tell me.”
  I straightened, my tone shifting. “It’s nothing, Tessa. Just got caught up in my feelings, that’s all.” I stood and dusted off my jeans. “I think we’re done here. Let’s head home.”
  “Don’t forget your painting,” she reminded me as she began packing up.
  I nodded, carefully picking it up. We checked out and stepped into the cool air outside the studio.
  “Are we waiting for a cab, or is Sean picking us up?” she asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
  “Sean’s on his way. He just texted me.” I held out my phone to show her the message. She nodded.
  Just then, a voice called out.
  And my heart skipped a beat.
  “I knew I’d find you here,” he said, a trace of excitement in his voice as he stepped in front of us.
  Zachary.
  My eyes widened as the name echoed in my mind.
  “What are you doing here?” Tessa snapped, stepping in front of me protectively and nudging me behind her. Her voice dripped with contempt. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face after everything you did.”
  “I’m still technically her husband,” he said, smugness creeping into his tone. “I have every right to come see my wife.”
  I rolled my eyes in pure disgust.
  “Are you insane or just choosing to be stupid?” Tessa shot back, her voice rising with fury. “You stopped being her husband the second you couldn’t keep your damn pants on. My sister doesn’t need you. Stay the hell away from us. And in case your memory’s as pathetic as your loyalty, the council ordered you to stay away from her.”
  “Watch it,” Zachary growled, his voice sharp with warning. “Don’t forget who I am. Don’t you dare raise your voice at me.” He stepped forward, his glare fixed on Tessa. “I came to speak with Isabella—not you—so get the fuck out of my way.”
  “You should be the one leaving,” she snapped. “This isn’t your territory. You don’t belong here. So get the fuck out, Zachary.”
  A muscle in his jaw twitched. “That’s Alpha Zachary to you,” he snarled.
  Tessa scoffed, unimpressed. I could hear the sharpness of his breath, the way his chest rose and fell like a ticking bomb.
  “That’s enough,” I said, stepping forward.
  He looked at me, startled.
  “You shouldn’t be here, Zachary,” I said, my voice calm but laced with cold irritation. “I don’t want any more problems. Just leave.”
  “Bella, I—”
  “It’s Isabella,” I cut in, my tone icier. “Don’t call me that. What do you want?”
  The flicker of hurt in his eyes didn’t move me. I didn’t care about his feelings—not anymore.
  “I just wanted to see how you’re doing,” he said, voice softer now. “I miss you.”
  I rolled my eyes. Of course he did.
  “Our divorce may not be finalized, but we both know there’s nothing left between us, Zach,” I said sharply. “You’ve shown me more than enough reasons to stay away. And I’ve made it painfully clear you should do the same.”
  His face twisted. “Is this because you’re pregnant with that bastard’s child?”
  “My child’s father is not a bastard,” I snapped, my voice rising, my patience thinning.
  He scoffed, bitter and unbothered.
  “He’s really a pussy,” Zachary sneered. “Letting someone take his child from him after it’s born?”
  My eyes widened. How the hell does he know about that?
  “Isabella,” he said, stepping closer, “you don’t need him. I can protect you. We could have babies that are ours—not for someone else.”
  He reached out and grabbed my hand.
  “Get your hands off her. Now.”
  Sean’s voice thundered across the space like a warning shot. I yanked my hand back from Zachary’s grip immediately.
  “I see you’ve got a death wish, showing your face here,” Sean growled, his tone laced with barely contained fury. He was trembling with rage, ready to snap.
  Zachary chuckled. “Looks like your Alpha finally gave you the balls to speak to me like that.”
  Sean wasn’t laughing. His eyes burned with rage, fists clenched at his sides.
  I stepped between them before things spiraled out of control. “Zachary, leave. Now. Or this will get ugly.” My voice was sharp with warning, edged with concern.
  He paused, then smirked. “Fine. I’ll go. Only because you asked me to.” He turned to Sean, eyes glinting with malice. “But your time will come.”
  And with that, he walked off.
  “Let’s go,” Sean said tightly, voice strained with the effort of holding himself back.
  We followed him silently to the car and drove off. The air was thick with tension.
  “I swear, I wanted to rip his head off right there,” Sean muttered, still fuming. “I don’t know why Asher let him off so easily after everything he did.”
  “You shouldn’t let him get under your skin,” I said gently. “He’s nobody.”
  But even as I said it, a chill crept down my spine.
  “Isabella,” Tessa said suddenly. “What did Zachary mean when he said your child would be taken away?”
  I froze.
  “Zara… she’s here for my child,” I blurted.
  “What?!” Tessa gasped. “How? Why?”
  “Asher made a promise to her,” I said, my voice hollow. “Things got complicated. He was trying to save everyone.”
  Tessa’s face tightened. “This is so messed up.”
  “You don’t have to worry,” Sean said firmly. “Asher will never let that happen. Not on his life.”
  “I hope you’re right,” Tessa whispered. “Because this… this can’t happen.”
  Silence filled the car after that. I didn’t want to think anymore. I just wanted the weight pressing on my chest to go away.
  We reached Asher’s house.
  “Sean, take Tessa home. I’ll be fine,” I said as I stepped out. I watched them drive away, then turned toward the house.
  I reached into my bag for the key—but the door was slightly ajar.
  My heart skipped. That wasn’t right.
  I pushed it open slowly and stepped inside.
  And everything I held slipped from my hands as my eyes widened in shock.
  “Bella!”
  Asher’s voice was frantic, full of fear.
  Zara had him pinned on the sofa.
  What the hell is happening?