Chapter 5 Chapter Five

• Isabella sat in the dimly lit hospital room, her fingers trembling as she traced the cold metal of her IV stand. The word pregnant echoed in her mind, wrapping around her like a noose. She had expected a fight, but not like this.
• She was carrying a child.
• And she had no idea who the father was.
• Her thoughts were a whirlwind of possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. But she knew one thing for sure—if this got out, it would be her ruin. Max had barely accepted her back into his life, and now this? Would he believe her? Or would he assume the worst?
• A soft knock at the door pulled her from her spiraling thoughts. She looked up to see Alicia standing there, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.
• “I brought you some fresh clothes,” Alicia said, setting a bag on the chair beside the bed. “How are you feeling?”
• “Like my world is about to collapse.” Isabella’s voice was barely above a whisper.
• Alicia frowned, stepping closer. “What’s wrong?”
• Isabella hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, she whispered, “I’m pregnant.”
• Alicia’s eyes widened. “Oh my God.”
• “I don’t know if it’s Max’s or…” Isabella trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
• Alicia took a deep breath, composing herself. “Isa, you need to be careful. If Max finds out and assumes the worst—”
• “He’ll hate me.” Isabella closed her eyes, dread washing over her like a tidal wave.
• Alicia hesitated before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Have you considered getting a paternity test before saying anything?”
• Isabella swallowed hard. “I can’t. Not yet. It’s too soon.”
• Alicia’s lips pressed together, concern etched into her face. “Then you have to be careful. Max is already suspicious of everything lately. If he finds out the wrong way—”
• Before she could finish, the door swung open, and Max stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
• Isabella’s heart slammed against her ribs.
• “What’s going on?” His voice was calm, but she knew him well enough to sense the storm brewing beneath the surface.
• Alicia shot Isabella a quick look before grabbing her bag. “I’ll give you two some privacy.” She squeezed Isabella’s hand before slipping out of the room.
• Max’s gaze followed her before returning to Isabella. “Why do I get the feeling you’re hiding something from me?”
• Isabella swallowed. “Max, I—”
• Her phone vibrated on the bedside table, cutting her off.
• She reached for it, but Max was faster. He snatched it up and glanced at the screen. His entire body tensed.
• It was another message from the unknown number.
• Tick tock, Isabella. Your secret won’t stay buried forever.
• Max’s eyes snapped to hers. “What secret?” His voice was dangerously quiet.
• Isabella’s throat went dry.
• Before she could form a response, Max threw the phone onto the bed and ran a hand through his hair. “First, those pictures. Now this. Who the hell is after you, Isabella?”
• She knew the truth was a ticking bomb. One wrong move, and everything would explode.
• “I don’t know,” she said carefully.
• Max’s jaw clenched. “I don’t believe you.”
• Silence stretched between them. The air felt thick, suffocating.
• Finally, he exhaled sharply. “We’ll talk about this later. For now, I need you to stay here until we figure out who’s behind this.”
• Before she could argue, he turned and walked out, leaving her alone with the weight of her secrets.
• Meanwhile – The Old House
• Adam sat on the cold floor of the abandoned house, his wrists still tied behind his back. His face was swollen from Alex’s repeated punches, but his smirk remained intact.
• Alex paced in front of him, his patience wearing thin. “Who sent those pictures to Isabella?”
• Adam chuckled. “You think I’d tell you?”
• Alex crouched, gripping Adam’s chin roughly. “You’re already bleeding. I can make it worse.”
• Adam licked the blood off his lip, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Go ahead. Kill me. But that won’t stop what’s coming.”
• Alex narrowed his eyes. “What the hell are you talking about?”
• Adam leaned forward slightly, his grin widening. “You think I’m the only one? You’re so damn blind, Alex. You and Max both. The real threat isn’t me.”
• Alex’s fingers twitched against his gun holster. “Who else is involved?”
• Adam laughed. “Figure it out yourself.”
• Alex grabbed the gun and pressed it against Adam’s temple.
• For the first time, Adam’s expression faltered.
• “Talk.” Alex’s voice was lethal.
• Adam swallowed. “You’re not gonna kill me. Max needs answers, and I’m the only one who can give them.”
• Alex clenched his jaw. As much as he wanted to pull the trigger, he knew Adam was right.
• But someone else was out there. Someone pulling the strings.
• And they weren’t done yet.
• The Hospital – Hours Later
• Isabella stared at the ceiling, exhaustion weighing down on her. The moment Max left, she had tried to rest, but sleep never came.
• Her phone buzzed again. Another message.
• You thought you could bury the past? Watch it burn, Isabella.
• A shiver ran down her spine.
• Enough was enough.
• She wasn’t going to let this mystery person control her life. She had spent too much time running.
• She grabbed her phone and dialed a number.
• A groggy voice answered. “Isa? It’s late.”
• “Dad,” she whispered, her voice steady but cold. “I need a favor.”
• Her father sighed. “What kind of favor?”
• “I need you to destroy someone.”
• There was silence on the other end. Then, her father chuckled darkly. “Now you sound like a Fontaine.”
• Isabella’s grip tightened on the phone. “I’m done being weak.”
• She hung up, her heart pounding.
• Whoever was behind this had just made the biggest mistake of their life.
• Because now, Isabella was fighting back.
• A figure stood outside the hospital, watching through the glass doors as Isabella ended the call. The glow of a cigarette flared in the darkness before being flicked onto the pavement.
• “She finally called her father,” a low voice murmured.
• Another shadow shifted beside him. “She had no choice. We pushed her hard enough.”
• A smirk curled on the first man’s lips. “Now, we sit back and watch her do the dirty work for us.”
• His companion exhaled. “What about Alex?”
• A chuckle. “He’s distracted. Too busy playing detective.”
• They turned, disappearing into the night.