I opened my eyes to a bright, blinding light, forcing me to squint them. I slowly looked around, my head still feeling fuzzy, but it didn’t take long for me to realize where I was. The sterile environment, the white walls, and the nurses moving around in the hallway.

My eyes landed on Isaac, who was sitting near my bed. He looked serious as he waited for me to come to my senses. I blinked a few times before finally opening my mouth.

“Why am I here?”

“You passed out on me, princess,” Isaac said, his voice lacking its usual mocking tone. “You’re really something else. Refusing my help when you were close to fainting. I don’t know if you’re prideful or thoughtless.”

“You can leave. I can manage–”

“Did you know you were pregnant?” he suddenly asked.

My eyes widened slightly as my mind struggled to process what he just said. I’m pregnant? It wouldn’t be impossible, but what kind of sick joke… I huffed a laugh in disbelief. Really? After everything I went through? The world would just hand me the same shitty cards my mother was dealt with?

I ran my fingers through my hair as I stared into space. Being alone would’ve been better than dragging a child into this mess. I didn’t know who else to blame but myself.

“I’m guessing you didn’t,” Isaac said. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Not even your father.”

“Like I’d believe you?” I snapped as I wiped my palm across my face. “I need time to think… Please, just leave me alone.”

It was a miracle when Isaac nodded and left the room, closing the door. I sat down and hunched forward, my head between my hands. The sheets quickly got soaked by my tears as I gave myself this moment of vulnerability.

I fought the urge to call Callum, to ask him if this pregnancy changes things between us. I even thought of using the child as an excuse to forgive him… but I knew that was stupid. My heart just craved his presence in moments like this. But the love I still had for him would never erase the truth. He didn’t want me anymore; he might never have. Perhaps my mind simply tricked me because I’d been unconsciously desperate for love and company.

The grief and loneliness were eating me alive, scaring me with questions I couldn’t find answers for. What should I do? When would it stop hurting?

A knock on the door pulled me out of my spiral. I straightened up and sluggishly wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. My heavy-lidded eyes landed on Isaac, who cautiously opened the door.

“Your father…” He paused as if finding the right words. “He’s gone.”

I paused for a bit, waiting to feel anything. But there was nothing to feel, nothing to say, so I gave him a nod and looked away.

“He still left everything to you,” Isaac added when he realized I wasn’t going to give him anything but that nod.

My head instantly snapped back to him. There was no way Anthony would leave everything to me. The empire that he built from the foundation his parents left behind was massive. He was one of the very few people on this planet who was untouchable. No one in their right mind would hand it over to someone they barely knew. Even if I were his child.

“It’s written in his will. Everything is being transferred to your name at this moment, Yvonne,” Isaac said, as if he could read my mind and see the gears turning in my head. “What a fucking mess,” he chuckled, almost sounding like he couldn’t believe it too.

“Only someone stupid would hand their company to someone who has no idea how it works.”

“We can agree on that one, Princess. He must have his reasons, a good fucking reason. But I’m still trying to figure that one out myself,” he said as his eyes examined me like he really was trying to find something ‘special’ about me.

“Or he’s gone out of his mind. I don’t want to be a part of any of this. I know what his family is like,” I said. I don’t want my child to be part of their world. Their cruelty and greed would tear us apart.

“That’s something you leave to me,” Isaac said as he walked closer. “I know you don’t want to be caught in their world again, but this time, you won’t be helpless, Yvonne.”

Something inside me clicked, like a fog clearing. If what Isaac had been telling was true, then nothing would stop me from solving my mother’s case… and this child in my womb would never have to feel small in front of anyone.

“It’s still hard to believe…” I said as I stared at my hands. “And I still can’t find it in my heart to forgive him for what he did to my mother.”

“That doesn’t matter now. Everything’s yours now, nothing can change that.” Isaac has been acting differently since I woke up in this room. His usual cockiness was replaced with seriousness, but it wasn’t completely unkind. “Get some rest. We’ll talk again when you’re feeling better.”

This change… or rather, this side of him was making me think twice about how I perceived him. He was still annoying, out of touch, and arrogant, but he’d been offering his help since all this mess started.

“Isaac…” I called out. “I-I think I need some fresh air…”

“Is the garden good?” He asked, and I nodded. The side of his lips slightly tugged upward before he said, “Let me walk you there.”

“Thanks,” I murmured.

He waited for me to get out of bed before opening the door. We were about to step out when I saw Callum in the hallway.

Callum’s eyes immediately found me before they settled on Isaac, who was standing right behind me. There was a slight furrow in Callum’s brows as he stared at the man I was with.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Callum retorted as he looked back at me. “We’re here for a check-up.”

I didn’t even notice the girl behind him if he hadn’t said the word ‘we’. My chest suddenly felt heavy as I stared at her. Callum wouldn’t bother with anyone if they weren’t important to him… so she must be the girl he was at the hotel with.

“Is he your new source of income?” Callum asked, his voice as cold as the gaze he was giving me.