er apartment this time without any pretensions or small talk. She saw something else, something

"I'm not leaving until you hear me out." "Fo

ld already feel the tension rising. Sebastian, I've heard you. I've heard it all. The argument that pr

. I'm offering security. I am offering a secure life for the child we have created together. Curr

Everything he said made sense, in a wa

arry you. Nothing more," he said in a ton

eam, cry, and express her feelings, but she was unable

, "I've made my decision." Sebastian, I am un

moment, as if he were waiting for her to change her mind. Howeve

You don't know what you're rejecting." "This

ould work together to create something. But now what he o

r, I am aware that such an existence is not what I desire. Sebastian

turning away. "All right," he whispered. "I'll respect your decision if that's yo

her flat as the door clicked behind him, the conseque

ld no longer follow his instructions and live in his shadow. He had always been responsible f

"Isabella." His voice was piercing and autho

voice. "Papa, I can't wed him. I r

thing. "You're making a big error. You and your child would have had a futu

ith a newfound strength in her voice. "I'm goi

ade your decision." "But I'll lo

reath. She would no longer compromise. She r

heart. She had made some difficult decisions in the past few days. She had turned down Se

d at her baby's sonogram. She wasn't by herself. She had

rself, "I'm not my father's puppet." "I a

her. No one, not even Sebastian or her fa

r people's goals take precedence. She was taking charge now, though. She and her chil

her comfort. She started researching how to launch

as she went forward. What would she lose? Without the safety n

ere. With a feeling of resolve building in her ches

spoke to the woman she was becoming. "Real love is