icy, calculating words continued to reverberate in her ears. Although it promised security, the marriage of conve

revious times together clashed with the harsh reality of who he had become. The baby was no longer the only focus.

a future that was not hers, and she could never be content in a marriage based on duty. She deserved to live

ne. Before typing the message that would alter everythin

wed you. I'm w

as grieving not only for Sebastian but also for the future she had dreamed of. However, so

o shape her own destiny and determine her top priorities. Her future hinged on th

text. He felt a surge of frustration as his fingers tightened around the phone. Th

s plans. Now, however, she had destroyed everything with a single messag

doing something wrong. He had provided her with a secure life, a

ternal rage and frustration were unbearable. The matter was now about his

." He was aware that he couldn't simply let her go. He wasn't prepared to let he

n everything he had worked for was on the line, he couldn't let her get aw

one blearily, her heart still heavy from the pr

but firm voice. "I know you're upset, but you and he aren't the only ones involved.

nded hollow, even though she knew her mother only had her best interests in mind. Survival no longer determined

im for the child." I refuse to live my life in accordance with

lla's mother said in a tremulous voice, "Do you want to become like me?" "Are you certain you

eeply. She would rather not let her mother down. However,

her mother, "I'm not my mother." "I refuse

ing through the phone as her mother fell silent. However, she

had the clarity she had been seeking. She had had enough

ng with love as she looked at her baby's sonogram. Her anchor, the one person who wo

t as she stood in the silence of her living room. She had lived under the shadow of others fo

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

e didn't have to base her decisions on what other people desired. She didn't

ssage asking if she would like to go get coffee. Isabella gave a small smile. When

ty that it was time to take charge. No one was going to con

t of her choices pressing against her chest, but she was also beginning to feel freer. She was beginning to r

n the street without a purpose. Despite the bustling city surro

ce. Charlotte was the one. The two women's gazes met

ke you've been through the ringer," her voice

lessen in her friend's company. She smiled slightly and said, "I'm g

much more than merely getting by. You underestimate your strength. You made a de

nowledged, "It's been more difficult than I anticipated." "I assumed that by now I would hav

ed to know everything. You've just made a giant decision. Now is the moment

rrently, she didn't need to know everything. The fact that she had taken charge o

o reverberate in her mind as

arlotte added in a kind and supportive tone. However, this

"I believe you're correct. I'm prepared to make a fresh s

the essence. This experience is not uniq

ulders. She felt less alone in the world than she had in a long ti

arrived at the café. Although she was unsure of what l

he could breathe for the