Tracy had called the cops on her in her own house.

“I am not a thief. This isn't what it seems like,” she tried protesting as the policemen drew nearer and cuffed her hands behind her back.

But the policemen were not ready to listen to her.

How does she explain trying to jump the fence of her house around 1:00 am in the middle of the night?

She struggled as they dragged her like a thief towards their car. “I am not a thief. How can I be a thief in my own house? My husband is inside, you can call him to ask him.”

No one was listening to her. They seemed to be listening to Tracy, who kept calling her a thief, claiming she was trying to harm her.

“That lady over there is the thief. She is trying to steal everything from me.”

The police ignored her and dragged her into the bus. She could see Tracy smile as the police shot her up and then drove off.

They drove her to the station and locked her in a cell. She sat in a corner, thinking about how her husband had betrayed her despite giving her everything.

By dawn, she was looking all tired and miserable in one of the police cells. She had exhausted her energy from begging the police to let her go, but they claimed they needed proof that she indeed lived in the house, and she couldn't provide any. 

The only option she had was to wait till the next morning when the workers resume so they can identify her. Where did they all go, anyway, leaving their duty posts? Tracy definitely sent them away for the night because of her plan.

As she waited patiently for morning to reach, her stomach sang. She sat down and thought about how life had dealt with her in the last twenty-four hours. She had gone from being the CEO’s wife to ending up in the police cell.

When morning came, the police eventually confirmed her status as the wife of the CEO and then let her out of the cell. She checked the time, and it was 9:00 am, and her husband was still not there to pick her up.

She borrowed a cell phone to call him. The phone rang for some time, but no one picked up. She tried it again, and eventually it was picked.

“Thank God.” Her mind was at rest. The thought that the night’s event will be buried. It was a new day, and they could both forget about everything that had happened. He just needed to come pick her up at the station and take her home.

“Hi” 

Her hope became shattered when she heard a feminine voice from the other end of the call. She recognised it as Tracy’s.

“I have just been released from the station now, and I would be glad if…” she heard the phone cut off before she could conclude her statement.

She tried calling again, but her call ended.

She wondered what kind of sins she must have committed for her husband to ignore her calls, allowing Tracy to respond to her.

She thought of going elsewhere, but couldn't figure out any. She thought about her baby and the need to protect her regardless of whatever.

I have to survive no matter what it takes.

But how was she going to do that without a dime on her? 

An idea came to her head. She will leave the city and start all over. But first, there is something she has to obtain.

***

Outside the billionaire mansion, Isabella stood in one corner. It was almost 10:00 am. The workers were back to work, and she waited until she got an opportunity to speak to one of her househelp, Nikky, who sneaked her into the building.

She walked stealthily into her house and observed that her husband was still in bed with Tracy. It must have been a long night. That is the least of her problems at the moment. Her husband had made it clear that he didn’t want her again. He even abandoned her in the cell.

She went into her husband’s study and picked up a document. She checked under the locker and found some cash too. She carefully placed the document and the money into a briefcase she found in one corner. 

As soon as she was done, it was time to go out and close the door, moving as slowly as she could so she wouldn’t make any sound that would wake Tracy or her husband. 

Her leg mistakenly hit the artwork on the table, and that fell on the ground, making a loud noise that left Tracy running into the sitting room.

Isabella hid behind one of the couches as she spotted Tracy coming out of the bedroom. Tracy looked around the room but found no one. She was about to check the corners when Nikky told her that the noise came from the Kitchen. 

“I am sorry, ma’am. The cooking pot fell from where I left it to the floor. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“You old fool. Can’t you do your job properly?” 

“I am really sorry.”

“You are so incompetent. I will make sure to replace you soon when Alex marries me,” she said as she walked away.

Isabella felt at ease knowing that she had walked away. But the thought of Alex marrying Tracy made her uneasy at the same time.

As soon as Tracy was out of sight, Nikky helped Isabella, and she walked out of the building with the briefcase.

She signalled for a Taxi driver to stop. “Take me out of here, please.”

“To where”

“I don’t know, just somewhere far away from here.”

As the taxi drove off, she stared at the building until it slowly disappeared from her sight. The place she has gotten used to as her home now feels strange to her. The last twenty-four hours replayed in her head as she felt a deep pain in her heart.

The only thing that matters to her now is raising her child, and she will do everything it takes to make that happen.

Isabella walked out of the plane cautiously, shoulders held high. Her glinting bag and fashionable outfit made people stop and look. Travellers and passersby couldn't help but wonder quietly who this beautiful woman, strutting around so confidently like a boss, might be

As she looked around the city, memories of pain and hatred from five years ago filled her mind. She never thought she would ever return to New York City.

But here she was.

She was suddenly brought back to reality by the sudden, tender voice of her son.

"Mummy, can I go with you to your meeting so that we can go grab ice cream later?"

She hesitated before smiling softly. "Sure, Ethan, as long as you promise to be a good boy."

They headed towards a limousine parked across and zoomed off to Madison Avenue.

As soon as she arrived, she was greeted by a familiar atmosphere which took her down memory lane.

She remembered how she had had to run away for her life to protect herself from her billionaire husband.

Despite giving her heart to the man she loved, she ended up being betrayed.

"Welcome back, ma'am. It's good to have you here," she heard a familiar voice say.

"Oh, Mr Roosevelt. I am glad to be here." She replied, extending her hands to the man as though they had known each other for a long time.

"This way, please." Mr Roosevelt quickly ushered her into the meeting room where others were waiting.

As soon as the door to the meeting room flung open, the CEO was taken by surprise to see the beautiful, bold lady walk into the hall.

What struck him more was her confidence. There was something different about the way she looked at him.

Something isn't right, he thought.

Isabella walked right in with eyes staring at her. She's been the person they've all been waiting to see, and now she's here.

As she took her seat opposite the CEO, he couldn't help but stare at her throughout the meeting, wondering what could have happened to the shy, timid, and soft Isabella. The Isabella he knew wouldn't dare look him in the eyes when he spoke.

As the meeting ended, and everyone left the room one after the other, Alexander approached Isabella, still surprised to see another version of her.

"You left without saying goodbye." His tone sounded big. Isabella recognised the tone. It was the same one he used when he wanted her to feel intimidated.

Before he could say another word, a tiny voice echoed in the room. "Mummy, mummy, let's go get ice cream."

A little boy rushed in and clung to Isabella's hand. Alexander's eyes froze on the child. The boy had his sharp jaw, his dark hair, and even his stormy grey eyes.

It was like looking into a mirror of his own childhood.

The air grew heavy. Alexander's powerful voice cut through the silence.

"Who is that child, Isabella?"

Her hand trembled as she pulled the boy closer.

"He's my son," she said, her voice firm but nervous.

Alexander's eyes narrowed, suspicion and shock battling in his chest. He had been betrayed once before, but this... this was different.

The boy looked exactly like him.

Isabella quickly pulled back with his son as they made their way out of the building.

Before Alexander could get over the shock, Isabella was gone.

Alexander summoned Roosevelt into his office, demanding an explanation for everything that had just played out.

"Why is Isabella our new investor? Why am I just getting to know about this?" Impatient to get an answer. He stood up, slamming his hand on the desk and donning a stern look.

The last time Roosevelt had seen his employer looking this angry was the day Isabella left home five years ago.

"I demand an answer now," his strong voice echoed in the room

"She approached me as an investor willing to sponsor our new project, and I couldn't say no, considering that Mr Victor decided to pull out of the deal last minute."

He sank into the chair. "Talking of Mr Victor, any idea why he is pulling out so suddenly?"

"I have no idea. But I guess he is just being an investor after all.

Unsatisfied with the answer, he decided to let the issue go to resume talk about Issabella. "As for Isabella, I want to know where she stays, what she eats, who she meets, and every single detail about her.

"Okay, boss. I will get to it." He said, shutting the door behind him.

The next morning, he found himself knocking on Isabella's apartment.

The door was flung open by the boy he saw at the office. As he stood across, looking at the boy more closely. He could sense the resemblance, and several questions began to flood his mind.

"Ethan, honey, who do we have there?" He heard Isabella's voice from across the room.

Before the boy could say a word, Alexander barged into the house, standing face to face with Isabella.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was firm as she got a hold of Ethan, as if trying to shield him from Alexander. "How did you know where I stay?"

"I am still your husband, you know. And that means I have every right...."

"Just hold it there. She quickly cut him, her voice sounding strong. "What makes you think you can just walk up to my house and talk to me the way you like? You have no right over me or my child. I hope that sinks into your skull."

"If you think I am still that weak and soft woman you used to know, then you are mistaken."

"Really?"

"Oh yes. And for your information, I would like to keep the relationship between us professional. Let's only talk business when we are at the office."

Silence took over for a while before Alexander finally spoke. "The child," he said, pointing at Ethan. "Is he mine?"

Ignoring the question, Isabella quickly ushered him out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Alexander went home that day and thought about the occurrence. That night, he couldn't sleep and kept turning on the bed as he tried to make sense of everything.

The Issabella he knew then is different from the one he saw today. There is definitely something different about her. She seemed more courageous, outspoken, and bold.

Different thoughts and questions occupied his mind. What could have happened in five years? Where did she get enough money to invest in his new project? Who could be the boy's father?

On getting to work the following day, Alexander quickly summoned Roosevelt to his office, demanding answers to all of his unanswered questions.

"Here, sir, this is what I have found so far." Roosevelt handed a file to him. He continued as Alexander tried to check the content of the file. "From what I know so far, she went straight to her mother's town, where she spent five years before coming back to New York."

"And what has she been up to?" he asked, eager to learn about Isabella's recent moves.

"Well, I learnt she started her own company and has been successfully running it ever since. She actually came to New York for expansion.

While Alexander carefully studied the document presented to him as he listened to his personal assistant, he couldn't shake off the thought that Ethan could be his son.

"Did she ever remarry?" he asked, trying to satisfy his curiosity.

"No, she didn't. I think she was already pregnant before leaving New York."

That means Ethan could be mine. He let out a sigh of relief, hoping to be right about this.

Alexander's phone rang, and the secretary informed him of the presence of Isabella.

"Send her in," he raised his hands to signal for his assistant to go.

As Isabella entered his office, he tried to maintain calm.

"Good morning, Mr Alexander," she spoke with confidence written all over her as she grabbed a seat. "I hope you have been able to go through our proposal."

"Oh, yes. So I think we need to discuss a few changes that I think would affect both parties. If you don't mind."

"That's why I am here. Let's have it."

"So, I have highlighted a few changes I think would work well for the new project, and I think this would be in everyone's favour. I will have my PA send it to your email.

Alexander stood up from his seat, gently approaching Isabella. "You look different, though; what changed?"

"Does it surprise you that I can also be successful?" she said, trying not to show too much emotion.

"Was that why you left suddenly with no explanation?"

"What kind of explanation can I possibly expect from a selfish man who deemed it necessary to cheat on me despite the fact that I gave my life for him?"

At this point, it became clear to Alexander why his wife had left five years ago without saying goodbye.

"You know what happened with Tracy?" he said in a soft tone.

Tracy was his ex-fiancée who drugged him and made his wife leave the house. The flash of the scene occurred to him as he pictured Isabella entering the house and leaving angrily after she saw both of them lying together on the bed.

Now that he thinks about it, he can actually remember the sound of the door opening, but he was too high to picture the face he saw.

"I gave you everything; I gave you my life. I was an obedient wife; I did everything you wanted, and what did I get in return? Betrayal. That's why you gave me."

Now that he understood why he lost his wife, a sense of regret rushed through him, replacing the earlier hatred he had been nursing for the woman who left him suddenly without giving reasons.

For the first time, Isabella thought she saw him break down, showing his soft side.

"I am sorry, Bella. Tracy drugged me and set me up."

Isabella felt her heart melt for the man whom she thought she would hate forever. But here she was, her heart skipping for Alexander.

She quickly got back to her senses again, acting tough and strong.

As Alexander pulls closer, she finds herself struggling to keep up with the tough act; a sense of weakness engulfs her. Alexander pressed his lips on hers.

She tried to stop him but didn't find the words. "Stop it, I am here for business," she managed to say.

But Alexander continued dipping his tongue in between her lips. She felt weak and eventually gave in to him. He grabbed her waist drawing her closer as both of them became drawn into each other. She felt her breast on his body as her body reacts to gentle touches and she started giving him kissing his passionately.

Highly disappointed in herself, Isabella couldn't shake off the fact that she had locked lips with Alexander, who is supposed to be her enemy.

I can't let this happen to me, never. I can't allow myself to be treated like trash for the second time. She thought to herself as she wandered around the room.

She beats herself for being weak in the presence of Alexander after five years of staying away from him. By now, she thought she had gotten over him, but it appears there was still something left for him somewhere in her heart. She hated the fact.

She promised herself she would not be weak for any man again because it wouldn't end well. She only had to work hard so that she could give her son a proper life without having to depend on any man who would take advantage of her.

Besides, she wasn't ready to let the controlling man father her child. If Alexander could be mean to her, he would do the same for her son, and she wasn't ready to allow her son to go through the neglect and betrayal she went through. She would rather raise her son as a single mother.

Ethan is better off without a father. She thought.

Meanwhile, Alexander continued his investigation into Isabella's five-year missing period. He had just discovered something significant. Isabella's business structure is the same as that contained in a business blueprint he had designed five years ago.

It occurred to her that Isabella actually stole his blueprint to start her own business. He had searched for the blueprint but eventually had to let go when he couldn't find it, thinking that he had misplaced it somewhere.