Isla stepped out of Alfred’s study, her heart pounding so hard she could almost hear it echo in her ears.

She paused outside the door, taking a slow, shaky breath. Her hand brushed across her eyes, drying the faint trace of tears before anyone saw them. She forced herself to stand straight, smoothing the front of her honey- brown dress, fixing her hair, and steadying her trembling fingers.

She had to look composed. No one could know what she had just heard inside that room.

She knew too many things now-things she wished she never knew. Because knowing meant pretending. And pretending meant carrying a secret so dangerous it could destroy the Wyndham family if a single word slipped Find the newest release on FindN()vel.net

out.

Her chest tightened. She blinked away the moisture in her eyes and started walking down the long hallway toward the family living room.

Before she could cross the next passage, a strong hand gripped her arm and yanked her sideways.

“Wha-”

The next second, she was inside another room. The door slammed shut behind her and locked with a hard click.

Her pulse spiked. The sudden darkness made her dizzy, but her instincts kicked in fast. She turned sharply, her back pressed to the wall-her hand already reaching for her purse.

Anna Wyndham stood there. Her eyes gleamed like fire.

“You,” Anna spat, her voice sharp and trembling with rage, “you made me look like a fool in front of my family!”

Isla froze, stunned for a heartbeat before her brows knitted tightly. She could barely comprehend the madness in this woman’s face.

“Listen carefully, Isla,” Anna hissed, stepping closer. “You don’t know me. If you did, you wouldn’t dare to play smart with me. This is your last chance-walk away now, while I’m still being generous, before it’s too late—”

“To kidnap me?” Isla cut in sharply, her voice laced with quiet fury. “And take my child away… and give it to Delphine?”

Anna froze mid-step. Her expression faltered.

“Excuse me?” she snapped, but her tone was weaker now. She clearly wasn’t expecting that reply.

Isla’s lips curved faintly, though her heart was hammering inside her chest. She stepped closer, her blue eyes locked on Anna’s. “I only helped you finish your sentence,” she said coldly. “Wasn’t that what you were about to say?”

Anna took an involuntary step back. Isla’s words hit too precisely. Her mind raced. Was it a guess, or did this girl actually know something she shouldn’t?

Confusion flickered across Anna’s face. Her lips trembled as she struggled to mask her fear with anger. She almost looked like she might faint—but pride held her up.

Isla didn’t move away. She stepped right into her space again, her chin tilted slightly upward.

“Don’t you ever think,” Isla said, her tone sharp but calm, “that you have the power or the right to push me around, Anna.”

Her voice was low but firm, and the way she said Anna carried all the weight of disrespect that the older woman deserved. No more “Mother.” Not anymore. Not after everything she now knew.

Anna’s eyes narrowed, and then a bitter, humorless laugh escaped her throat. It was the kind of laugh that made the room colder.

“Oh, you’ve grown bold, haven’t you?” she sneered. Her voice dropped to a whisper, filled with venom.

Her face twisted, her eyes darkened, as though all the hate she’d ever hidden came rushing to the surface.

Isla felt her anger. A cold dread slithered up her spine. A part of her screamed to run. Another part urged her to stand her ground.

But she couldn’t afford to take risks. Not now. Not when she was pregnant.

Her gaze swept around the room. It was small, cramped, and windowless. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with old boxes and cleaning supplies. The faint scent of dust filled the air. That’s when she realized where she was- the storeroom.

Panic rippled through her chest. No one will ever think of coming in here. Anna chose the right spot.

“What’s the matter?” Anna mocked, taking a step closer. “Cat got your tongue?”

Isla’s heart thudded painfully. She stepped backward instinctively, her palms trembling. “What are you trying to do to me?” she demanded, her voice breaking slightly. “You know you can’t hurt me-you can’t kill me, right?”

Anna smirked. That slow, dangerous smirk that sent chills crawling over Isla’s skin.

“Who said anything about killing you?” she whispered darkly. “There are far more useful things I can do than that.”

She stepped forward again, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. “Like I said, if you truly knew who I was, you’d know better than to play games with me. I gave you a chance to walk away. But you chose to be smart instead.”

Isla’s mind screamed for help. Her fingers itched. Behind her back, one hand clutched her purse tightly, while the other slowly reached for her cell phone.

Anna’s gaze flicked downward. “Don’t even think about it,” she warned.

Isla froze.

Then Anna moved faster than she expected. Her hand shot forward-something gleamed between her fingers, but Isla couldn’t make out what it was.

“Stay away from me, you lunatic!” Isla snapped, her voice shaking. “I should’ve known you were sick!”

Anna’s lips twisted into a cruel grin. “Now that you know how sick I can be,” she hissed, her tone dripping venom, “say goodbye to that bastard you’re carrying. Because over my dead body will I allow you to give birth to that child.”

Her voice rose with madness, and Isla’s stomach turned cold. She stepped back again, her breath ragged, her body trembling as adrenaline surged through her.

“Help!” Isla suddenly screamed. Her voice cracked from panic. “Somebody help me! Anna wants to hurt my baby!”

Anna laughed, a low, chilling laugh that echoed through the walls. “Scream, Isla,” she taunted. “But no one will hear you. This room is soundproof. Just like Father’s study. But unlike his study, no one ever comes here.”

Terror clawed at Isla’s chest. Her hands trembled uncontrollably now.

Anna’s arm shot forward, aiming straight for Isla’s lower abdomen-the one place she knew would break her completely.

Isla gasped and stumbled backward, but Anna kept advancing, her face twisted with rage.

Anna Wyndham never backed down from anything. She always got what she wanted. And not even Alfred could stop her now.

In that moment, as the woman lunged again, Isla’s scream tore through the still air-so desperate, and filled with fear for the tiny life inside her.

Florence

Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.