Chapter 4 - The Child He Did Not Know About
Isabelle stayed at a private residence owned by Meredith’s family outside the city.
The doctor ordered rest after the stress of the gala.
She lay beneath a wool blanket near the fireplace, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.
The baby was still only twelve weeks old.
Too small to understand danger.
Too small to know that her father had already failed her once.
Meredith entered with tea.
“Nathaniel has requested a meeting.”
“No.”
“He says he did not know about the pregnancy.”
“He did not.”
“Will you tell him?”
Isabelle looked at the ultrasound photograph.
“Yes. But not because he deserves access to me.”
“Why, then?”
“Because my child deserves the truth.”
The meeting took place at Meredith’s office.
Nathaniel arrived without his usual confidence. His tie was crooked. His eyes were red from lack of sleep.
When Isabelle entered, he stood immediately.
Then he saw the bruise on her face.
His expression broke.
“I am sorry,” he whispered.
Isabelle sat across from him.
“You should be.”
“I do not know what happened to me.”
“You made choices.”
“I was angry.”
“You were cruel.”
Nathaniel looked down.
“I would never hurt the baby.”
“You hurt me while I was carrying the baby.”
The silence in the room deepened.
Then Isabelle slid the ultrasound photograph across the table.
Nathaniel stared at it.
His mouth opened.
“Isabelle…”
“I am twelve weeks pregnant.”
He reached for the image with shaking fingers.
“Our baby?”
“Yes.”
Tears filled his eyes.
“You were going to tell me.”
“After the gala.”
“I would have been happy.”
Isabelle looked at him.
“That is not enough anymore.”
Nathaniel pressed his hands together.
“I can change. I will end things with Vanessa. I will cooperate with the audit. I will do whatever you need.”
“You are offering change because you are afraid now.”
“I am afraid,” he said.
“For the company?”
Nathaniel looked at the ultrasound again.
“For losing both of you.”
Isabelle’s face softened for a moment.
Not with forgiveness.
May you like
With grief.
“You lost me before you knew there was a baby.”
