Isabelle released her grip from Penelope and turned to face Rachael who had tears in her eyes.
“What is it, Rachael?.. you’re acting strange,” Isabelle asked, her voice laced with confusion and her heart felt a sense of foreboding. “I don’t understand what’s going on”
“You will by the time I’m done explaining” Rachael replied, shifting our gaze to Liam. Mr. Callahan, there are some things that I haven’t told you about which are very crucial. To avoid any form of misunderstanding in the future, I think it’s best I tell you now”
“But that’s not enough reason for you to be this sad”Isabelle retorted with a worrisome expression on her face, her heart stirring up as she felt a strange sensation in her heart.
“It is, my friend. I hope you forgive me for keeping the truth from you for so long, I just didn’t want to hurt your feelings. But now, I have come to realize that keeping it for too long will only cause more pain if you get to find out from someone else later” Rachael muttered, her throat filled with lumps that she found hard to swallow.
She paused for a moment and inhaled sharply before saying, “There’s someone who is working with Damien behind the scenes. Someone you both know as a very close person.. she was the one behind Penelope’s staged accident and the same person who caused the first scandal… She’s also a close associate of Mr. Russo, even till now”
“A she?…” Liam arched an eyebrow in suspicion. He never knew there was another woman in his rival’s life apart from Rachael.
“Yes, it’s a woman. Isabelle, I’m sorry” she apologized again which was starting to get on Isabelle’s nerves.
“Sorry for what exactly, spill it out.. the suspense is killing me” she half yelled with anger flashing in her eyes.
“It’s your mother, Gina” Rachael dropped the bombshell that shook the whole ground on the rooftop with the people standing on it. Her heart stopped for a moment as she watched them digest the shocking news she had just delivered.
When she didn’t get a reply from them, she continued. “She joined hands with Damien immediately after she made you sign a marriage contract. They have been together from the very beginning”
“Wait” Isabelle who was already devastated by the news held on to Rachael for support, her knees shaking terribly. “So, you mean my mum is working against me… The scandal was even her idea?…. How could she?”
“Are you sure about what you’re saying?… The consequences could be dire if I find out it’s not true” Liam berated, his words dripping with threats.. “are you saying the same woman I made a deal with, betrayed me for my rival”
“Yes, Mr. Callahan… I have pictures of them together on my phone, if you want to see it” Rachael replied in her defense, her heart gradually loosened up as she let out the truth step by step. “Damien made a huge promise to her, a promise that could quench her insatiable greed and selfishness”
Isabelle was heartbroken. She knew her mother never cared about her, but not to the extent of attempting to ruin her future. She couldn’t speak and just clung to Rachael, crying her eyes out. She wasn’t angry with her friend since she was only doing it to protect her feelings.
“So, if Gina is working for Damien, that means we have two people to deal with” Liam stated with ruthlessness in his voice. He had suspected Gina ever since he went to get the house and found some things suspicious about her reaction and the sounds he heard.
He had loaned her a lot of money in exchange for her daughter. She sold the one person that should be cherished and called precious, but she still wasn’t satisfied and had to join hands with his enemies.
“She’s going down with him then” Liam added with an ounce of pity for Isabelle who was writhing in pain. He walked up to her and said, “I hope you’ll be able to come to the fact that that woman who birthed you is not your mother… If she was, she wouldn’t have sold you off in the first place…. If you keep whining like a child, you won’t be able to make the right choice.. she’s our enemy’s subordinate and no one will stop me from locking her up in jail”
“Liam, that’s too much”William who had been watching the scene unfold cautioned his best friend. “She’s not that strong”
“She’s not that weak either.. she had to accept the truth and live with it” Liam retorted with a deadpanned look on his face. “She even tried to kill someone for trying to change her ways. Only God knows how many people’s lives she has destroyed, all in the name of wealth… You’re not weak, Isabelle… I won’t tolerate any show of weakness from you”
Isabelle whose sobbing had ceased since Liam started talking, freed herself from Rachael’s embrace and turned to face Liam with conviction in her gaze, her soul fueled with renewed strength.
She inhaled sharply and declared, “I’ve lost every tiny bit of love or care for her. I should have known she was a monster, to begin with. She made me work all my life just to support her health, and what did she give in return?.. she tried to ruin my life… I won’t forgive her and I won’t go against any decisions you make.. I’m fully ready to support you anytime you need me to”
Liam’s gaze softened as he pulled her in for a hug. He knew how painful it was for someone to get betrayed by the person he or she cherishes the most, especially a mother who is supposed to care for and love you during your down times.
“It’s okay, my love.. we’ll be fine without them”Liam consoled her and turned to face Rachael saying, “We have no grudge against you whatsoever. As long as you’re with us, we won’t take it against you”
“He’s right” Isabelle chipped in. “I sincerely do not have anything against you. You were there for me when I had no one to lean on, how can I hate you for trying to protect my feelings?”