Chapter 5

"Goodbye, Sophia," I told her.

She stood firmly in my path, refusing to let me pass.

My patience was wearing thin. My phone had just buzzed with a flight update—rescheduled, and I couldn't miss it this time.

All I wanted was to get away from these people. Why was she purposely provoking me?

"What do you want?" I demanded.

Sophia gave a sly smile. "I want to see you break down."

I let out a harsh laugh. "Not going to happen."

As I tried to move past her with my box, she threw a few dollar bills at my feet.

"For your taxi fare," she sneered.

Something in me snapped. Before I could stop myself, my hand flew out and struck her across the face.

"How dare you?" I seethed.

Sophia screamed loudly, just as Alexander and Liam rushed into the room.

"What did you do, Isabella?" Alexander shouted, seeing Sophia’s reddened cheek.

I glared back. "What did I do? You come running when she screams. Where were you when your son shot me? Where were you when I was bleeding out?"

"Evil woman!" Liam cried out. "She hurt Sophia!"

"It's not her fault, Liam," Sophia whimpered. "I came to ask her to stay. I offered her money, and she hit me."

"Stop the act, Sophia. Stop playing the victim!" I snapped.

"No, you stop, Isabella!" Alexander shot back. "I’ve been too easy on you. Apologize to Sophia, and I might take you back."

I stared at him, then burst into laughter. "Even if you were the last man alive, Alexander, I would never be with you."

"What is that supposed to mean? How dare you speak to me like that?" he roared.

"Eight years, and you never wanted a child. Then I find out on the same day your son shoots me that Sophia is pregnant with your baby," I stated coldly.

Alexander shot a quick, questioning look at Sophia, as if asking why she had told me.

"We can discuss that later. Just come home. We can work this out," he said, softening his tone.

"In your dreams," I retorted.

I turned and walked away, ignoring his demands for me to stop.

A short while later, I arrived at the airport just in time for my flight.

As I was checking in and about to switch off my phone, it rang.

It was Alexander. Reluctantly, I answered.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"I know you’re upset about Sophia’s pregnancy. Come home. Give me a child, and I’ll add your name to my will. You and your child will want for nothing," he said.

"Go to hell, Alexander," I replied coldly.

I hung up and blocked his number without another word.

The flight was long. I slept through most of it, relieved when the plane finally landed.

I stepped into the arrivals hall with my boxes and noticed a well-dressed man in a tuxedo holding a sign that read: Isabella Sterling.

I approached him, and he recognized me immediately.

"Miss Sterling, I’m Christopher. Your personal guard," he introduced himself.

"Thank you," I said with a nod.

He took my luggage, loaded it into the car, and opened the back door for me.

I sank into the plush leather seat of the SUV, relaxing as we drove off. Soon, we arrived at a grand mansion.

This was the home of my grandparents, Benjamin and Charlotte Sterling.

Their company, Sterling Enterprises, was the largest in New York, and I was their only heir.

Three years ago, they reached out and revealed they were my mother’s parents. My mother was supposed to marry someone else, but she eloped with my father for love and left her family behind.

Unbeknownst to me, when my mother was dying of cancer, she had contacted them and told them about me.

When they first asked me to take over, I was still deeply in love with Alexander and believed I could win his heart. I had refused their offer.

"Isabella! Welcome home," my grandmother’s voice called out.

She and my grandfather came outside and wrapped me in a warm embrace.

"We’re so happy you’re here," they said.

I smiled. "Thank you for having me."

My grandmother waved a hand. "Nonsense, Isabella. All of this is yours."

My grandfather nodded. "Yes, Isabella. You are now the heiress of Sterling Enterprises."

I smiled.

Because now it was time for payback.