A Second Chance Family for the CEO

“Drew darling, breakfast is ready!” Isabella Thompson stepped back from the table and scanned the different dishes she had managed to prepare that morning. It was their third anniversary, and she had hoped to make it special. “Drew?” She called again when she didn't get a response, and she heard a door close. “Hurry, or it'll get cold.” “That's all you know how to do,” she heard from behind her as she picked up the serving spoon to start dishing. Isabella turned on her heels with a frown and stared quizzically at her mother-in-law. “Marissa, what's going on?” The older woman looked completely livid, and her usually calm eyes were like a storm. “Mum, what is wrong? You look…” Marissa Harrison scoffed and pointed a finger in Bella's confused face. “You're such a snake. How long has this been going on?” Isabella was dumbfounded. What was Marisa talking about? “Mum, I don't…” Marissa cut her off before she could finish. “Don't you dare play dumb! How long have

FIVE YEARS LATER “Mummy, can I have that giant pink candy? It looks so delicious,” “All done, sweetie,” Isabella cooed and kissed her son, Pete, on his forehead before turning to look at his sister, her daughter, Patience. “Let's get our bags first, baby, and then we can get it if you want.” Her phone rang as she rose up, and she slipped it out of her back pocket. She let out a long sigh when she saw who it was but answered anyway. “Why can't you ever be responsible?” was the first thing she heard when she placed the phone against her ear, and afterwards it was an onslaught of different insults. She bore all of them without saying a single word, as she was already used to it. “Get here in the next five minutes or forget about being my daughter.” She clicked her tongue as the dial tone rang in her ear and looked down at her daughter, who was already staring up at her, her cute face etched with worry. “How about we go get that pink candy now, dear?” The little girl

Isabelle’s POV After getting out of the car, I walked down to the apartment I was living in with my kids. I can’t believe he actually betrayed me like that. Andrew has been the only one in my life, and I have never thought of doing anything that would jeopardize our relationship, but this is how he paid me back, framing me like this just to have my sister. The whole thing was getting clearer to me—it was their plan from the beginning. They probably were madly in love, and the only way they can be together is if they kick me out. Realizing this, I decided to start my life all over and start working so I can earn enough to give my kids a better life. Only then can I get the revenge I want. While going through several companies, they kept rejecting me, and some even insulted me for being unable to keep my family, so I’m not stable. I tiredly turned off my system and lay on the bed. Just then my kids rushed into the room. “Mummy,” Pete called and laid beside me. And Patien

Isabella’s POV After the whole ruckus, I was still in shock. I couldn’t believe what just happened. Why did I need to go through such harsh treatment just because I was given such a position without an interview? It was time for lunch, and everyone had already gone to the office restaurant to get something to eat, but I couldn’t go because I felt like I wouldn't be welcomed there. They won’t treat me well there. “Are you not going for lunch?” Anna asked. I paused what I was doing when she asked because I was really hungry but too scared to go there. “I still have a lot of work to do. I won’t be able to go today; I have a lot of work to do.” I said to her, trying to tell her that I won’t be joining them. When I noticed she wasn’t going to give up, I had to bring out the whole file that I was yet to take care of. “I’ll be on my way.” She said to me and excused herself, I just don’t know why I can never have peace. It’s either there’s one forcing herself to be close to me or

Isabella’s POV A few days later. I got to work earlier than usual because I finally found a better way to make the kids go to school early; after they were gone from the house, I would leave for work. Everyone at work was surprised to see me in the office that early; finally, I would be able to escape today’s bullying. “Uhh, you came so early?” Anna asked, finding it completely unbelievable that I came early to work for the first time in a long time. I couldn’t help but smile while I was listening to her, and the shock on her face was so amusing that I couldn’t help but smile while she was talking. “I figured out there might be a way for me to escape the constant nagging from the upper-ups, and that would be coming early to work every day.” I explained to Anna, who couldn’t hide her shock. “Now let’s see what they would say; let’s see how they would try to find something against you.” Anna said to me with a smile on her face. She headed back to her desk, and Jacob walked