Chapter 2: Bankruptcy

As Isabella stepped into the living room, she immediately felt the weight of the atmosphere. Rihanna was sitting on the large leather couch, legs crossed, arms folded tightly across her chest. Her eyes lifted the moment Isabella entered as she glared coldly at her.

“Just a simple errand,” Rihanna said slowly, her voice dripping with disgust, “and it took you the whole day?”

Her hands were still slightly tired from carrying heavy grocery bags from the store. But she knew arguing would only make things worse so, she said nothing.She simply lowered her eyes and stood still.

Rihanna scoffed loudly, clearly not satisfied with the silence. “Useless,” she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for Isabella to hear. Before the room could grow even more uncomfortable, the front door opened again. Both women turned as Isabella’s stepfather stepped in. Normally, Andrew walked into the house with confidence, even when he was tired. But now, his shoulders were slightly dropped. His tie was loose and face carried a tired expression. Rihanna noticed it immediately that something was definitely wrong. She sat up a little straighter on the couch, her eyes scanning him carefully.

“You are back early?” she asked, her tone changing from annoyance to confusion.

Andrew did not answer immediately. He closed the door slowly behind him, as if even that small action required effort. Then he walked further inside.

Isabella reacted quickly, forcing herself to be polite despite everything.

“Welcome back, Dad,” she said softly.

She stepped forward slightly, noticing the briefcase in his hand. Instinctively, she reached out to take it from him. But before her fingers could touch it, Andrew shifted his arm away.

“Go away,” he said flatly.Her hand slowly dropped back to her side. She nodded once, even though no one was looking at her properly, and quietly stepped back.

“Sorry,” she whispered, even though no apology was needed.

Andrew walked past her without another glance and sat heavily on the couch beside Rihanna.

Isabella felt that familiar sting in her heart again. She told herself she should be used to it by now. Years of living in this house had already taught her how little she mattered. But somehow, it still hurt every time.

Rihanna’s eyes followed Isabella sharply.

“Are you deaf?” she snapped. “Didn’t you hear him tell you to go away?”

Isabella quickly nodded. “Yes,” she said quietly. Isabella turned immediately and walked toward the kitchen without another word.

Back in the living room, the atmosphere had changed completely the moment Isabella left.

Rihanna leaned closer to Andrew, her earlier annoyance now replaced with concern. She touched his face gently, studying him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Why are you back so early?”

Andrew leaned back into the couch and closed his eyes for a moment and he exhaled slowly.

“We are about to go bankrupt,” he said. The words landed heavily in the room. For a second, she did not react, trying to process what exactly she heard.

“What?” she said slowly. “How?”

Andrew opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.

“I mean it,” he said. “We are going to lose everything. Everything. Even this house.”

Rihanna’s expression changed immediately.

“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “No, that can’t be true.”

Andrew let out a bitter laugh, but there was no humor in it. “I wish it wasn’t.”

Rihanna stood up from the couch. “No,” she repeated louder this time. “That will never happen. I am not going back to that life. I refuse.”

Andrew looked at her now. His eyes were tired, but also frustrated. “And what exactly do you want me to do?” he asked sharply. “Tell me, Rihanna. What do you want me to do?”

She stopped pacing for a moment, then started again immediately, like sitting still would make the truth real.

“There must be a way,” she muttered. “There is always a way.”

Andrew shook his head slowly.

“I tried everything,” he said. “Everything I thought would work. The loans, the investments… nothing is working anymore. The market crashed harder than expected, and the debt is too much now.”

After a long while of silence, Andrew suddenly sat up.

“Except one place I haven’t tried yet.” He said as he looked up at his wife.

Rihanna immediately sat down beside him with a curious and anxious gaze. “Which is?”

“Davis Crowne.”

~~~~~~~

Dinner was served not long after. The dining room was warm, filled with the smell of food and the soft sound of cutlery against plates. Rihanna and Emily were already seated, talking lightly as their laughter came easily. Andrew joined them a moment later. His earlier tired expression was gone. Now he looked relaxed and even cheerful. As soon as he sat down, he turned toward Emily with a smile, clearly interested in whatever she was saying. It was as if the stress from earlier had never existed.

Isabella stood quietly at the side of the room with the other maids. Her hands were folded in front of her. She kept her eyes lowered, waiting for instructions.

“Serve the soup,” Rihanna said without looking at her.Her voice was calm, but it still carried authority.

Isabella stepped forward immediately. “Yes, ma’am,” she replied. She moved carefully around the table, holding the soup pot with both hands. She poured into each bowl slowly and neatly, making sure not to spill anything. When she reached Andrew, he didn’t even look at her, fully focused on the conversation with Emily. Isabella paused for only a second, then quietly poured the soup into his bowl and moved on. She finished serving and stepped back to her place near the wall. A few minutes later, Rihanna set her spoon down gently and leaned back in her chair.

“You can all leave,” she said. The maids shifted slightly, ready to go.

Then Rihanna added, without even glancing around the table, “Except you.”

Isabella stopped as the other maids exchanged quick looks. No one spoke. One by one, they lowered their heads and quietly left the dining room, leaving Isabella behind.

“Yes, ma’am,” she said quietly. Rihanna finally looked at her. She picked up her spoon again and took a small taste of the soup then, her expression changed slightly.

“This is too salty,” she said flatly.

Isabella’s fingers curled slightly at her sides. It salty and you finished it? Isabella thought within her but she still apologized anyway.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I’ll fix it right away—”

“No need,” Rihanna interrupted. Then she turned her attention to Andrew and softened her voice immediately.

“Let the maids eat tonight,” she said with a small smile. “She won’t be joining them.”

Andrew nodded absentmindedly. “Alright,” he said, not really paying attention. His focus was still on Emily, who was speaking again. Isabella had already expected not to have dinner tonight and it didn’t bother her that much.