The Return

Isabella’s POV

Seven Years Ago (Claire)

The restroom floor was too cold for a twenty-one year old me who still wanted to live.

I remember sitting there, my back against the wall, trying to breathe through the tightness in my chest. My hands were shaking so badly that I had to press them against my thighs just to feel like I still had control.

But I didn’t. I mean, I once did but not anymore.

The pills were already in my system, burning down my throat.

My heartbeat felt slow… too slow.

My vision kept fading in and out, like someone was controlling a switch.

When I finally forced myself to look in the mirror, I almost looked away again.

I didn’t recognize that girl.

Puffy eyes. Dry lips. Messy hair. And a face that didn’t look like it could carry any more pain and heartbreak.

Everything inside me felt numb. Empty. And then heavy again.

My fingers slipped from the sink. I remember that clearly.

One moment I was standing… Next, the floor came up fast.

Someone shouted my name, at least I think they did… but the sound was far away. Soft. Like a memory trying to reach me.

And just like that… Everything went dark.

Dark, but peaceful.

For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel anything. Not hurt. Not fear.

Not even love like I had always wanted… especially from him.

Nothing at all.

Just serenity. And everything else disappeared.

********

Seven Years Later (Isabella)

Rochester didn’t look the same.

Or maybe I didn’t and that was because I had become that which the matron wanted me to be. For me. For the people who I held close to my heart.

The car stopped in front of a tall glass building, and for a second, I just sat there staring at it. My heart wasn’t racing. It wasn’t calm either. It was somewhere in between… like it didn’t know how to feel about coming back to a place that buried me alive.

I stepped out of the car, holding Mira’s small hand.

“Mommy, is this it?” she asked, her voice tiny but excited.

I forced a smile. “Yes, baby. This is it.”

She looked up at the building again, eyes wide.

“It’s so tall.”

“It has to be. We worked very hard for it.”

She nodded, smiling, and squeezed my hand gently. That little squeeze did something to my chest. She always had that effect on me.

I took a deep breath as we walked to the entrance of the lobby of Vanguard Cypher Group, my company. Our company, really.

People greeted me softly, respectfully. I nodded back at them, keeping my face calm. I didn’t want anyone to see how unsteady I felt on the inside.

Monroe appeared from the elevator, smiling the way fathers do in movies.

“Welcome back, ma’am,” he said. He had been the backbone of this company while I was away. My trusted staff, I would say. He liked to give fatherly advice. He was twenty-eight years older than me, yet he always spoke to me with so much respect that I sometimes felt I did not deserve it.

“Thank you, Monroe.” I genuinely meant it.

He looked at Mira and smiled, touching her hair. “You are all grown now”

She giggled shyly and hid behind my leg.

I looked around once more. The lobby was already filled with reporters, investors, and partners waiting for me. Mira walked beside me, her little steps almost matching mine. She liked the attention. I could tell from the way she kept touching her hair.

Entering the hall, the decoration was black and white like I wanted it. My favourite combo colors. It all appeared clean, organised and gave off the feeling of calmness. Just the way I liked things now.

But beneath all that calmness, I could still feel the city tugging at old wounds I thought I had buried.

Still… I was back.

Not as Claire Hart.

But as Isabella Schneider.

That name had saved, protected and rebuilt me..

“Mommy, can I sit with you during the meeting?” Mira asked.

“Yes, sweetheart. Stay close.”

We walked to the table Monroe had prepared for us. Camera flashes followed us, people murmured, and Monroe spoke on stage, introducing me.

“Today, we welcome the founder and CEO of this great company, Isabella Schneider.”

My heart jumped a bit. But it wasn’t from fear of facing the calibre of high profile people in the hall, rather it was from setting myself up for invited and uninvited attention. But I understood the whole thing. I had to.

If I were to take everything they took from me seven years ago, I needed this. I needed to be in their faces. And I would do just that… boldly and daring.

I wore a smile immediately, leaving Mira in the care of Monroe who had already left the stage and headed to the table where I was sitting with my daughter.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

The cameras followed me up to the stage. I took a deep breath and glanced my eyes around, letting them fall on that familiar face from seven years ago.

She was here. I didn’t expect her to be but she was.

I took the mic. “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here. At Vanguard Cypher Group, our goal has always been to make technology safer and easier to trust. Over the years, we’ve watched how fast hackers have grown and how much people lose in just a few seconds. So we decided to build something that fights back. Today, we’re launching TraceGuard. It tracks hackers in real time, studies their digital steps, and shows where an attack starts before real damage is done. It protects businesses, creators, and everyday people who just want to feel safe online. This project took a strong team, long nights, and a lot of determination. I’m grateful to everyone who made it possible. This is only the beginning. Thank you for believing in us and for supporting what we are building.”

The moment I stepped back from the microphone, the hall filled with applause. I smiled gently and walked off the stage. Mira ran up to me for a small hug before Monroe carried her back so I could greet the guests. I shook hands, exchanged short conversations, and nodded politely as people congratulated me.

I was about to move to the next group when I caught her staring at me.

Her eyes lingered a little too long, and something about her face tugged at an old memory. She started walking toward me with a small smile like she recalled who I was. I didn’t mind. I wasn’t trying to avoid anyone here. At least not her.

But before she reached me, something pulled my attention sharply to the side.

“Mommy!” Mira’s tiny voice sounded from afar.

Her wristband had fallen on the floor. A man was already crouched beside her, picking it up. His hand brushed off the dust gently, and he said something that made her giggle.

I knew that body stature before my brain even processed his face.

Then he stood up.

My heart dropped.

Aiden.

My body reacted before my mind did. My breath caught, and I froze for a second. Mira held his hand confidently as they both started walking in my direction.

No, no, not now.

I stepped back quickly and slipped behind a tall decorative structure near the stage curtains. Monroe noticed instantly. I signaled him with my eyes, a silent plea.

He understood.

He moved across the hall smoothly and intercepted them before they reached me. He picked Mira up gently and said something to Aiden that made him glance around, confused.

I stayed hidden, my hand pressed lightly against my chest.

I wasn’t scared. I was just… not ready.

Not today. And definitely not in a room full of cameras.

Monroe turned and started walking toward me with Mira. I still hid quietly, keeping myself out of Aiden’s line of sight.

Seven years later…

and even from across a room…

He still had the power to shake something inside me.

Just not something enticing.

I gazed around the hall, not finding him in sight anymore. I sighed thankfully. Someone touched my arm lightly and I jolted softly.

“Hi… I’m Nora.”

I sighed mentally, turning slowly.

“Oh my God, sis. It’s you!” I greeted her with a hug while mentally thanking God that it wasn’t him.

She looked at me, confused as I hugged her. Maybe I had been too loud because many people looked at us.

“Sorry I snuck up on you like that but I think you look familiar.” she said, finally pulling away from the hug, her eyes searching my face as she spoke.

“Well, I know you. You know me. You saved my life seven years ago,” I said, smiling.

She paused and then gasped. She pulled me into her arms again. “Oh my gosh, Cee! You have changed. You look so good. I can’t believe you're the popular and successful Forbes list female occupant, Isabella Schneider. I’m so glad you stayed alive.”

I pulled back and smiled. “Yes, I am.” I kept my answer short. “It is so good to see you again. You look good too.”

We talked for a few more minutes about work, the event, the city, and clothes. And the fact that her father also owns a tech company.

Then the lights dimmed a little, signaling the end of the launch.

Nora lifted her clutch bag. “I don’t know if this sounds strange, but would you like to grab a drink and do some karaoke after this? Nothing crazy though. I could use company, and you seem like someone I’d get along with.”

I hesitated for half a second. Not because I didn’t want to go, but because I wasn’t used to letting people in anymore.

Still… something told me it was fine especially because she had saved my life seven years ago.

“I need to drop my daughter off at home,” I said. “But after that… yes. I can join you.”

Her smile widened. “Perfect.”