You Are Not Leaving

006

“Untie her.” Andrea’s voice was cold and flat, etched with zero emotion.

The three men nodded at once, they moved toward Isabella, one of them bent down and loosened the rope around her legs. Another untied her hands, the ropes fell to the floor with dull sounds.

Isabella gasped as blood rushed back into her wrists, her fingers trembled, she tried to stand, but her legs were weak, before she could fall, two of the guards held her firmly by the arms.

“Put her on the bed ” Andrea ordered.

They dragged her toward the bed and dropped her on it without care. Her back hit the mattress, and she winced in pain, her chest rose and fell fast as she struggled to catch her breath.

Andrea stood over her, his face hard. “Now,” he said slowly, “are you ready to confess?”

There was no sympathy in his voice. Isabella turned her face to the side and laughed bitterly.

“How despicable of you ” she said weakly, “to think I would get pregnant for a stone-cold husband like you.”

She slowly turned her head and looked at him.

“What we had was a one-night mistake,” she continued. “Don’t confuse it for pregnancy.”

Andrea’s jaw tightened.

He turned away from her and began to pace the room, his footsteps were heavy, his hands clenched and unclenched by his sides, each step showed how fast his patience was slipping away.

Suddenly, he stopped, and before Isabella could react, he walked back to the bed and grabbed her by the arm, bending down and forcing his lips on hers, as he kissed her hungrily and roughly .

Isabella froze for a second, then she bit him hard. Andrea groaned in pain and pulled back instantly, blood spilled from his lower lip.

Isabella smiled, feeling somewhat satisfied.

“You bitch!” Andrea growled.

His anger exploded, he lunged forward again and wrapped his hand around her throat, his fingers dug into her skin, pressing tightly.

Isabella gasped,her hands flew to his wrist as she struggled to breathe, her vision blurred. 

“We are going to the hospital ” Andrea said through clenched teeth, “to run a paternity test.”

His face came closer to hers.

“And if this baby happens to be mine ” he continued slowly, “then you are doomed.”

He released her suddenly. Isabella fell back onto the bed, coughing violently, her chest heaved as she struggled for air, tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

“Take her ” Andrea ordered.

The guards lifted her from the bed, her feet barely touched the floor as they carried her out of the room, her head rolled weakly to the side, her body limp from pain and fear. Andrea followed behind them.

Outside, a black car waited, they opened the door and placed Isabella inside, she slumped against the seat, still coughing.

A guard opened the other door for Andrea, he entered, shut the door, and the car drove out of the mansion.

***

The hospital smelt sharply of antiseptic, Isabella sat on the edge of the narrow bed, her hands clutching her stomach. Her hands folded tightly over her stomach. 

Her eyes were dull, heavy with sleepless nights and worry, the fine lines around them spoke of pain she had tried to hide, but they betrayed her regardless, her lips pressed into a thin line, quivering at intervals.

Andrea stood a few steps away, his arms crossed over his chest, his posture was rigid. He didn’t speak, didn’t even blink often, as if staying still could somehow contain the storm inside him. His jaw was tight, muscles taut as wire, his eyes trained on Isabella, trying to read her without being able to touch the words he longed to say, the quiet between them was heavy, almost suffocating, until the door opened.

The doctor walked in, holding a manila file, his shoes squeaking softly against the sterile floor.

“The paternity test confirms that you’re the biological father of the child ” he said, handing the paper to Andrea.

Andrea’s breath hitched. He stared at the file, slow fingers brushing over the paper as if it were fragile glass, the words felt like fire against his skin. It was real, he was going to be a father.

The doctor’s gaze shifted to Isabella.

 “While conducting the test, we noticed she’s been under stress and not feeding properly. Please ensure she’s cared for.”

 “Yes” he said, voice low and firm. “Of course.”

The doctor offered a small, professional nod and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. Andrea looked at Isabella, but her gaze remained fixed on the floor.

He stepped closer, voice rough, tinged with disbelief and longing. “Isabella… look at me.”

She flinched, twisting her hands tighter around her stomach.

 “Why should I?” she shot back, her voice sharp, trembling with anger. 

“I know I should have noticed sooner ” Andrea said, stepping closer, refusing to be pushed back. 

“But I’m here now. That’s what matters. I’m not going anywhere”.

She shook her head, tears brimming. 

“ Really now? After threating me like I mean nothing? You think words can fix this? You think telling me you’re here now will undo the nights I cried alone?” Her voice cracked.

“Do you even understand what it is like to be treated like an outcast in one's marriage?”

Andrea’s chest rose and fell rapidly. He swallowed hard, his own emotions threatening to spill.

 “I do ” he said firmly, stepping closer, his tone leaving no room for argument. 

“I might not have shown it before, but I understand now. And I will not… I will never let anything happen to you or this baby.”

Isabella’s anger flared, heat rushing to her face. 

“You can’t just barge in now and act like everything’s fine! Everything is not fine, Andrea! You left! You left when I needed you the most!”

Andrea’s hands clenched at his sides.

 “I don’t care if you hate me. I don’t care if you won’t forgive me. You’re staying, and so is the baby. I’ll make sure of it.”

Isabella stared at him, disbelief and hurt, warring in her expression. 

“Make sure of it?” she spat, bitter. “Do you even realize what you’re saying? You think stubborn words can hold me here?” She added, anger etched on her voice.

“You don’t get to fight me on this. You don’t get to leave. Not you, not the baby. I don’t care what it takes. I won’t let you go.”

Isabella's hands shook as she pressed them tighter together.

 “Who are you really Andrea? No tell me, you think you can just decide for me? Do you think this baby can be just another thing you own?”

Andrea’s gaze softened slightly, though the stubborn fire remained.

 “No” he said, voice breaking with honesty. “I can’t decide for you. But I can fight for you. I can fight for both of you. And I will. I promise, Isabella, I will never let anything happen to you or this baby.”

“Let me be here for you. Let me prove to you that I’m not leaving. I don’t care how angry you are. I don’t care how much you hate me right now. You and this baby are not going anywhere without me.” 

Isabella's hands trembled, and she finally looked up. “And if I push you away?” she asked, voice barely a whisper.

Andrea shook his head firmly. “Then I’ll stay. I’ll wait. I’ll fight. I’ll do whatever it takes. Because leaving is not an option. Not for me. Not for you. Not for this baby.”

Isabella let out a long, shuddering breath, shoulders sagging slightly as some of the tension drained away. She wanted to scream, to cry, to pull away, but something in his voice, in the determination in his eyes, kept her from doing it.

Andrea reached out slowly, hovering his hand just above hers but she was quick to push him away.

“You don't get to dictate my life Andrea,this is my baby too,and I will sue you if you dare keep us against our will” she threatened.

Andrea smiled knowingly.

“Well madam,this is exactly what I meant when I tell you that, if I find out the baby is mine, then you're doom” he said,and the way he said those words made

Isabella gasp in fear.

One minute he was acting all remorseful and the next he's back to the manipulative and authoritative Andrea.