21

ISABELLA —-

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my packed suitcases. The decision I was about to make weighed heavily on my heart, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I couldn't stay in this mansion any longer, pretending to be a part of this family when I was nothing more than an outsider.

Sofia played happily in her small bathtub, splashing water all around her. She was oblivious to the turmoil within me, unaware of the lies I was about to tell. I didn't want to burden her with the truth, at least not yet. My first priority was to protect her.

As I heard the sound of Enzo's car pulling into the driveway, panic surged through me. I needed to act quickly, before he could confront me about my sudden decision to leave.

"Sofia, sweetheart, we're going on a little adventure," I said, forcing a smile as I pulled her out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel.

"Where are we going, Mommy?" she asked, her big, innocent eyes looking up at me.

"We're going to visit Aunt Maggie,"