Chapter 70 The Boy

Isabella was thoughtful for a moment, for it was a very difficult decision to make.

But it was no longer only about her own future and integrity, but also that of her son or daughter, an innocent, a little boy or girl that she did not yet know, but who already knew that she would love more than anything in this world, more than her own life and Maximo.

Someone for whom she would be able to do whatever it takes, including hiding it from her own father and grandfather, at least, until she was sure that no one would hurt them.

Isabella told Diego the truth, not in great detail, but with what was necessary.

She saw how the man clenched his fists in anger as she spoke, Diego closed his jaw, and a throbbing vein swelled in his forehead, anger and indignation consumed him from the depths of his heart.

"That wretch unfortunate, I knew you shouldn't marry him..." He is just like his father. Diego muttered; his voice full of anger.

Isabella tried to remain calm, without her tone becoming confrontational. - I still don't know if Máximo was aware of everything or if he was manipulated by his father. You could be a victim in this situation.

"A victim?" Diego stopped, incredulity in his words. "Do you really think he's a victim?" He is just like his father! He walked around the room agitated, his face reflecting anger and contempt.

"I still want to give him the benefit of the doubt until I can speak directly to Maximo..." Isabella replied firmly.

"Isabella, that theory of Marian's is absurd... Think about it: how could his father have threatened Máximo to accept something like that? Diego looked at her sternly, waiting for an answer that she did not offer. - Don't be naïve. If he threatened him, he did it with money or status. Do you really think that's reason enough for Máximo to do this to you? To fall in love, to strip yourself of everything, and then to discard yourself as if nothing had happened, is the lowest thing a man can do.

Isabella looked down, her sadness palpable as her mind struggled between hope and reality. Although Diego's words were harsh, in his heart there was still a corner for hope.

"And what will you do when you come back and talk to Maximo?" When he excuses himself by saying that everything is his father's fault? Are you going to forgive him and live happily with him? Diego looked at her, his pain evident when he saw how she was consumed in sadness for Maximo.

"No... I don't know..." Isabella shook her head, her eyes full of tears that soon began to slide. - No, I don't know...

She hadn't thought about that, forgive him, if Máximo was extorted and manipulated by his father, if she could forgive him, but Diego was right.

What if Máximo had followed his father's instructions only for money?

No, her heart refused to accept it and now that an innocent little boy was coming, the fruit of their relationship and a love, which she believed to be real on the part of her spouse, she could not judge Máximo without knowing the whole truth.

"Until I come back and talk to Maximo, I don't know what will happen between us. I don't know if I'll forgive him or hate him..." Isabella looked up determinedly, a gleam of resolve in her eyes. "For now, all I can do for myself..." He caressed her belly tenderly. - And for my baby, it's to continue with my plan. I will finish my degree and return to take my place as the head of the Sinclair family... That is the main thing. Isabella tried to maintain her firmness.

"And your marriage?" Will you still be the spouse of Maximo Collins? Diego asked, with genuine interest.

"I..." A lone tear ran down Isabella's cheek, though she tried to suppress it. "If Máximo is guilty, if I discover that it was all a plan with his father or that he accepted the deal for money and power, as you say, I will divorce.

Isabella took a deep breath, she had already thought about that, about divorce, which was the decision she had made, but it hurt, just thinking about it, burned the small wound that was already open in her heart.

Diego looked at her in detail, there was no doubt that she was in love with Maximo, why else would she justify and defend him in that way?

In fact, Isabella looked so in love, that Diego doubted that she could be able to leave Maximo, on the contrary, she seemed more than willing to forgive him everything.

"Will you?" Diego insisted, feeling hurt from the bottom of his heart. "Will you get divorced?"

"It's the only way... It's the only way I have to get my financial and personal freedom... With the divorce, neither Maximus nor Maximilian will have any power over me..." Isabella murmured, thoughtfully. "I will be independent, as the sole heiress of the Sinclair family...

Diego took a deep breath, he was still furious, yes, that could not be denied.

His stomach churned at the thought that Maximo wanted to do such great damage to Isabella, the love of his life, a young woman Diego had adored since he was a child.

However, this information changed the whole situation, because now there was a clear opportunity for Diego.

Although Isabella was evidently in love with Maximo and was expecting a child from him, it could not be denied that she felt hurt, betrayed, so much so that, despite her love for Maximo, she was willing to divorce.

Not only that, but now Isabella was also separated from Máximo and living day by day with Diego, the circumstances had been in her favor, fate was on her side, this was the opportunity that Diego was waiting for.

Isabella could be in love with Máximo, for now, because Diego would know how to take advantage of the time he would have by his side, to make sure that she forgets her spouse and falls in love with him.

The doctor came in with a couple of nurses accompanying him, they came for Isabella to take her to another room and do the rest of the tests.

Diego had been left in the room alone, however, after a long time, he decided to go out for a cup of coffee and just as he opened the door, he ended up bumping into a woman.

"Oh, excuse me, ma'am. Diego looked down at Margaret, who opened her eyes wide when she recognized him.

"Diego..." Margaret murmured, astonished.

"Mrs. Sinclair, I'm sorry, I didn't see you..." He excused himself, visibly uncomfortable.

"You... Now I know where I know you from... You looked familiar, but I couldn't remember where..." Margaret looked at him carefully, recognizing his eyes, the mask, and the cap. "You're the young man who helped me escape from the clinic!" he exclaimed in amazement.

"I don't know what you're talking about, ma'am..." Diego stepped back, his expression hardening.

- Yes, I'm sure... You're the one who made me react, the one who helped me escape..." Margaret insisted, her memory regaining clarity. - Now explain to me, why did you do it and why didn't you mention it before? He asked firmly, making Diego hesitate.

"Okay, I'll tell you, but not here..." he murmured, seriously. "Let's go somewhere else."

They found an empty room, Diego looked very tense, as if he was hiding much more, something very important, which seemed particularly suspicious to Margaret.

"Well?" Margaret crossed her arms when she saw Diego close the door after making sure that no one was following them.

- Yes, it's me. I was the one who helped her, who made her react. I didn't think she would recognize me..." Diego turned to her, looking into her eyes.

"Why did you do it?" Margaret raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.

"I don't think I owe you any explanations, Mrs. Sinclair, but I do owe you a thanks." “Diego spoke confidently.

"Yes, I thank you, but that doesn't make you any less suspicious..."

"Suspected of what?!" Jesus! When will you stop distrusting me?! I can understand your reservations at first, from how I acted in the church, but now? After knowing that I saved you..." Diego was frustrated.

"How do you want me to trust you if you don't give me answers? I didn't know you, you showed up at the clinic out of nowhere to help me get out. Now you introduce yourself as a friend and employee of Máximo, and also as an old friend and lover of my granddaughter. What do you hope he thinks of you? " Margaret clarified her position.

 "Okay... Of course, you won't calm down until I tell you the truth, right? " Diego crossed his arms.

"That's right..." Margaret nodded solemnly.

"I looked for you and spent a lot of time trying to find you..." Diego began to explain, while Margaret frowned.

"But why?" If I didn't know you..." Margaret asked, confused.

"Isn't that obvious?" I did it so that I could help Isabella. Diego nodded firmly.

"What?"

"Listen... I arrived in this country very young, only with my mother. We moved frequently and I wasn't good at making friends until I met Isabella, the daughter of my mom's new friend. We finally stayed in one place for an extended time, and I fell in love with Isabella, I would never lie about it. But after a while, my mom informed me that it was time to move again, just as I learned that Isabella's mother had fallen ill. They were alone, and I had no way to help them... I needed money, which was all, and I didn't know how to get it. But she knew Isabella's family had the money and they could help her. However, I could not approach them; they were billionaires in their world and I, just another mortal...