Chapter 73 We Need to Talk

Isabella felt her heart dance, just a moment ago Maximo seemed upset to find out about her pregnancy, but a second later, he hugged her and held her to his chest, just where she could feel the fast rhythm of her spouse's heart.

"I can't believe it... Isabella, you're pregnant, we're going to be parents, I'm going to be a dad! And you... I'm sure you'll be a wonderful mother..." Maximo murmured to her with his voice broken with emotion.

"Yes, it is... Is... Wonderful. She muttered, feeling how joy filled her heart until it stunned her, although deep down, fear made its way.

Maximo caressed her, smiled at her, he really looked happy, but could he believe him? Could his emotion be true? What would happen now that Maximo knew that she was pregnant?

Isabella swallowed thick while all these doubts crowded in her mind, she tried to continue smiling next to her spouse before Margaret's cheerful look and an uncomfortable grimace from Diego.

"Well, it's decided..." Máximo took his spouse's hand. - There are no excuses, you must go home with me...

"Should I?...

"Yes, you should..." Máximo assured firmly. "You're pregnant, there's no way I'm going to leave you here. I know you want to study, but with the fainting, I think it's best to lead a quieter life...

The thought of a quieter life overwhelmed Isabella, evoking memories of Marian's dull life. Anxiety began to envelop her.

"No, Max, I already told you that..." Isabella tried to refuse, but Máximo lifted her in his arms, carrying her like a child.

“What do you mean? We're going home..." Máximo said with authority, pressing her to his chest as he took her out of the hospital. Isabella was kicking, trying to free herself in front of those present.

"Enough, Maximo! Enough! Let me! What are you doing? Isabella shouted, as Máximo walked to the car, followed by everyone.

- Maximo, it is not right for you to force her. I don't think this is the way to..." Diego began to say, worried, as he walked behind them. The situation definitely ruined his plans.

- Silence, Diego! Maximus roared, stopping abruptly in front of him. Isabella was also silent in the face of her spouse's authoritarian tone. "This will be resolved by my spouse and me. No one else has to get involved..." Máximo pulled Isabella closer to the car, settled her in the back seat and climbed in next to her. - The fact that you are my friend, and I give you certain privileges does not give you the right to have an opinion on our personal affairs, do you understand? - Máximo finished from the window. Diego pursed his lips in a line. "Do you understand?" Maximus repeated, noticing his friend's discomfort.

“Yes. Diego murmured.

- Well... You can pick up your things from the apartment I assigned you. You'll be back at your old post. “Máximo ordered. Diego turned around, leaving with his fists clenched in helplessness.

Before ordering the driver to leave, Maximo spotted Margaret in the distance, getting into a van with a pair of bodyguards.

"Mrs. Sinclair, please order the move." We will see her in the penthouse. - Máximo said towards Margaret, who nodded with a satisfied expression.

Isabella spent the whole way serious, thoughtful; Maximo didn't say anything to her, he remained silent assuming that his spouse only had an attack of rudeness that would pass, in fact, he even believed that Isabella looked adorable with the pout she had.

Of course, Máximo understood that Isabella wanted to continue studying and preparing! It is not that his efforts until now did not mean anything, however, Isabella now carried a baby in her womb, her baby, and that changed things, because that pregnancy was a compelling and sufficient reason, not to allow his spouse to be away, in addition to the reasons that he already kept inside.

Isabella and Maximo arrived at the penthouse, around the same time as Margaret, who was already giving orders to the employees.

- Grandma, what are you doing? Isabella took Margaret's arm and led her to another room.

"Which seems right to me," Margaret replied determinedly.

"But did you forget why we left?" We can't go back, no..." Isabella explained worriedly.

"Isabella..." Margaret interrupted her calmly. - I told you that I would support you and I did. You wanted to hide what you heard from Maximo, and even though I didn't agree, I supported you. You wanted to study and prepare, and I also supported you. Even when Diego told me about hiding the pregnancy, although it seemed crazy to me, I supported you. But fate and life have decided that you can't stay away from your spouse any longer..." Margaret looked her in the eye confidently, holding her granddaughter's hands. "Listen, Isabella, it's time for you to face Maximo and tell him the truth. Listen to their version and face this situation together.

The young woman looked down in fear, Margaret came over to hug her, comforting her.

“I know you're scared, but at some point, this had to happen, either now or when you finish your degree...

"What if...?" If he doesn't love me? If what I heard is true and sends me away? Isabella's voice trembled, reflecting a fear deeper than simply being pushed aside.

Margaret stepped aside for a moment to look her granddaughter in the eye, understanding that Isabella's fear wasn't just about being exiled. Isabella's real fear was that Maximo's love was a cruel lie. Gently, Margaret lifted Isabella's chin.

"If she doesn't love you, if it was all a trap or a lie, which wasn't going to change, even if you study and prepare..." Margaret clarified, noticing the grimace of pain on Isabella's face. “While it's valuable to work hard and prepare, you don't need to become someone else for others to recognize, respect, or love you. Because when people are blind, they don't see the value of gold, even if you polish it..." Margaret smiled warmly. "You're wonderful and much stronger than you think. You just have to take the step forward and face your fears.

"And if”"

- And if the worst happens, remember, daughter, whatever happens, you can count on me. If I'm wrong with Maximo and he turns out to be an idiot, I promise I'll do whatever it takes to help you, and we'll fight together until the end.

Margaret left the room, leaving Isabella in the midst of her thoughts.

She was afraid, very much, above all she was afraid to hear from Maximo's own mouth, to accept that he was involved in Maximilian's plans, because that would break her heart.

But there was no escape, it was time to face him. Isabella took a deep breath, to fill herself with courage, and came out a minute later.

"Pick everything up quickly, the ladies will be moving out of the penthouse tomorrow!" - Máximo was ordering the employees in the room, when he saw his spouse leave with an anguished expression.

"Isabella?" He approached quickly, worried. - Did something happen?

"Yes, we have to talk..." Isabella tried to sound determined, but her seriousness made it clear that something was not right. Máximo assumed that she would continue to insist on staying.

"Talk?" If it's about staying, I told you, you'll go with me, whether you want it or not..." Máximo said firmly, turning to continue giving orders while the employees watched curiously.

Isabella looked around, feeling the weight of stares and the rapid beating of her heart. Maximo's attitude irritated her. Why so much effort? Why so much eagerness? Why couldn't her spouse even hear her?

"Tell me something, Maximo..." Isabella insisted, raising her voice.

"What?" He turned to her, with a grave expression.

“What is your determination to get me back now? Isabella crossed her arms, hardening her expression.

Maximo stared at Isabella, who seemed not to accept the decision that her spouse had made, he understood that they both needed a moment alone, so he ordered all the employees to leave the room.

"What do you want me to tell you, Isabella?... “Máximo approached his spouse. "Do you want me to leave you here and I come back alone?, and then what?, I won't even be able to be there during the pregnancy or the birth of our baby?, I won't be able to accompany you, or take care of you?, I want you by my side, I want you back..." He turned and walked around the room, taking a breath, to stay calm, because he didn't even want to have this argument. "It's just that... I don't understand, why do you insist on moving away, why can't you stay by my side?

"Why?" Isabella's breathing was heavy, feeling like a thousand emotions were approaching her.

"Don't you love me, is that it, don't you feel anything for me?" Isabella asked, her voice trembling.

"No, it's not that!" - Máximo replied, somewhat altered.

- Then tell me, why, why do you refuse to come back, why are you so determined to...?

"Because I..." Isabella interrupted him. "The truth is that I... I don't trust you...

"What?" “A prick of discomfort pierced Máximo.

"I heard you... Or, rather, I heard them..." Isabella revealed, her voice breaking.

"To whom, what are you talking about?" Máximo looked at her with confusion.

"You and your father, Max, in your office, in your apartment, does that ring a bell?" Isabella asked, her voice trembling. Máximo wrinkled his eyebrows, his heart racing as he processed his spouse's words.

"What?" Máximo was paralyzed for a moment. I had always feared that this would happen. "Isabella..." He took a step towards her, but she backed away instantly.

Maximo swallowed thickly, feeling a twinge of pain. How could this happen? How had he gone from being one of the most beautiful moments of his life, when he found out that he would be a father, to becoming the worst?

"You didn't hear the whole conversation, did you?" Máximo asked cautiously.

"What are you talking about?" Isabella frowned, and Maximo exhaled with relief.

"I... I refused, Isabella. I told my father I wouldn't. Maximus murmured, hoping that she would believe him.

Isabella felt a leap in her chest, a mixture of hope and doubt. Although her heart was filled with excitement, she still wasn't completely sure.

"Did you refuse?" She asked, with disbelief in her voice.

"That's right...

“After how long? Isabella asked, crossing her arms.

"What?"

- As I understood, it was a plan they already had, and it was time to execute it to avoid gossip after the scandal with Valeria... So, Maximus, tell me, after how long with that plan, did you refuse?

Máximo felt as if the world was falling on him. A shiver ran through her body, knowing that her words could signify her own loss.

"Since our wedding..." Máximo confessed, with a trembling voice. Isabella winced. "My father proposed this plan to me on our wedding day...