Chapter 95 A Gift

The graduation ceremony was beautiful, each student went to the call of their name to receive their diploma and by the time it was Isabella's turn, Maximo's applause resounded in the room, who stood up to give his spouse a standing ovation, full of pride.

Margaret was not far behind and little Albert, although he did not know very well what the party, he was at was about, followed the flow of his father and grandmother with joy.

By the time the ceremony was over, Isabella said goodbye with nostalgia to her classmates and some friends she had made at the institution, while her family waited for her at a safe distance.

At that moment, Máximo remained with a serious face, noticing how some colleagues hugged his spouse to say goodbye.

During Isabella's four years of study, he had to restrain himself from jealousy with these subjects, so now that Isabella's studies had ended, Maximo also felt the relief of finally being able to take his spouse away from those vultures, as he used to call them.

Isabella approached her family and the first to hug her was little Albert, the young woman bent down to squeeze her little one tightly.

- Congratulations, my girl. Margaret hugged her granddaughter around, her eyes on the verge of tears.

"I'm very proud of you..." Máximo was next, wrapping his spouse in a protective embrace, as if marking territory in front of everyone. “Congratulations, love.

"Thank you... Thank you very much to everyone, I would not have made it without your support. Isabella gave her spouse a small kiss, then wiped away a tear that had escaped.

- Well... Let's go celebrate, we have a reservation..." - Máximo announced enthusiastically.

They turned to leave the room, but a figure made them stop a few steps away.

"Diego?" Isabella asked in surprise.

She glanced sideways at Maximo, afraid of her spouse's reaction to what had happened. But Máximo remained silent, with a serious face.

"Hello..." Diego murmured as he approached, showing doubt and insecurity in his expression.

"What...?" How...? Isabella stammered, perplexed.

“Máximo told me that you would graduate... Congratulations, Isabella. Diego smiled tenderly at her.

Isabella looked at her spouse, impressed, but he was still serious.

"No... I didn't want to bother you, or make you feel uncomfortable..." Diego continued, calling Isabella's attention again. "I just wanted to congratulate you and give you a gift."

"A gift?" Isabella frowned, confused. - You shouldn't have bothered, it wasn't necessary...

- Yes, well... Actually, I bought it a long time ago for you, but the truth is... this was always yours..." Diego took a small object from his pants pocket, held it out to her. Isabella looked at it doubtfully before taking it. "It belongs to you, Isabella, take it." Diego encouraged her.

She held out her hand with some insecurity and Diego left a small key in his palm.

"It's the key to your parents' house, where you grew up." Diego murmured when he noticed Isabella's perplexity when she looked at the key.

Isabella put her hand to her lips, stunned.

"It can't be," he muttered, then smiled with real joy.

"I'm glad you like it." Diego smiled satisfied, putting his hands in his pockets.

- Oh, Diego... I can't accept it, I say... I want to, but..." The young woman swallowed, feeling the lump in her throat, aware of her spouse's piercing gaze.

- Please, Isabella... For a long time, I had thought of giving it to you... I just didn't dare..." Diego, pleading, continued. "It was the only thing I had left of you...

"Diego..." Isabella looked at him sadly.

"But things have changed, I guess I've matured..." Diego shrugged. "You're... You were a good friend, and I was the one who made a mistake, but there will always be affection... Please take it as a token of my sincerest apologies and as a graduation gift...

Isabella nodded, on the verge of tears, as she noticed a beautiful woman a few feet behind Diego, calling out to him.

"Diego?" The woman insisted.

"I'm coming, darling. He replied, turning again to Isabella, noticing the little boy next to him. - You have a beautiful son, and from the bottom of my heart I wish you much happiness... Especially you, Isabella, deserve it.

"Thank you very much, Diego. Isabella murmured, clutching the key to her chest as tears poured out.

"Thank you very much, Maximo. “Diego addressed himself with seriousness and respect. "It has been a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Sinclair. “He said goodbye to Margaret. "By the way, my mother sends greetings to everyone.

Diego turned around, walked towards the beautiful woman who was waiting for him, took her hand and left the room.

Máximo approached his spouse, who now detailed the key as if it were a small treasure.

- Love, are you okay? Máximo asked cautiously.

- Yes, I'm fine... - Isabella looked up at her spouse, wiping her tears with a faint smile. "Why didn't you tell me anything?"

- He wanted to surprise you...

"But you... and Diego..." Isabella felt confused, because as far as she remembered, Diego and Máximo did not get along.

"We've communicated occasionally..." Máximo shrugged. “Every time Diego pays a f*e from the companies... The truth is that he has been very responsible and is doing well; You're almost up to date with your debt. Máximo commented, thoughtfully.

"And they only talk about companies, but even so Diego found out about my graduation..." Isabella raised an eyebrow, suspicious.

"We're not friends, if you suggest..." Only, from time to time, we talk about family. Maximus replied, frowning.

Isabella slid a hand over her spouse's chest gently.

"Okay, Max... You don't have to hide it. I'm glad you get along better with your brother. The young woman nodded and gave him a sweet kiss, leaving him thoughtful.

*

The family had returned, Isabella was surprised with a nice family welcome party, but the family was more surprised to learn of her pregnancy.

It was a moment of absolute happiness, everyone made a toast, although Isabella could not drink, Aiden and Maximo argued for a long time, annoying you like two little ones.

Albert was spoiled by his grandmother Marian, who had not seen him for a long time, Emily and Margaret talked about legal issues regarding families, the norms and rules that govern them as ancient, dynasty families.

And some more relatives who were invited by the Collins and the Sinclair’s, interacted as like-minded, completely forgetting that they were once the competition, because now they were the same.

The next day, Isabella could not wait, she returned to that house, that place where she grew up, where she lived with her parents and where she began a difficult life, with her mother's illness and when she lost everything.

She knew that this would be a very emotional moment, but she had to do it and luckily, Isabella now had a loving spouse who supported her in everything and who accompanied her.

Máximo was by her side; he was her support.

Wherever you looked, you could tell that the place was abandoned, the yard was a disaster, it looked like a small jungle and the façade of the house looked worn and broken, it evoked sadness.

Isabella swallowed thickly, clutching the small key in her hand, and walked determinedly towards the door, opening a swirl of memories crossed her mind.

She saw her mother sitting in the living room, her father reading the newspaper, her eyes crystallized, Isabella closed them tightly and when she opened them again, she only found the house in darkness, full of cobwebs and dust, some sheets covering some furniture and the sensation of cold air that made her shiver.

"Are you okay?" Maximo asked, taking her hand, pulling it out of its reverie.

"Yes, thank you. She tried to smile at him, although that smile didn't reach her eyes.

Together they toured the house, detailing each room, how battered the place was, deteriorated walls, broken floors, broken windows, it was a disaster that did not look at all like the home Isabella remembered.

Trying to contain herself with all her strength, Isabella entered her parents' old room, there she could not take it anymore, tears began to flow little by little.