Chapter 3

Taylor’s POV

“So, you finally found out?”

Natalie hesitated for a moment before setting the plate down.

Then she sighed. “Taylor, I wasn’t trying to hurt you. But let’s be honest. You and Jacob stopped being right for each other a long time ago. He’s the Godfather of the Moretti family now. You can’t expect him to spend the rest of his life pretending he’s still the man you fell in love with.”

I stared at her.

“Are you seriously defending him?”

“I’m telling you the truth. Bella is young, beautiful, and understands the world he lives in. Even your parents think she’s better suited to him.”

Her words cut deeper than I expected.

I had endured my parents’ indifference for years. I knew I would never be as precious to them as Bella, no matter how much I did for them.

But Natalie?

She was the person I had chosen as family.

“Back in college, when your roommates accused you of stealing and everyone turned against you, who stood by you?” I asked. “Who helped you find a job after graduation and paid your rent when you couldn’t afford it?”

Her expression hardened.

“Must you bring all that up? You helped me because you wanted to. I never forced you.”

I looked at her in disbelief.

“Besides, Bella has been there for me too,” she continued. “She’s helped me with connections and introduced me to people who have actually advanced my career. You can’t expect me to turn against her because your marriage is falling apart.”

What Natalie didn’t know was that some of the opportunities Bella had supposedly given her had come through me. I had recommended Natalie to people in my professional circle long before Jacob and I began having problems. I had simply never bothered to take credit.

Natalie sighed, her voice softening.

“Taylor, Jacob offered you a generous settlement. Take the money and move on. There’s no point making things difficult for Bella. If you stop treating her like the enemy, perhaps we can still be friends.”

“Don’t bother.”

I picked up my suitcase and walked towards the door.

“Taylor, don’t be dramatic!”

I ignored her.

By the time I reached the street, I had nowhere I particularly wanted to go. I checked into a hotel and spent the evening staring out of the window.

It was only when I checked the date that I realised it was my birthday.

Jacob used to remember it without being reminded. In the early years of our relationship, he would go out of his way to make the day special. Eventually, even those celebrations had become an inconvenience.

I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be celebrated.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Jacob appeared on the screen.

Come back to the estate. Bella wants the lemon tart you used to make for her.

I stared at it, then locked my phone.

A few minutes later, my mother called.

“Where are you? Bella has been asking for you all evening. You know she loves that tart you make. Come home and prepare it for her.”

“I won’t be coming.”

“What do you mean you won’t be coming? Is this how you behave because your husband wants a divorce? Must you make everyone suffer because you couldn’t keep him?”

I closed my eyes.

“That’s right, Mom. I couldn’t keep him. Perhaps you should ask your precious Bella how she managed to do it.”

Before she could respond, I ended the call. I was certain Natalie had already told them I'd found out about their deceit.

I went downstairs to get something to eat.

I had barely reached the hotel entrance when two men in dark suits approached me.

“Mrs. Moretti? Our boss has instructed us to bring you home. Don't make this difficult.”

I looked between them, realising I had little choice but to cooperate.

When we arrived, my mother was waiting at the entrance. The moment I stepped inside, she seized my arm.

“You shameless girl! How dare you speak to me like that on the phone?”

“Mom, let go.”

“Don’t you dare tell me what to do!”

Bella hurried over, wearing a soft pink dress. Her expression was full of concern.

“Mom, please. Don’t be angry with Taylor. She must still be upset. It’s my fault for asking her to come.”

My mother released my arm with a scoff.

“Why are you apologising? She’s the one who can’t accept that her husband has fallen in love with someone else.”

Jacob stood behind Bella, one hand resting on her shoulder.

“Bella has done nothing to deserve your hostility, Taylor. She’s always been kind to you. How difficult is it to treat her with a little decency?”

“I just want to leave here. I've done nothing to her or any of you,” I snapped bitterly.

My mother pointed towards the kitchen.

“Bella hasn’t eaten properly today. Go and make the tart she asked for. At least do something useful for once.”

I had made that dessert for Bella countless times over the years. I went into the kitchen, prepared it, and brought it out shortly afterwards.

Bella smiled sweetly when she saw it.

“Thank you, Taylor. Could you get me some tea too?”

I turned towards the kitchen.

As I passed her chair, she leaned closer and whispered, “You really are pathetic. Even after everything, you’re still running around doing things for me. Jacob chose me. Your parents chose me. And Natalie did too. What exactly do you have left?”

I stopped for a moment, then continued walking.

The tea was freshly brewed and still hot. I was setting the cup down when Bella suddenly shifted her chair, stretching her leg into my path.

I stumbled.

The tea spilled across her hand.

“Ah!”

Bella screamed.

“Bella!”

Jacob rushed towards her, grabbing her wrist and leading her to the sink.

My mother spun around and slapped me.

The sound cracked through the room.

Before I could recover, my father struck me across the other cheek.

“What kind of person does this to her own sister?” he demanded. “I never thought you could be so cruel!”

My face burned. I could taste blood at the corner of my mouth.

My mother snatched the kettle from the counter.

“I’m going to teach you a lesson—”

“Mom, no!”

Bella hurried to stop her, clutching her injured hand.

“Please don’t hurt Taylor. It was an accident. She didn’t mean to.”

Jacob looked at me with open disgust.

“Even after what you’ve done, she’s still protecting you. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

I stared at Bella.

Then she spoke again, her voice trembling.

“I know why Taylor hates me. It's because she loves Jacob so much and I don't blame her. You can hate me and hurt me, Taylor. It's my fault.”

Before I could defend myself, my mother began crying.

“You poor child. You’ve spent your whole life making excuses for her! Even now, you won’t admit how badly she’s treated you.”

Bella lowered her eyes, hiding the faintest hint of satisfaction.

I looked around the room.

Not one person was willing to hear my side.

Jacob pulled Bella into his arms.

“That’s enough. You don’t have to keep defending her.”

Then he looked at me.

“Kneel down and apologise to Bella. Do that, and we’ll put this behind us.”

I stared at him.

My mother lifted the kettle again.

“Apologise, or I’ll pour this over your head myself!”

I glanced at Jacob, then at the people surrounding us.

I was carrying his child. A child he knew nothing about.

I couldn’t afford to risk getting hurt over a fight with people who had already decided I was guilty.

Swallowing the humiliation, I slowly lowered myself to my knees.

“I’m sorry.”

“Louder,” Jacob ordered.

I clenched my hands.

“I’m sorry, Bella.”

He watched me for another moment before turning away.

“Good. Now get out of my sight. And don’t cause trouble for Bella again.”