Birthday surprise.

Isabella stepped out of the mansion compound, the cool air brushing against her skin as she made her way to the roadside.

Without hesitation, she lifted her hand, signalling for a cab.

Minutes passed before a yellow cab finally pulled up beside her.

Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, Isabella boarded the cab and after she had exchanged pleasantries with the cab driver, Isabella proceeded to give out her destination.

“Take me to the biggest bakery down the city town hall.” She instructed and with a firm nod, the driver did as he was instructed.

The driver accelerated, merging into the steady flow of traffic, while Isabella exhaled loudly.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her phone and unlocked it.

Her fingers hovered over the screen before she tapped into her last conversation with Jackson.

As the messages loaded, a strange unease settled over her—one she couldn’t quite place.

‘Should I message Jackson and inform him that I am already in town?’ She probed within herself, gazing outside the busy street.

Isabella had started dating Jackson five years ago, back when he lived just a few blocks from her late uncle’s house.

Back then, seeing him had been effortless—stolen moments after school, late-night walks, and whispered conversations that stretched until dawn.

Unfortunately, everything changed two years ago when Jackson was transferred for work to a different city—New York City.

The distance had turned their relationship into a cycle of calls, texts, and occasional visits, each reunion feeling shorter than the last.

Over the past two years, Isabella had visited Jackson occasionally, but never once had she stopped by to see her mother.

She refused to—Evelyn didn’t deserve her visit, not after all those years of silence.

“I’ll just surprise Jackson since it’s his birthday,” she thought, nodding to herself as if sealing the decision.

At least with him, she felt wanted.

Isabella slipped her phone back into her handbag, letting out a quiet breath as she stared out the window.

After half an hour of weaving through traffic, the cab finally pulled over at the side of the road.

Isabella handed the driver the fare, murmured a quick thanks, and stepped out.

Instantly, as she stepped inside the bakery shop in front of her, the scent of freshly baked pastries filled the air, wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

Isabella pointed out her index finger at a beautiful cake in front of her as a smile suddenly spread across her lips.

She ordered what she believed would be necessary and then she headed over to the cashier's desk.

"Gosh! I hope he likes the cake," Isabella said softly, looking at the young cashier who was totalling her bill.

The cashier was able to grab the words of Isabella and she warmly smiled at her. “Your boyfriend must be so lucky to have a wonderful girlfriend like you.” She complimented.

Isabella couldn’t help herself but blush as her cheeks turned crimson red.

The exhaustion from the trip had suddenly disappeared because all she could think of was her boyfriend.

Isabella raised her index finger to her hair, tucking some strands behind her ear while glancing around the bakery shop, just to be certain that she didn't miss out on anything.

“Here’s the bill,” the cashier's voice was suddenly heard and it instantly snapped Isabella's attention back to the counter, where she was presented with the bill.

Quickly, Isabella paid the bills with the help of a credit card, and in no time she grabbed all that she had acquired from the shop.

“I wish you a nice day, Miss.” The cashier uttered calmly as Isabella made her way out of the bakery shop.

The evening sun had risen on the horizon, the sky dark and a gentle breeze caressing Isabella's skin.

Swallowing, Isabella held the cake firmly with her right hand, while a small box of assorted chocolates rested in her left."

Even with a small box of chocolates in her left hand, Isabella waved down a cab with the same hand, determined to surprise her boyfriend before he went to work.

Several cabs drove past her, but after a few minutes, a white cab pulled over by the side of the road

Isabella smiled, opening the door and settling into the seat of the cab while the cab driver accelerated the car engine.

Isabella could still recall the name of Boyfriend Street so without thinking twice, she offered her destination to the cab driver. “Please take me to Inhench Street.” Isabella politely stated.

The cab driver nodded his head as he focused his gaze on the busy road.

Now and then, Isabella's giggles could be heard as she gazed lovingly at the cake that now sat above her thigh.

“Having my boyfriend by my side will help me heal from my grief,” she thought, a smile spreading across her lips.

For the first time in a while, hope flickered in her chest—maybe, just maybe, Jackson’s presence could make everything feel right again.

Isabella's giggle catch the attention of the cab driver, who inquired with a curious expression, “Miss, is it your birthday?”

Isabella shook her head, smiling. ”It's my lovely fiance's birthday, and I want to surprise him before he goes to work.”

“Ohh!” The driver mumbled. “That’s so nice of you dear.” He happily declared.

Isabella smiled, her gaze lingering on the cake in her hands and some minutes later, the driver pulled over at her destination.

She stepped out of the car and warmly smiled at the driver before proceeding to pay for the fare which warranted the driver to drive away.

‘Pfft!’ Isabella sighed as she stared at the compound gate that was right in front of her.

Finding the gate slightly open, she nonchalantly strode inside the compound, arriving at the apartment's entrance door.

The door of the apartment was slightly open which was similar to how the gate was.

'What is Jackson up to by this time of day?' Isabella thought within herself as she stepped into the sitting room, only to find it empty and Jackson nowhere in sight.

‘Could it be that Jackson is already expecting me?’ Isabella inquired within herself while blushing.

She gulped her saliva, hoping that her surprise would make Jackson happy, and slowly she began to make her way towards the bedroom, eager to share her gift with him.

At the entrance of the bedroom, a pair of red heels could be seen.

“This doesn’t look like mine.” Isabella mused to herself because she didn’t own any red heels.

Without lingering on the thought, Isabella stepped into the bedroom, and what greeted her made her world crumble.