Dr. Matt enters the room with a nurse to perform Isla’s final medical examination before her discharge. The atmosphere is tense with grief and anger as everyone else is asked to wait in the lounge. Isla, still weak and lost in her thoughts, reports only a headache while hiding the deeper emotional pain she feels from recent traumatic events. Dr. Matt reassures her that the miscarriage tests show no complications and advises her to rest and try conceiving again in a few weeks.
After the doctor leaves, Isla reflects on the strained relationships around her, especially the conflict with Gabriel and the secret she has been keeping. She senses that Gabriel is already suspicious and realizes she cannot stay silent much longer without risking his trust. Her parents, Diana and Charles, enter, expressing their deep concern for her wellbeing. Diana encourages Isla to be honest with Gabriel and insists that the woman responsible must be punished, while Charles remains quietly worried.
Isla wrestles with the dilemma of whether to reveal the truth immediately or wait, fearing that John and Alfred’s secret plan might be compromised. The tension builds as she looks to her father for guidance but receives no answer. Just then, Stone arrives, carrying something important. He presents Isla with her repaired phone, which she takes with a surge of determination, recognizing it as the crucial evidence she needs to confront her adversary and fight back.
The door creaked open slowly, and Dr. Matt stepped inside, followed closely by a nurse. Clutching a clipboard, his face was etched with concern, his eyes sharp and observant as they swept across the room. The atmosphere was thick with tension, a heavy mix of grief and simmering anger that seemed to hang in the air like a storm about to break.
“I’d appreciate it if everyone could wait in the lounge,” Dr. Matt said with firm politeness. “I need to conduct the final examination before discharging my patient.”
John immediately nodded in agreement. “Alright, Dr. Matt,” he replied, glancing toward Gabriel, Charles, and Diana, silently signaling them to follow him out.
No one objected. Though the tension remained palpable, it loosened just a bit as they all filed out, leaving Isla alone with the doctor and nurse. The door clicked shut behind them, and the room fell into a heavy silence once again.
Dr. Matt moved to Isla’s bedside, his expression softening as he opened the folder in his hand. The nurse, dressed in pale pink scrubs, stepped closer and gently disconnected the IV line from Isla’s arm. The faint prick barely registered with Isla; her mind was elsewhere, lost in a whirl of thoughts.
When the nurse finished, Dr. Matt looked at her with steady concern. “Do you have any complaints? Pain, nausea, dizziness?”
Isla’s voice was quiet, almost fragile. “Just a headache,” she admitted softly. There was also a dull ache in her chest, a pain that came and went, but she kept that to herself. She knew that ache wasn’t physical—it was the weight of all she had endured in the past few days, pressing down on her heart.
Dr. Matt nodded thoughtfully, jotting down notes. His tone softened as he continued. “The results from your miscarriage tests have come back. Everything appears normal—no internal damage or signs of infection. In a few weeks, you can try to conceive again. Don’t wait too long.”
Isla managed a faint smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thank you, doctor. I’ll remember that.”
He returned her smile with a reassuring nod. “Good. For now, rest as much as you can and keep up with your medications. That will be all for today.”
As he turned to leave, Isla’s voice stopped him—a question she’d been holding back. “You said a few weeks… but how soon is that, exactly?”
Dr. Matt paused, then faced her again, his expression gentle. “As soon as your body feels ready. Usually, a week or two of rest is sufficient. Just give yourself time to heal before trying again.” He smiled warmly. “And don’t forget to come back in a week for your post-checkup. It’s just routine.”
“Alright. Thank you, Doctor,” Isla said gratefully.
He nodded once more and exited the room, the nurse following behind. The soft click of the door closing felt like the end of a heavy chapter—and the beginning of a challenge she now had to face alone.
For a long moment, Isla sat there, still in her hospital gown, her thoughts swirling wildly. She recalled the look in Gabriel’s eyes when she mentioned sending Anna to jail—a turbulent storm of love clashing with horror. She remembered John’s desperate plea, begging her to let Alfred handle everything.
Her head throbbed, but not from the fall. It was the weight of secrets pressing down on her chest, suffocating her.
She shook her head slowly, determination rising within her. She couldn’t stay silent any longer. Not after everything that had happened. Gabriel was already sensing that something bigger was being kept from him, and if she hesitated now, she risked losing his trust forever.
The door opened again, this time more gently. Diana and Charles entered, their faces etched with exhaustion and deep concern.
“Betty and Maya are here,” Diana said softly as she approached. “They’re waiting in the lounge.”
Isla gave a faint smile. “And Gabriel?”
“He’s gone to see Alfred,” Diana replied. “He should be back soon.”
The worry in her parents’ eyes was unmistakable. It wasn’t just the usual concern parents have—it was fear. Fear for her health, for her heart, and for what she might do next.
He nodded, his voice calm and steady as always. “I’ve fixed your phone,” he said, stepping closer and carefully extending it toward her in his gloved hand. “Here it is.”
Without hesitation, Isla stood and snatched the phone from him, clutching it tightly against her chest. Her heart pounded fiercely. The phone felt heavier than before—as if it carried not only its physical weight but the burden of everything she had lost and the fight she was about to wage.
At last, she thought. Finally, she held the proof she needed to bring that woman down once and for all.
The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing Isla’s fragile yet resolute state as she navigates the aftermath of her loss and the tangled web of secrets surrounding her. The emotional weight pressing on her chest mirrors the physical pain she endures, yet beneath it all, a quiet strength begins to emerge. Surrounded by loved ones who offer both comfort and counsel, Isla stands at a crossroads, torn between the urge to protect those she cares for and the necessity of revealing the truth.
In this delicate moment of healing and decision, the return of Stone with her repaired phone symbolizes a turning point—a tangible link to the evidence that could finally expose the betrayal she has suffered. Isla’s clenched grip on the device reflects her determination to confront the darkness ahead, even as uncertainty lingers about the consequences. The chapter leaves us suspended between vulnerability and courage, underscoring the themes of trust, resilience, and the difficult choices that come with seeking justice and reclaiming one’s voice.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into Isla’s internal struggle as she grapples with the weight of her secrets and the looming decisions that could alter the course of her relationships. With Gabriel already sensing something amiss and her parents urging honesty, the emotional tension is set to rise, forcing Isla to confront the delicate balance between trust and protection. Readers will be drawn into the complexity of her choices, wondering how much she will reveal and what consequences will follow.
Meanwhile, the presence of Stone and the return of the repaired phone hint at new opportunities—and dangers—that Isla must navigate carefully. The phone, now a symbol of hope and power, could be the key to justice, but it also raises questions about timing and strategy. As alliances shift and hidden plans unfold, the next chapter will explore the fragile threads connecting each character, leaving readers eager to see whether Isla’s determination will be enough to overcome the shadows closing in around her.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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