Isla is stunned when the doctor confirms she is four weeks pregnant, a moment she had long dreamed of as part of building a happy family with Gabriel. This news brings her hope and joy, especially as Gabriel seems calmer and more peaceful lately, with the recent family scandal involving Delphine and Anna finally quieted. Isla busies herself preparing a special dinner to share two important gifts with Gabriel: the news of her pregnancy and an exciting update about her jewelry company involving a rare pink diamond.
Dressed elegantly and setting a romantic candlelit table, Isla eagerly awaits Gabriel’s arrival, hoping to celebrate a fresh start together. However, when Gabriel enters, Isla immediately senses something is wrong. Though she embraces him warmly, his touch lacks its usual warmth, and his tired, distant demeanor unsettles her. Despite her attempts to lighten the mood and lead him to the dining room, Gabriel remains silent and unreadable, casting a shadow over the evening.
As they eat, Isla watches Gabriel closely, hoping to detect some sign of happiness, but his face remains blank and weary. Gabriel struggles with the heavy weight of unspoken words, and when he finally speaks, he mistakenly calls her “Islav,” causing Isla’s smile to falter. Then he asks if she is pregnant, a question that shocks her deeply because she had kept the pregnancy secret from everyone, including Gabriel and her closest confidants.
Isla is left stunned and speechless, unable to understand how Gabriel could know such private information. The moment is charged with tension and confusion, as her carefully planned celebration turns into an emotional confrontation filled with unspoken fears and unanswered questions.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Wyndham. You are four weeks pregnant.”
The doctor’s words struck Isla like a sudden surge of electricity, leaving her momentarily stunned. She simply stared at him, her mouth slightly agape, struggling to absorb the reality of what she had just heard.
Pregnant. A tiny life was growing inside her—a heartbeat she hadn’t yet heard but already cherished deeply.
She had imagined this moment countless times in her dreams. She had envisioned building a family with Gabriel, hearing the joyful laughter of their children reverberate through their home, and living as one happy, united family. And now, that dream was no longer a distant fantasy—it had become tangible, real.
At last, the pieces of her life were beginning to fall into place once more. Gabriel seemed calmer lately, more at peace. He hadn’t seen Delphine since the scandal erupted. Both Delphine and Anna had retreated into silence, hiding away after the viral video that had turned the internet against the Wyndham family. For the first time in a long while, tranquility had returned to Isla’s heart.
She hummed softly as she moved about the kitchen, her hands busy slicing fresh vegetables and stirring shrimp gently in a sizzling pan. The rich aroma of her homemade pasta sauce filled the warm air, wrapping the room in comfort. Her heart swelled with happiness. Tonight, she planned to give Gabriel two precious gifts—one from the heart, and one full of hope.
The first gift: the news of her pregnancy.
The second: the exciting update about her jewelry company.
She had kept that part of her life a secret from Gabriel until now. But tonight, she was ready to reveal everything.
Months ago, she had ordered a rare, vivid pink diamond that had finally arrived. This extraordinary gem wasn’t just a beautiful addition to her designs—it had the potential to transform her entire company’s future. It felt as though everything was finally aligning perfectly.
Isla wore a flowing white silk dress that looked simple yet elegant, soft and pure. It seemed symbolic of a fresh start, a new chapter unfolding.
The dining table was set with care and grace. Candles nestled in crystal holders flickered gently, casting golden, dancing patterns across the room. The overhead lights were off, leaving only the warm, romantic glow of candlelight to illuminate the space.
Normally, Isla and Gabriel shared their meals in the cozy kitchen, but tonight was different. Tonight, they would dine in the main dining room, and she was determined to make it special.
On the table lay a cream-colored envelope, sealed with a kiss of her lipstick. Inside were her pregnancy test results. She smiled softly, tracing the edges of the envelope with her finger before taking her seat. Everything was ready.
The faint sound of the front door unlocking made her heart leap. She rose quickly, moving to greet him, unable to hide the bubbling joy inside.
Gabriel entered, his tall frame filling the doorway. But when Isla met his eyes, her smile wavered. Something felt off.
She sensed it immediately. Still, she rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his neck before he could speak. His hands found her automatically, but there was no warmth in his touch—no familiar spark—only a cold stillness.
For a moment, Isla froze, then slowly pulled away. She looked up at his face. His tie was loosened, his jacket hung from one hand, and his usually vibrant green eyes looked tired, distant, almost hollow.
She laughed softly, brushing off the uneasy feeling, unwilling to let the moment fall apart. “Welcome home, dear. You look exhausted,” she said with a playful pout—a rare gesture from her—hoping to coax even the smallest smile from him.
But he remained silent. His quiet was heavy, pressing down on the air between them.
How could he know?
No one else was aware. She hadn’t even confided in Sofie. She had gone to a private clinic, not Wyndham Hospital. So how was it possible that he had this information?
Isla stared at him, her lips parting, but no words came out. The golden candlelight flickered across her stunned face, her breath shallow, and her eyes beginning to sting with unshed tears.
This chapter delicately captures the fragile intersection of hope and uncertainty in Isla’s life. Her joy at discovering the new life growing within her and the promise of a fresh start is palpable, yet it is shadowed by the unspoken tension between her and Gabriel. The contrast between the warm, lovingly prepared evening and Gabriel’s distant demeanor underscores the emotional complexity of their relationship, hinting at unresolved struggles beneath the surface.
Despite the looming questions and the silent weight pressing on their moment, Isla’s quiet strength and hope remain steadfast. The chapter leaves us suspended in a tender, vulnerable space where love, secrets, and the future intertwine. It’s a poignant reminder that even amidst doubt and fear, the desire for connection and new beginnings continues to burn brightly.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile tension that has begun to creep between Isla and Gabriel. As Isla’s carefully crafted evening unfolds, the unexpected slip of Gabriel’s words hints at secrets lurking beneath the surface—secrets that could challenge the fragile peace they’ve found. Readers will be drawn into the emotional complexity of their relationship, where joy and doubt intertwine, and every glance and word carries weight.
Emotions will run high as Isla grapples with the realization that Gabriel knows more than she expected, stirring questions about trust and loyalty. The quiet unease that has shadowed their reunion threatens to break through, setting the stage for difficult conversations and heartfelt revelations. The delicate balance of hope and uncertainty will keep readers eager to see how Isla and Gabriel navigate this turning point, and whether their love can withstand the shadows of the past.
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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