Chapter 5 -A family torn apart

Chapter 5: A Family Torn apart

Their voices quiet yet forceful, Peter and Mary Miller stood outside Isabella's door.

Mary knocked gently, "Isabella," there was no response, then she called out once more. "Please, sweetheart, allow us in we just want to talk to you. Being alone won't solve the problem."

"Leave me alone, please, I don't want to talk to anyone." Tears-filled voice of Isabella emerged from the door.

Peter wrinkled his eyebrows, looking worriedly at his wife. "Isabella, shutting oneself up is not going to do any good. We are your parents, you have to talk to us. Let us stand by your side."

"Go away." She yelled, "I don't want to talk to anyone right now!".

Mary broke off her voice and placed her forehead on the door. "We simply wish to assist you, we can't just leave you alone at this moment, sweetheart. Please...“

"Mom, I need space right now." Isabella shouted back. "I will come out when I am ready. Just go! She added.

Peter laid a firm touch on Mary's shoulder. "Mary, let us give her time. There is no benefit in pushing."

Mary groaned heavily and wiped her eyes. "Fine. But She should not handle this alone, though.

Sitting on the couch in the living room, Sharon's hands were twisted on her lap. Davis gazed out into the darkness from the window. When Peter and Mary walked into the room, there was obvious tension.

Mary wasted no time at all. With a shaking head, she continued, "She won't talk to us. She's heartbroken; I cannot afford to blame her. I totally understand the pain she is going through right now."

Sharon bent her head, guilt flooding her. "I never wanted for any of this to happen."

Peter sat across from them with a strong look. "Sharon, it's happened regardless of your intended outcome. And right now we have to decide what to do."

Mary sat next to her husbabd and inhaled deeply. "You know, earlier I observed something," she said. "It's most likely nothing, but...," 

Sharon skipped a beat in her heart. "What is it, Mom?”

Mary watched Davis and wrinkled her brow. "I thought there was a little resemblance between Ethan and Davis when I first saw them together."

The words hung there like a thunderclap. Sharon stiffened while her pulse surged.

Davis turned from the window, his face unreadable.

"And I had pondered why the little resemblance, but you people stated it happened most times, that it may just be a coincidence, when my instinct tells me something it doesn't lie. Look where we are right now." Mary nodded.

Peter dismissed it with a wave. "Let's pay attention to the present right now that counts the most. The deed has been done already."

Peter leaned forward, staring at Sharon and Davis alternately. "This is the bottom line , Davis, you are the father of Ethan, and I know it comes with so much responsibility."

"I understand that," Davis responded with a firm voice. "I want to treat Ethan right."

"Good," Peter said with great conviction. "But doing right for Ethan does not mean separating this family." I Like you, and I love my daughters as well. But Isabella also loves you. She sees you guiding her towards a future."

Mary nodded with a soft yet forceful voice. "And we don't want to see her heart torn much more than it is, even if this scenario hurts. Tonight she has gone through enough."

Sharon spoke in a tiny but firm voice. "I also don't want to damage Isabella either. None of this is what I wanted to see happening."

Peter looked at Davis. " Young man, you have a decision to make. There is no way to have both. If you will be in Ethan's life, you must consider how it will affect your relationship with Isabella."

Davis's jaw got tighter. "I know. All night I had been thinking about it.

"Well, think harder," Peter remarked, his voice harsh. "This is not just about you now. It concerns the life of all those engaged, Ethan, Sharon, and Isabella."

Mary sighed, her eyes softening to meet Davis. "I know Davis, this is not simple. Still, you have to think through what would be best for everyone, including Ethan. Though he also deserves a stable household, he deserves to know his father."

With her voice just above a whisper, Sharon looked at Davis. "Ethan comes first for me. I will do everything to keep him safe whatever choice you select."

Davis looked back at her, his countenance contradictory. "I want to do what is right Sharon. But I need time to sort out what this is."

 Peter's voice softened, though it stayed strong. "Take the necessary but not excessive time you need. Delaying will make matters worse only."

Mary went to Sharon and grabbed her hand. "And you, dear. On your own, you have endured a great deal. I wish you had shown up here earlier."

Tears filling her eyes, Sharon said, "I was scared, I wanted to avoid disappointing you. I wanted no more suffering caused by me."

Peter's voice softened and he leaned forward. "Sharon, your family is here. We will always support you even if we might not always agree with your decisions."

Mary agreed. “We are always here for you. family, That is all that matters Sharon. we must always stand together no matter what the situation is."

The weight of the conversation dropped over the quiet room. Davis turned back toward the window, with his palms closed into fists. Feeling both intimidated by the unknown ahead. 

Sharon cleaned her eyes and reassured her parents.

Mary shattered the quiet with a tired but resolved voice. "When Isabella is ready, we will speak with her. Right now, all of us have to concentrate on moving forward together."

Peter stood, his eyes still fixed on Davis. "Think carefully, Davis. More lives than only yours will be affected by whatever you choice you make."

Davis nodded, his face not clear. " I understand."