YOU'RE ISABELLA LUCIA STERLING... YOU FIGHT!

ISABELLA'S POV 

"You have stage 2 heart failure, caused by a condition known as cardiomyopathy. Based on the tests we ran on the medicine you submitted…” He paused, as if searching for the right words, “…the medication contains toxic substances. Given what you’ve shared about taking them for years, they’ve caused significant damage to your heart.”

I stopped listening. The rest of his words blurred into the background. Stage 2 heart failure. Toxic medicine. Damage. My heart. The only thing ringing clear was the truth: Daniel had done this to me. He had poisoned me while pretending it was to help me get pregnant. My mind spun with disbelief, a sickening, gut-wrenching feeling wrapping around me like a vice, making me want to throw up.

As the gravity of his words sank in, the room spun. It felt surreal as if I were watching my life unfold from a distance. All those years of hope, of yearning to be a mother.

How could he?

The doctor’s voice broke through the fog in my mind. “You’ll need to start treatment immediately. We’ll prescribe medications like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers to help manage your condition, and you’ll have to make significant lifestyle changes— like reducing salt intake, monitoring your fluid levels, and following up regularly. With the rate at which your heart is deteriorating, I'm afraid it wouldn't take long for it enter the last stage. At stage 4, even surgery might not be sufficient and a transplant might become the only option.”

I blinked at him, his words bouncing off me. Medication? Lifestyle changes? Transplant? None of it made sense. The only thing I could process was that Daniel had done this to me. He had destroyed my heart—literally.

The doctor kept talking, but his voice became distant. I could barely feel anything except the weight of betrayal suffocating me, pressing against my chest.

“I suggest you begin treatment as soon as possible, Mrs Sterling,” he said gently, his face full of sympathy. “It’s important to stay positive and keep fighting.”

But how could I fight, when my heart had already been shattered into pieces? How could I start treatment when I don't even have enough money to buy myself water?

I dragged myself out of the hospital, barely registering my steps. The world outside was as grey and heavy as my soul. The sky had opened, pouring down sheets of rain. But I didn’t care. I let the cold droplets drench me as I staggered down the street, numb to the world, numb to the thunder rumbling above.

I was tired. So damn tired. I've barely tried to know what to do with my life now that I have nothing and now the only thing I'm left with is a heart failure with the possibility of me dying. The tears started to fall, blending in with the rain soaking my face. But why? Why me? I had given him everything. My love. My trust. Years of my life. I had believed him. How could he? Was taking everything away from me not enough? Why did he...why did he want to take...my life...

Sobs ripped from my chest, the grief so deep it was like a knife twisting over and over in my heart. It wasn’t just the sickness—it was the betrayal. The lies. The years he had spent slowly destroying me, without me even realising. 

l will myself to keep walking, but the weight was too much to bear. My legs gave way, and I collapsed onto the cold, wet pavement, the rain continuing to fall as if the sky was crying with me. I buried my face in my hands, sobs wracking my body as all the pent up emotions I've been holding back for years came crashing down, my voice hoarse and broken as I screamed into the storm. How could he do this to me? All I wanted was to become a mother but now I can't even guarantee how long I have left to live.

Every insult and every moment of neglect from Daniel played in my mind like a cruel montage. I had poured my heart and soul into our marriage, believing in us, believing he would change, only to be met with this. I've spent my entire life trying to be the perfect daughter, sister, wife, and friend to everyone around. 

I spent years pouring every ounce of myself into building my firm. Late nights, missed birthdays, endless compromises—all because I wanted to prove to everyone that I was more than just someone's wife or someone's daughter. I thought if I built something of my own, they’d see me. They’d accept me. Maybe, just maybe, I’d finally feel like I was enough.

But now?

Now, all that’s left is this crushing silence. The firm is gone. My dreams, my independence, my pride—snatched away by the man who once promised to protect me. How could I have been so blind? My hands tremble as I press them against my face, hot tears spilling through my fingers. I gave everything to be worthy, and this is what I’m left with—nothing but betrayal and ashes.

"Why?!" I screamed, my voice lost in the storm, but it wasn’t enough. "Why?Why?Why?" My fists pounded against the wet pavement, anger boiling beneath the surface, rising, swelling until it felt like I might explode. The grief was suffocating, overwhelming. I cried till there wasn't much tears left. I screamed till I couldn't hear my voice anymore.

Completely drenched, I got up from the cold ground, dragging my feet to wherever it led me.

I am tired. So fucking tired! What do I even do with my life now? How can I ever recover from this? Where do I even start? I had built my whole life around him and the only thing I had to myself wasn't even mine anymore. What was the point of living now that I have nothing to live for?

Looking up I realized I was now at a bridge, standing at the edge of it as I stared down at the huge ocean below me. 

Every one of their words came replaying on my mind.

“Did you really think anyone would love a rigid, pathetic workaholic like you? You were nothing but an ice queen, a hollow shell. No emotion, no passion, like a withered flower. You can barely even satisfy a man in bed. Fucking you was no less that fucking a rock. But believe me, no man can love a woman like you"

"You can’t even bear children with that accursed womb of yours. You’re useless. Unlovable. Disposable"

"Get out of my sight you despicable thing."

“If I were you, dear Sister, I’d find the highest bridge and jump. There’s really nothing left for you, is there?”  

Christabella is right. There really is nothing left to live for. 

I'm sorry Grandma. I'm sorry Grandpa. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I wish you two remain happy even with me gone. 

And that was it. Just as I was about to let the rest of my body go, a buzz came to my phone. I didn't realize I was still holding it till now. I decided to get a last glance at whatever message entered my phone. It was probably from Nonna and it will be the last I get to hear from her before I go.

But looking at the message, it was from an unknown number with just 12 words that quickly snapped me out of my trance.

"You Don't Give Up That Easily. You're Isabella Lucia Sterling... You Fight!"

My eyes widened in horror as I slowly looked around, taking my surrounding. Heavy rain drenching every inch of my clothes and skin, the cold, unforgiving wind of the night, Bridge, Ocean, my feet at the edge.

What the fuck was I thinking of doing right now? End my life? How could I have thought of ending things this way? How could I let them win? How could I let them take everything from me and walk away just like this? How could, I, Isabella Sterling give up everything I've worked so hard for years so easily to him, to them? 

No. This isn't me. 

A sudden fierce resolve washed over me. The pain, the grief—it was still there, but it was transforming, turning into something darker. Anger.

No, not just anger. It was pure, raw rage. I clenched my fists, my body trembling for an entirely different reason now. The tears slowly ceased to fall and suddenly I could see clearly despite the rain.

Enough Is Enough.

I will not let them do this to me. I will not stand by and watch while Daniel ruin my life. He took my heart, my trust, and everything I had built. But I wasn’t going to let him walk away unscathed. No, I’ll make him pay. I'll make them pay.

Daniel and Christabella.

I would take back everything from them. I would leave them with nothing—just like they had left me. They wanted me to be in ruins? To break me down to nothing? Well, I was going to drag them down even further. I will see them crushed beneath the weight of their lies. I will ruin them in a way even hell will be better for them. Even if that's the last thing I do before I die.

Meanwhile Unknown To Isabella.

A sleek black car was parked on the same bridge, not so far from where she was standing, watching her. Inside the car, was a man. It was dark so his face couldn't be seen at first. Then thunder roared and the lighting gave a quick reflection of the man inside the car, whose eyes were fixed intensely on Isabella.

Nicholas Montgomery.