Fifty Three

Isabella spent the rest of the afternoon with an unsettling feeling that continued to haunt her, growing stronger as time passed. Felix still hadn’t come home, and she couldn’t shake the image of Felix with Sarah from her mind. When night fell, she knew she couldn’t just sit around any longer. Felix’s parents, especially his mother, Sophia Baker, might have the answers—if Felix was avoiding her, perhaps he had gone to them.

After a silent and anxious drive through the city streets, Isabella arrived at the grand Baker family estate. There was always a coldness she felt every time she came there, like the grand mansion was designed to intimidate rather than welcome. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car and walked toward the front door, hoping for answers.

Sophia Baker herself answered the door, her sharp gaze immediately fixed on Isabella with a mixture of surprise and disdain. “Irene,” she said in a stiff voice, “what are you doing here?”

Isabella’s heart sank immediately.