Lady Arabella Martinez

Gabriel's gaze softened as he took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting the memories. "I thought I had lost you," he began, his voice tinged with emotion. "I was devastated, but then I learned that you were in a coma. That's when I began waiting for you to wake up, to come back to me." His words carried the anguish he had endured during the uncertain wait.

As he spoke, the emotions played across his face, from the depths of despair to the glimmer of hope that had sustained him through the difficult days. "But then, when I found out that you were still alive, despite being in a coma, it was like a ray of light cutting through the darkness," Gabriel continued, his eyes meeting Isabella's with relief and unwavering determination.

Isabella listened intently, her heart heavy with the realization of the pain Gabriel had endured during her absence. She reached out and took his hand, offering him a silent reassurance as they shared a moment of understanding amidst the turmoil that had brought them to this point.

Isabella nodded, her eyes filled with determination, and she turned to Gabriel. "I have another question," she said softly, her voice reflecting her need for closure.

Gabriel hesitated concerned expression on his face. "Isabella, you should rest. You need to focus on your recovery," he urged gently, hoping to spare her from any additional emotional strain.

But Isabella shook her head, her resolve unwavering. "No, Gabriel. I have to address this for my own mental well-being," she insisted, her voice steady and determined.

After a moment of contemplation, Gabriel relented, recognizing the importance of Isabella finding closure. "Alright," he acquiesced, though uncertainty flickered in his eyes as he anticipated the impending conversation.

"What is it?" Gabriel asked, bracing himself for Isabella's question, though he had a sense of the direction in which her thoughts might be turning.

Isabella took a deep breath before asking, "What has been happening with my ex-husband and my former best friend?" Her voice held apprehension and a need to understand the events that had transpired during her absence.

Gabriel met Isabella's gaze, his expression filled with empathy as he prepared to share difficult news. Taking a deep breath, he began, "Caleb and Scarlett have been living a good life with the company. They've expanded and secured several investors over the past year. They've been doing well and has been living all Lovey-dovey." As he spoke, he observed Isabella's fists clenching, a clear sign of the emotions churning within her.

Sensing her rising anger and turmoil, Gabriel understood her reaction. "I know this is hard to hear but…," he said softly, his voice laced with understanding.

Isabella struggled to contain her emotions, her mind reeling from the news. "Why are you telling me it's hard to hear and why the but?" she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief and frustration.

Gabriel hesitated for a moment before revealing his actions. "Isabella, there's something else you need to know," he began, his tone somber. "I made Caleb and Scarlett believe that you were dead." He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing.

Isabella's eyes widened in shock as she processed his revelation. "What? Why would you do that?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief and confusion.

"I did it to protect you," Gabriel explained, his gaze unwavering. "I knew Caleb would stop at nothing to eliminate any threats to his ambitions which is you. I had to make them believe that you were no longer a factor, for your safety."

Gabriel gazed into Isabella's eyes, his voice heavy. "Isabella, it was the best I could do," he confessed. "I discovered a year ago that Caleb and his mistress were planning and ready to eliminate you, just like they did to Emily, your sister."

"So...Isabella," Gabriel confessed, his voice filled with remorse, "when you were in a coma, I... I made a grave for you, with a tombstone bearing your name. I did it to convince Caleb and Scarlett that you had passed away, for what I thought was the best."

Isabella's eyes widened in shock as she processed Gabriel's words making them believe she was dead was a different issue but making a tombstone for her was a shocking revelation to Isabella. "You did what?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief and hurt. "How could you do something like that without even telling me?"

Gabriel hung his head, unable to meet her gaze. "I know it was wrong, and I should have handled it differently. I was just so desperate to make them believe you were gone, for your sake."

As Gabriel spoke, Isabella felt her emotions swirl into a whirlwind of confusion. She struggled to comprehend the depth of his actions and the impact they had on her. After a moment of reflection, however, Isabella began to see it from a different perspective. Maybe starting anew was the best course of action after narrowly escaping death, and perhaps it was time and the best way to make Caleb and Scarlett experience a taste of their own medicine. With resolve in her eyes, Isabella broke the silence.

"Gabriel," she began, her voice steady but resolute, "I've been pronounced dead to the world for a year right?, so… I've just decided that I'll be changing my name."

Gabriel looked at her, surprise evident in his expression as he processed her words. "Isabella, are you sure? It's a big decision, it won't be that bad bearing your real name," he cautioned, concern lacing his tone.

Isabella met his gaze with a newfound sense of determination. "I'm sure, and it would be bad bearing my previous name after being pronounced dead you know, Like you always say you can't eat your cake darling and have it," she affirmed.

Which made Gabriel smile despite having to deal with Isabella's name changing, he has always loved the name Isabella as it fits her perfectly but now that would change.

"It's time for a fresh start, and a new name is the first step," Isabella added

Gabriel had no choice but to ask Isabella what name she had decided on, unable to hide his curiosity. "So, what name will you be going for?" he inquired, his tone tinged with respecting her choice and anticipation.

Isabella met his gaze and offered a small, determined smile. "I've chosen the name Arabella another form for Isabella," she revealed.

"Arabella," Gabriel repeated, nodding in understanding. "It's a beautiful name, just like you."

Isabella's heart fluttered at the sincerity in Gabriel's words, and she felt a glimmer of reassurance in her decision. "Thank you," she murmured.

Gabriel's curiosity was piqued once more. "And what about a surname?" he asked.

Isabella's eyes sparkled with a newfound sense of belonging as she replied, "I'll be bearing my maternal grandparents' name, Martinez. Arabella Martinez."

Gabriel nodded in approval, acknowledging the significance of her choice. "Arabella Martinez," he repeated, testing the name on his lips. "It suits you perfectly."

"Gabriel, do I look the same as before?" Isabella asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she looked at him.

Gabriel met her gaze with a reassuring smile. "Yes, Isabella, your face is essentially the same as before, but you've slimmed down a bit due to the effects of the coma. You're still very recognizable," he explained, hoping to ease her concerns about her changed appearance.

Isabella nodded, taking in Gabriel's words as she processed the subtle changes she had undergone during her recovery.

After Gabriel confirmed that her face was essentially the same but slightly different due to the effects of the coma, Isabella's curiosity about her appearance grew. "Could you get a mirror for me, Gabriel?" she asked with a hopeful look in her eyes.

Nodding in understanding, Gabriel left the hospital room in search of a mirror. As he wandered through the hallway, he spotted a passing nurse and quickly approached her. "Excuse me, could you please direct me to where I can find a mirror?" he inquired politely.

The nurse kindly pointed him in the right direction, and soon Gabriel returned to Isabella's side, a small handheld mirror in his hand. He handed it to her, watching as she gazed at her reflection with emotions.

As Isabella observed her changed appearance, a faint smile on her lips. "I think I look even prettier now," she remarked, a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. However, her expression turned serious as she continued, "But I plan to change some features" Isabella said.

" How?"

" through plastic surgery to alter my appearance completely."

Gabriel's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What do you mean, Isabella?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

"I mean that after the surgery, I'll be assuming a new identity as Arabella Martinez," Isabella explained, her gaze steady and resolute.

"It's time for a fresh start in every way possible for me."