Chapter 009

The sun had long since set, the rays filtered across the room, as Isabelle slipped out of the Fernandez mansion. Her heart pounded toward each step. She pulled her coat tightly to her body for warmth and also to cover her growing belly. Pressing hard on her mind was the weight of her decision to meet with a woman whom she'd lost trust in.

As she reached the venue for the meeting — the dimly lit park on the outskirts of the city that looked like a deserted area, Isabelle's nerves were on edge as the shock of the scary surroundings battled across her features. It seemed like every rustle of leaves made her jump, and every shadow seemed to hide a potential threat she couldn't seem to understand.

"Isabelle," a voice she knew too well called softly from behind a large oak tree. Allison emerged, her face half-hidden by a hoodie. "I wasn't sure you'd come."

Isabelle steeled herself, trying to keep her voice steady, even as her heart was thumbing like it was going to escape its bony cage. "Yo