Isabella's POV

I couldn't sleep a wink all night. I turned into a night watchman for Jayden because I was scared something would happen to him during the night.

I forgot to come with my phone so I had nothing to keep me busy. I kept having wild imaginations of a weird creature coming through the windows and stealing Jayden away from here so I held on to him till it was morning and I placed my head on his chest to know that he was still breathing.

Still alive.

My joy knows no bounds.

First, because his Mother will blame me if anything happens, and secondly because I want him to survive whatever it is eating him up that he doesn't want to talk to me about.

Apparently, everyone else knows about the story of him and Helena.

I kept thinking of the decision I needed to make throughout the night and I have gotten my answers.

I have a job to do. A job that no one sent me. A job I will not be paid for but I hope it will help heal Jayden.

Before I can rise to stretch my body, a knock comes on the door. Thinking it is the same doctor who came to check on Jayden last night after he had already fallen asleep, I say "Come in."

The door opens and Gabriel walks in without Sabrina.

I wish she is here to console me again. Those soothing words actually consoled me even though I cried more.

It made me realize I had a bad impression of her because of how she acted that night.

"Good morning", he smiles at me as he approaches. He stops halfway to examine me. "Don't tell me you didn't sleep."

"You don't look like someone who did too", I mutter softly, turning to stare at Jayden who stirs in his sleep.

Gabriel chuckles lightly. "I slept."

"You didn't."

"Well, that was because of Sabrina. She began to crave chicken stew when we got home last night and I had to make it for her because she began to cry out that the baby wanted it."

Despite my misgivings, I can't help but laugh.

These two are drama King and Queen and now that I know how good they are, I don't mind being friends with them. In fact, I want to be friends with Sabrina. A friend with benefits. I plan to get the answers to my puzzles through her. If she doesn't know, I will persuade her to ask Gabriel for me.

I know if I ask him, he won't tell me. His loyalty lies with Jayden and Jayden would never want him to inform me about anything that has to do with his past.

It will be inappropriate to ask his father too. If they wanted me to know, they would have informed me about it last night when I told them he became mad after I asked him about Helena.

My mind shifts to Mrs. Russell. I don't have the strength to handle her because I know she will soon be here so I should leave before she comes.

"Jayden is a strong man", he murmurs more to himself as he watches his friend's sleeping face. "I admire how strong he is."

I want to ask him what he means by being strong. What is he implying with these strange words?

Jayden stirs again and he flutters his eyes open to meet my gaze. Slowly, he shifts them to Gabriel and his face breaks into a smile.

"I thought you left", his voice is hoarse. He tries to sit up and I quickly rise to help him.

"Thank you," he says and I nod.

"I just got here", Gabriel replied while I sit back on the chair, thinking of my decision and how to put it to him.

Gabriel isn't new to the fact that we are just married on paper so it won't be a big deal to talk about it in his presence.

"How was your night?"

"It was fine."

"Do you feel hungry?" He asks Jayden and Jayden shakes his head. "Isabella told us you haven't been eating well."

Jayden watches me but I can't figure out what he is thinking of me right now and I wish I can.

"Don't worry, I will eat when I am hungry", he says in a low tone.

Silence falls and he rests his head on the headboard with his eyes closed.

"Was Sabrina already pregnant the last time we met?" He asks out of the blue and Gabriel looks as shocked as I am.

"Yes", he clicks his tongue, not saying any more words.

Jayden opens his eyes. "Then why didn't you tell me? I should have congratulated her over the phone."

He shrugs nonchalantly. "Now you know."

"Don't be silly!" Jayden growls at him and Gabriel laughs.

"I didn't tell you on purpose. I know you don't like topics like that and I saw no reason why I should inform you when you will end up knowing once the belly starts to protrude. I can't tell you because you don't like the topic of babies and I would rather tell someone who would appreciate our efforts."

Gabriel is smiling but Jayden's face has turned into a scowl. Suddenly, he looks sad.

Well, I am actually reading more meaning to what Gabriel said. I would be hurt too if I was told the same thing. But it isn't Gabriel's fault. Jayden doesn't like the topic of babies so why should he be informed first?

"I'm sorry", Gabriel apologizes, realizing what he said had hurt his friend.

"No, it's nothing", Jayden shakes his head indifferently but I can see past the look on his face. Deep inside, he is hurt.

"I just don't want to bring back bad memories…"

"It's fine", Jayden close his eyes. It is obvious he doesn't want to talk about the memories, whether bad or good.

Something is definitely wrong somewhere and I need to find out. But before then, I have something to do.

To change the topic, I open my mouth and called. "Jayden."

He turns to me, his expression unreadable. "I'm sorry."

Silence ensues and I am beginning to think that his effort at ignoring me is still on when he says. "It's fine."

It doesn't sound genuine. It was the same one he used for his friend. He is still mad at me but I have found a solution to that. A solution that will put a stop to all of this and make his mother stop hating me.

"I'm truly sorry for being clumsy and for crossing the line."

"It's fine. Let's forget it already, please", he dismisses it with a wave of the hand.

If I had nothing else to say, I would have stopped talking but I am not done talking. I still have one more thing to say to him before leaving for home so his Mother won't meet me here.

I can't promise to reply to her this time. I am done playing the fool. If she says more than she ought to say, then I will tell her husband what she did.

I know I can't escape not meeting her ever again but for this morning, I want to avoid trouble.

If we meet later in the day or at night, I am going to let everyone know that she offered me a million dollars to leave Jayden but I didn't accept it.

If I was a gold digger, it wouldn't take anything to seize that opportunity, accept the money and leave New York for somewhere far away where no one would find me and I would be living a good life with my Grandma.

"Can you please help me go to the office today, Gabriel? I need you to get some things for me and ask Anna to come home later tonight after the close of the day."

"Are you going to be discharged today?" Gabriel asks him. I am surprised too because the doctor said he needs to be on bed rest for the whole week.

"Yes, I have lots of work to do", he replies and Gabriel shakes his head.

"No, you need to rest. When you are back to your feet, then you can continue from where you stopped", Gabriel tells him.

He shakes his head intermittently. "No, I can't."

"Jayden, I have something to tell you", I cut him off. If I wait any longer, I might not be able to say it.

They both stare at me and I swallow the lump of dread stuck in my throat before taking a loud gulp.

I can do this.

I should do this.

"What is it?" He asks impatiently with a frown on his face.

I gulp once more before answering. "I am leaving."

Silence creeps in for a while as I look from Jayden who looks confused to Gabriel who looks amused.

Did I say something confusing or amusing?

"What? Leaving to where?" Jayden questions.

"I am leaving you and this marriage. I'm sorry this can't continue. I don't want to cause you more pain and I don't want to cause your mother more tears. She hates me and I see no reason why I should be here pissing you off every minute when this isn't even real. I'm sorry but this is the solution I have come up with. If I hadn't talked about Helena, maybe you wouldn't be in bed now instead of being at work. I feel responsible for your situation so I am leaving. If I leave, you won't have any cause to remember your past or your failure or whatever it is troubling your heart."

His mouth is agape and Gabriel now looks shocked.

"I'm so sorry", I say as I stand up abruptly, determined to stick to my decision.

I walk to the door and turn the doorknob to go out.

"Isabella!" He calls loudly but I don't answer as I take the exit out, determined to leave just like I have said.

****

Do you want Isabella to leave? Is leaving the right thing to do at this period or not?

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