Isabella's POV

I watch his car drive away even before Sabrina could point that to me. Grandma and I were discussing in the sitting room when the doorbell rang and Safina isn't around to answer the door.

To be honest, I thought it was Jayden and I didn't want to answer the door until Grandma ordered me to.

I am sure she must have thought he was the one too.

But seeing him drive away now makes me feel disappointed. Even though the question of whether he is back in America or not has been answered.

"Look at you, pregnancy looks good on you", Sabrina comments, making me remember that she was a few months pregnant before I left America.

"Thank you. How is the baby?" I ask her as I step away from the door for her to come in. I wish she is here with the baby but now that she isn't, I will make sure to visit her and the baby very soon.

I really appreciate the fact that she is here to visit me this late in the night. It means a lot to me. And it makes me realize how much I have missed her.

After a last look at the path Jayden's car took, I close the door and follow her behind to see that Grandma has disappeared.

Now I am sure she thought it was Jayden who was at the door and she disappeared on purpose.

She was scolding me for running off instead of facing my fears. I knew she was going to talk about Jayden too or probably her wish for me to go back to the mansion and I was impatiently waiting for her to broach the topic so I can tell her a NO.

She wasn't done scolding me when the doorbell rang. I even thought she called me to apologize for attempting to slap me in Paris or for the unexpected packing and relocation back to America.

"How are you?" She asks after settling down. "Careful." She tells me as I sit beside her.

"Thank you", I smile lightly and settle down beside her. Our eyes meet and she smiles before leaning forward to pull me in a tight hug.

"I missed you, Isabella."

"Me too," I murmur, hugging her back.

"I was expecting you to show up for my baby's shower", she disengage from the hug. "I tried to reach you all to no avail. I really wish you were there for my baby's big day."

I smile in response. I don't know what to say because I am guilty. I didn't want to reach out.

"How is the baby? He?" I inquire.

She chuckles lightly. "It's a she. Her name is Isabella."

"What? Don't tell me you named your child after me", I find myself laughing genuinely in months.

Sabrina throws her head backward and laughs out too. This is when I know she is just pulling my legs.

"It isn't Isabella, is it?"

"It is", she insists stubbornly.

"It isn't." I persist.

"It is", she grins widely. "If it isn't, then what is it?"

"Probably Edna or Anna…"

"Nope. I wanted to name her Isabella but Gabriel wanted something different. Her real name is Sophia but the second name is Isabella."

"You can't be serious", I shake my head, laughing shortly. I can't believe she named her daughter my name. It's unbelievable.

We hold hands and stare at each other for a while smiling before embracing again. This time, I feel emotional. Everything comes rushing. All the tough and rough moments I have spent alone without the people who mean so much to me.

I was selfish.

I didn't care about what others would feel in my absence. I didn't give it a thought before going ahead with my plan.

It was an irrational decision and I believe now that I overreacted.

We pull away and laugh again for no reason. Then silence falls.

"How is Eunice?" I demand from her to cut the silence.

"She is fine and preparing for her wedding next month", she informs me and I can't hide my surprise.

"Wow, really?"

"Yes. Her boyfriend proposed right after you left and the wedding is here already. I'm happy you are here now and we will be able to go there together."

I nod eagerly. I almost thought Eunice and Jayden would hook up together since she was meant to be in my position. Now that she is getting married, she is out of the question.

Well, I'm happy for her. She is lucky indeed for not venturing into this as I did.

"Do you know the baby's gender?" I see her gazing at my belly, making me conscious of my big stomach.

"A boy", I grin, feeling proud.

"Wow, we should matchmake our babies, don't you think?"

I laugh heartily at the joke. Her baby girl should be over two or three months before my baby is here. I don't think she is serious.

"That's a joke", I confirm and she chuckles too.

"Well, it is but we don't know what the future holds. Has Jayden told you the name he wants for the baby or do you want to name him yourself?"

"I will do that. I plan to call him Aidan."

"That's a fine name, you know", she smiles, leaning backward on the chair. "It's high time you two sort yourselves out, you know? This rift between you two has been on for too long…"

"Did Jayden put you to this?" I interrupt her, remembering the letter I was reading before Grandma came calling.

I should read it till the end.

"No, of course not!" She says sharply with a deep frown on her face. "Why will you think of such a thing? Gabriel and I, Jayden, and your Grandma have been searching all over for you. He didn't even tell us he was going to Paris until tonight when he came to inform us that you are back. He didn't want me to come but I needed to because I want to know if this is true and not a prank. In fact, Gabriel should be here anytime from now. He just arrived from work when Jayden told us so I chose to come with Jayden while he takes a shower and comes to see you too."

I nod. I believe her. There is no reason for her to lie to me.

"You two should sort yourselves out. He loves you…"

"What?!" I exclaim, facing her squarely. "He told you that?"

"I know that Isabella", she grabs my two hands. "I saw it all in his eyes. He was crazy looking for you. Jayden left his company for six months for Gabriel to take care of just because he wanted to find you, thinking you are in Italy. What more explanation do you make of that, then? Will a man who doesn't love you go through all of them for nothing?"

"It is simply because he feels guilty, that's all."

"No," she says in disagreement.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

She falls silent.

Dropping her hands from mine, she looks away. "Believe it or not. He loves you!"

****

Hi, everyone!

How much are you enjoying a YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE?