Isla ate her meal in silence, her pale face showing exhaustion and emotional numbness. Across from her, her mother Diana watched with deep concern and guilt, reflecting on the pain Isla had endured, much of it caused by Anna’s relentless torment. Diana had remained silent for years, hoping to protect her daughter, but now she was determined to stand up and fight for Isla’s sake.
Isla sensed her mother’s brewing anger and chose to calmly reveal the truth. She explained that despite Anna’s attempts to manipulate Gabriel into divorcing her and marrying Delphine, Gabriel had refused to go along with the plan, affirming his commitment to Isla. This brought Diana relief, though she remained worried about Isla losing her job to Delphine. Isla reassured her that the job loss was a strategic move by her grandfather, which she accepted willingly, as she had been considering stepping away from that role to focus on her own business.
Isla shared that she was working on launching her own company in Teriporto, with Betsy managing it for her. She revealed her ambitious plan to find a rare pink diamond to recreate a lost family pendant—an endeavor symbolizing both her heritage and her future success. This news brought a genuine smile to both Isla and Diana, marking a hopeful turning point from the earlier tension.
Diana’s pride swelled as she recognized the strength and purpose Isla had developed. Despite marrying into a wealthy family, Isla was determined to build something on her own. Isla also mentioned that her grandfather had gifted her a penthouse at Wyndham Skyline Avenue, further underscoring her newfound confidence and independence.
In that moment, Diana saw her daughter not as the broken girl she once knew, but as a woman who had found her footing and knew exactly what she wanted. The chapter closed with a sense of quiet determination and hope for Isla’s future.
Isla ate her Chinese rice in near silence, her gaze fixed intently on the plate before her as if the rest of the world had faded into insignificance. Her complexion was pale, her features drained of any hint of emotion, and exhaustion clung to her like a heavy cloak. She didn’t react at all when the maids moved quietly around the dining room, placing more food on the table. In that moment, nothing else mattered except each slow, deliberate bite she took, one after another, swallowed with quiet resolve.
Across from her, Diana sat watching her daughter with a mixture of concern and heartache. Every small movement Isla made—the way her spoon lifted, the slight pause before chewing—seemed to pull painfully at Diana’s heartstrings. The anguish written plainly on Isla’s face was a reflection of a pain Diana herself had unintentionally helped to create.
A deep, gnawing guilt burned within Diana’s chest. For years, she had silently witnessed Anna’s relentless torment of Isla without uttering a word. Her silence wasn’t born from weakness, but from a desperate hope to protect her daughter in the best way she knew how.
No more. Not this time.
This time, Diana vowed silently, she would stand up and fight for Isla. Even if it meant tearing down the entire Wyndham family, she was ready to do it. Anna would be held accountable for every tear Isla had shed, every humiliation endured, every restless night filled with worry.
But Isla, perceptive as ever, could read the storm brewing in her mother’s mind. She sensed that if Diana didn’t calm herself, she might escalate the situation unnecessarily, creating tensions that could fracture the fragile relationship between the two families. So Isla chose to speak up, to share the truth—but in a way her mother could calmly accept.
“Mama,” Isla’s voice broke the heavy silence that had settled over the room. “I know you’ve seen the news. You’ve probably heard every word they said about me. But I want you to know—it’s all lies.”
Her tone was steady, almost serene. She lifted another spoonful of rice, chewed slowly, and swallowed before continuing.
“You already know how far Anna will go to make my life miserable. But this time, Gabriel isn’t on her side.”
Diana frowned, confusion knitting her brows together. “What do you mean?”
She was well aware of Anna’s close relationship with Alfred’s grandchildren, especially Gabriel. For years, Anna had expertly wrapped him around her finger, manipulating situations to her advantage. That was how she maintained control over the household.
Isla leaned back slightly, releasing a soft sigh. “Anna wanted Gabriel to divorce me. She even announced our divorce publicly and told him to marry Delphine instead.”
Diana’s eyes widened in shock. “What?” she almost shouted, unable to believe what she had heard.
“But Gabriel stood firm, Mama. He refused to follow her plan. He made it clear to everyone that I am his wife, and that he will never divorce me. So don’t worry,” Isla said softly, “my marriage is still intact.”
Diana closed her eyes and breathed out deeply, relief washing over her in a shaky breath. For a moment, she sat quietly, silently thanking God, while Isla returned to her meal.
“That’s a relief,” Diana murmured. “But what about your job? Why is Delphine taking your position?”
Isla slowly set down her spoon and straightened her posture. “That’s another move by grandfather,” she explained calmly. “I know him too well, Mama. He always has a plan. If he believes Delphine deserves that office, there’s a reason behind it. I trust his judgment.”
Still, Diana’s expression betrayed her lingering doubts. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Isla’s gentle voice stopped her.
“What?” Diana gasped again, stunned and barely able to believe it.
Isla simply smiled, a quiet confidence glowing in her eyes.
As Diana looked at her daughter, three thoughts crossed her mind. This was no longer the broken girl she once knew. This was a woman who had found her footing—a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and how to claim it.
The chapter closes on a note of quiet resilience and renewed hope, as Isla’s calm determination contrasts with the storm of emotions swirling around her family. Through her steady voice and measured actions, Isla not only reassures her mother but also reveals a deeper strength that has been quietly growing despite the adversities she has faced. Diana’s evolving perspective highlights a powerful theme of redemption and self-realization, as she begins to see her daughter not as a victim but as a woman forging her own path with grace and courage.
This moment of understanding between mother and daughter underscores the enduring bonds of family, even amid conflict and past mistakes. Isla’s ambitions and the symbolic significance of the pink diamond pendant represent not just a business venture, but a reclamation of identity and hope for the future. As Diana embraces this new chapter in Isla’s life, the story gently affirms that true strength often lies in the ability to rise above pain and to build something meaningful on one’s own terms.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the shifting dynamics within the Wyndham family, as Isla’s newfound confidence and independence begin to challenge long-standing alliances and power structures. With Alfred’s unexpected support and Gabriel’s unwavering loyalty, tensions are bound to escalate, especially as Anna’s schemes face unforeseen resistance. Readers can anticipate a delicate dance of confrontation and strategy, where loyalties will be tested and hidden motives may surface.
Emotionally, the coming chapter is likely to explore the evolving relationship between Isla and Diana, as they navigate the fine line between protection and empowerment. Isla’s quiet determination to build her own legacy will inspire both hope and apprehension, hinting at the personal sacrifices she may have to make. Meanwhile, the promise of the rare pink diamond and the symbolic significance it holds adds an intriguing layer of mystery and ambition that could redefine Isla’s future in unexpected ways.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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