Chapter 27

Only a week remained until Isabella's scheduled delivery, and she increasingly noticed the tension on her friend Paloma's face. Even when asked, Paloma insisted that everything was fine, just some casual problems.
— If you want, you can go back to your life, Paloma. There’s only a week left before the baby arrives, and I can manage during this time. — Isa said to Paloma, noticing her worried look.
Paloma had not yet been able to carry out Griselda's instructions because she loved her friend deeply and didn't want to hurt her. However, her brother’s life and entire career were at risk, and she couldn’t hesitate now. Messages from Griselda kept flooding her phone, with demands that Paloma needed to act. She began weighing the pros and cons of her life and placed Isabella’s life on the balance.
Isabella had always had everything at home, the best of everything. But being adopted made her feel excluded from the family, so she chose to distance herself from those who loved her most, her father, and ended up living on the streets and becoming a prostitute. Paloma, on the other hand, always wanted a new pair of sneakers for school, borrowed notebook paper because she never had a decent notebook, while her parents spent all their money on alcohol, neglecting their children who struggled for a normal life.
Paloma decided to feed the jealousy that had recently crossed her mind and use it to execute Griselda’s plan to separate Aléssio from Isabella. Consumed by intense envy and jealousy, she was determined to drive a wedge between Isabella and Aléssio. Aware of the emotional vulnerability of the pregnant woman, she devised a plan to sow discord in the seemingly solid relationship.
On a sunny afternoon, Paloma suggested that Isabella review the old messages on Aléssio's phone. Although she knew the messages were harmless, the caretaker reluctantly agreed. As they explored the conversations, Paloma pointed to a text exchange that, out of context, could be interpreted misleadingly.
— Look, Isa. It seems like Aléssio is hiding something from you. This message here seems pretty suspicious, don’t you think? — Paloma said, pointing to the phone with a deceitful smile.
Isabella, wide-eyed, read the message out of context, her confidence shaken. Her heart raced, and the shadow of doubt settled in.
— I can’t believe it… Would Alessio have done that? — murmured Isabella, tears in her eyes.
— I think you should confront him. Maybe he has an explanation. But you deserve the truth, Isa. — Paloma, manipulating the situation, offered a friendly shoulder.
Driven by pain and uncertainty, Isabella confronted Alessio, who, perplexed, tried to explain what really happened. However, the seed of doubt planted by Paloma quickly grew, and Isabella, blinded by anger and hurt, decided to take a break from Alessio, making him sleep in the living room.
Paloma watched the events unfold with a satisfied smile. Her plan was working, and she imagined that now she would have Isabella for herself and her plan would go perfectly.
It was late at night, and Alessio couldn’t sleep. He went to the bedroom to check if Isabella was okay. His girl was sleeping like a baby. So, he decided to sit on the lounge chair on the apartment balcony, gazing at the sea on the horizon. Without Alessio noticing, Paloma stepped out onto the balcony, wearing lingerie and a robe that barely covered her body.
— May I? — she pointed to the other lounge chair.
— Sure. — Alessio never suspected that this was part of a plan that could put his relationship at risk.
Paloma, with a suggestive smile, settled into the lounge chair next to Alessio. The moonlight highlighted her features, revealing the seductive aura she exuded.
— You shouldn’t be alone out here. You might get lost in your thoughts — Paloma hinted, subtly running her hand along Alessio’s arm.
Alessio, captivated by the night’s atmosphere and Paloma’s sensuality, didn’t notice the hidden intentions behind that casual encounter.
— Sometimes, solitude can be good. It helps to clear the mind — replied Alessio, enjoying the sea breeze and the view.
Paloma, determined to push her plan forward, moved closer to Alessio, letting a look full of desire show as she intentionally let the sleeve of her robe slip, revealing her alluring feminine curves.
— You know life is short, Alessio. We shouldn’t deny ourselves intense and passionate moments.
Alessio, getting lost in Paloma’s seduction, felt an unusual tension in the air. The barriers protecting his relationship seemed fragile at that moment.
— I… I don’t know, Paloma. Isabella trusts you, and I don’t want to do anything that could hurt her.
Paloma, hiding her disappointment, gave a charming smile.
— You’re a loyal man, Alessio. That’s admirable. But life is full of opportunities we shouldn’t let slip away.
Paloma let the rest of her robe fall and strategically sat on Alessio’s lap, one leg on each side. Alessio tried to stand up, but Paloma held his arms, bringing the most sensual part of her body just inches from his face. Paloma’s scent was like a drug to Alessio’s senses, causing his eyes to close involuntarily.
Alessio, struggling with his conflicting emotions, realized he needed to pull away before something irreversible happened. However, the damage was already done, and the shadows of desire began to loom over the once stable relationship between him and Isabella. Fate, once again, would reveal the surprising consequences of this devious trap.
— What does this mean, Alessio? — Isabella asked, now standing at the balcony door. — You snake, is this how you take care of your friend? — Isabella now spoke, clearly frustrated.
— Nothing happened, love! — Alessio pleaded for Isabella’s already shaken trust.
— I saw what 'nothing' means to you. — Isa grabbed the first object in front of her and threw it at the couple caught in a compromising situation. — Get out of here, you shameless woman! I knew you’d make your move, I was just waiting for the right moment. And you, Alessio. Are you that desperate? Why don’t you find a prostitute if you’re so needy, but you’re going to betray me with my EX-FRIEND right in front of me? — Isabella emphasized that Paloma was now her ex-friend, glaring at her.
— I would never betray you, my queen.
— Leave me alone. — Isa quickly returned to the bedroom, opening the wardrobe and throwing her clothes onto the bed, barely noticing that she was bleeding.
— Love! You’re bleeding. — Alessio exclaimed with concern. — We need to go to the hospital right now.
Isabella looked down at her legs and saw all the blood, unable to hide her shock. Her vision darkened, her legs wobbled, and her body lost control.
That night was far from over, and the atmosphere of ruin and destruction had already settled in the apartment and between the once loving couple. Now, all that was left was to wait for the baby to be born and hope that the relationship could be rebuilt.