Isabelle’s fingers trembled slightly as she dialed the mysterious caller’s number once more. She could feel her heart racing, a mix of anxiety and frustration coursing through her. When the call connected, she wasted no time in launching into her story.

“Hello?” she began, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. “I need to tell you what happened today. I ran into Kylian, and it turns out he’s Ryan’s triplet. Can you believe that?”

The voice on the other end remained calm and composed. “Isabelle, take a deep breath. It sounds like you’re worked up. Just calm down and explain.”

“Calm down?” Isabelle exclaimed, her patience wearing thin. “You want me to calm down after everything that’s happened? I can’t believe this. I just can’t.”

“Isabelle, I understand this is a shock,” the voice replied, a soothing undertone in their words. “But getting worked up won’t help right now. Take a moment to gather yourself.”

“I’ve had enough of these secrets!” Isabelle’s voice quivered with a mix of frustration and sadness. “I thought I could trust you, but you’ve been keeping things from me too. I can’t do this anymore.” With that, she abruptly hung up the call, her emotions too overwhelming to contain.

Feeling a surge of determination, Isabelle began to pack her belongings with a swift sense of purpose. She folded clothes, stuffed items into her suitcase, her mind racing as she prepared to take a life-altering step.

The journey back to her home country was a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. As she paid the Uber driver and stepped out, the grandeur of her family estate loomed before her. The familiar faces of the maids greeted her as she entered.

“Welcome back, Miss Isabelle,” one of them said, a warm smile on her face.

“Thank you,” Isabelle replied, trying to mask the storm of emotions within her. “Where are my parents?”

“They’re in the dining room, having dinner,” another maid replied.

Isabelle nodded, her heart pounding as she made her way to the dining room. Her father, Mr. Fletcher, looked up and a smile lit up his face as he saw her. “Isabelle! You’re back.”

She embraced her father tightly, seeking a moment of comfort before turning her gaze to her mother. Emilia, her mother, smiled in greeting. The facade of normalcy infuriated Isabelle. Without a second thought, she delivered a resounding slap across Emilia’s face, the sound echoing in the room.

The dining room fell into stunned silence. Mr. Fletcher, shock evident on his face, exclaimed, “Isabelle, what in the world?”

Tears welled up in Isabelle’s eyes as she turned to face her father. “Dad, I can’t do this anymore. She’s not who you think she is. She’s a monster.”

Emilia held a hand to her cheek, her expression a mix of shock and hurt. “Isabelle, what is the meaning of this?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Isabelle’s voice quivered with a mix of anger and sadness. “You’re not my mother. I can’t forgive you for what you’ve done.”

Mr. Fletcher’s voice was a mix of concern and confusion. “Isabelle, please, explain what’s going on.”

Isabelle shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. “I can’t stay here another minute. The only family I have is you, Dad. I came back just to do this – to tell her that I can never forgive her.” With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the dining room, leaving behind a room full of bewildered and shocked faces.

As Mr. Fletcher attempted to get an explanation from his wife, Emilia, Isabelle let out a heavy sigh and walked away. She grabbed her suitcase, which symbolized her decision to sever ties with the woman she once called her mother, and left her father’s mansion without looking back. She had no intention of spending another night with the woman she now saw as a murderer masquerading as a parent.