THE BILLIONAIRE FORBIDDEN HEIRESS

"Isabella, open this door." Alexander Laurent's voice sounded again. Isabella stood beside her bed, staring at the photograph on her phone. SHE WAS NEVER YOURS. Four words had destroyed everything she believed about her life. She quickly locked her phone and opened the door. Alexander stood outside in a dark dressing gown, his expression unusually tense. "What were you doing?" he demanded. "Sleeping." "Don't lie to me." Isabella frowned. "Father?" "Someone contacted my office tonight asking questions about your adoption." Her heart skipped. "What questions?" "Questions that have nothing to do with them." He entered without permission and examined her room. "Have you spoken to anyone about your biological mother recently?" Isabella's fingers tightened around her phone. "No." "Think carefully before you answer." "I haven't spoken to anyone." Alexander studied her face before approaching the door. "Good. Damien Blackwood will visit tomorrow. Whatever he tells you, don't believe him without consulting me." "Why?" "Because men like him never give anything away without expecting something in return." He paused. "And if he asks about your birth, tell me immediately." Isabella stared at him. "Why would he ask about that?" Alexander's expression hardened. "Stay away from matters you don't understand." He left, closing the door behind him. Isabella immediately retrieved her phone. ISABELLA: Who are you? What happened to my mother? A reply arrived. UNKNOWN NUMBER: Meet me at the old chapel behind the estate tomorrow at nine. Come alone. Before Isabella could respond, another message appeared. UNKNOWN NUMBER: Don't trust Damien Blackwood either. Her stomach tightened. Whoever was contacting her seemed to know everyone involved. But why? And what had happened twenty-two years ago? --- The following morning, Isabella entered the dining room. Victoria sat at the table, eating strawberries while scrolling through her phone. Alexander was reading the newspaper. "You're eating with us?" Victoria asked, looking up. "Is that a problem?" Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Someone has developed an attitude." "I haven't." "Then remember your place." Alexander lowered his newspaper. "Victoria, enough." Isabella nearly dropped her spoon. Her father had defended her? Victoria looked equally surprised. "But Father—" "I said enough." The room fell silent. Alexander folded his newspaper. "Damien Blackwood will arrive at ten." Victoria immediately brightened. "Today? Do you think he'll discuss the engagement?" "That depends on his intentions." Victoria smiled, smoothing her hair. Isabella lowered her gaze. "Isabella," Alexander continued, "you will remain upstairs when he arrives." "Why?" "Because I said so." She wanted to argue, but she knew how that would end. "Fine." She left the dining room, already planning how to reach the old chapel that evening. --- At ten o'clock, Damien Blackwood arrived. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit and carried a leather folder. Alexander welcomed him into his study. Once they were seated, Damien placed several documents on the desk. "I want to discuss Isabella." Alexander's expression changed. "What about her?" "Her adoption records." For a moment, Alexander said nothing. Then he forced a laugh. "I don't understand why you're interested in a private family matter." "Her name appears in a document connected to my grandfather's estate." Alexander's fingers tightened. "What document?" "Twenty-two years ago, my grandfather established a private trust. The beneficiary's identity was sealed. Recently, I discovered a connection between that trust and your family." "That's impossible." Damien slid a document across the desk. "Then explain why your signature appears on a hospital record connected to an infant whose adoption you claim was entirely ordinary." Alexander stared at the paper. His face lost its colour. "Where did you get this?" "That isn't important." "This conversation is over." Damien rose. "Then my lawyers will investigate." Alexander stood abruptly. "You don't understand what you're getting involved in." "Then explain it to me." Alexander looked towards the door. "You should leave Isabella alone." Damien's eyes narrowed. "Why?" "Because the truth about her birth will destroy everything." Damien gathered his documents. "Perhaps everything deserves to be destroyed." He walked out, leaving Alexander standing in the study, visibly shaken. --- Isabella was waiting in the upstairs corridor when Damien emerged. "Miss Laurent," he greeted her. "Mr. Blackwood." "You seem surprised to see me." "I was told to stay in my room." "Yet here you are." She glanced at the empty glass in her hand. "I wanted water." Damien looked at the glass. "Of course." Despite herself, Isabella almost smiled. Then his expression became serious. "Have you ever wondered why your family treats you differently?" Her smile vanished. "Why are you asking me that?" "Because I don't believe you've been told the truth about your past." Before she could respond, Alexander appeared. "Isabella! What are you doing here?" "Getting water." "Return to your room." Damien stepped forward. "She was speaking with me." "This is a private family matter." "Then perhaps you should stop treating your daughter like a prisoner in her own home." Isabella stared at him. Nobody spoke to Alexander Laurent that way. Nobody. Damien turned towards her. "I'd like to discuss a proposal with you. Tomorrow, ten o'clock, at my office." "What kind of proposal?" "One that could change your life." Alexander immediately interrupted. "Isabella has no interest in business arrangements." "Let her answer for herself." Isabella looked between them. Her father was frightened of something, and Damien seemed determined to uncover it. "I'll come," she said. Alexander's face darkened. Damien handed her his business card. As he passed her, he whispered, "Bring anything you know about your birth. Especially anything your father has told you to forget." Then he left. Isabella watched him descend the staircase. For the first time, she wondered whether Damien Blackwood was the only person who could help her escape the Laurent family's secrets. --- At eight thirty that evening, Isabella changed into a simple black dress and slipped out through the side entrance. The old chapel stood behind a row of neglected trees. Its white paint was peeling, and its wooden doors had been damaged by years of rain. She reached it five minutes before nine. The door stood slightly open. "Hello?" she called. A woman emerged from the shadows, clutching a brown envelope. "Isabella Laurent?" "Yes. Who are you?" The woman studied her face, and tears filled her eyes. "You look so much like your mother." Isabella's heart began to race. "You knew my mother?" The woman nodded. "Your biological mother was alive when you were taken from the hospital." Isabella stepped backwards. "No. My father told me she died after giving birth to me." "He lied." The woman opened the envelope and handed her several documents. Isabella examined the first page. A name appeared at the top. ELENA BLACKWOOD. Below it was a hospital reference number and a transfer record bearing Alexander Laurent's signature. Her hands began to shake. "Who was Elena Blackwood?" The woman looked towards the chapel doors. "Your mother." Isabella couldn't breathe. "Then why was I given to Alexander?" "Because someone wanted you hidden." "Who?" Before the woman could answer, headlights swept across the chapel windows. Her face went pale. "They've found us." A car door slammed outside. The woman grabbed Isabella's wrist. "Listen carefully. Your father didn't take you in out of kindness. He took you because—" The chapel doors flew open. Damien Blackwood stood in the entrance. His expression was cold, but his eyes blazed with anger. "Give me the documents," he ordered. Isabella clutched the envelope against her chest. "Why should I trust you?" "Because you have no idea what you're holding." The woman stepped between them. "She deserves to know the truth, Damien." He stared at her. "And you deserve to explain why you disappeared twenty-two years ago." Isabella looked from one to the other. "You know each other?" Neither answered. Damien finally turned towards her. "Your father has been lying to you. But so has this woman." "How do you know?" He took a slow breath. Then he delivered the words that shattered everything Isabella thought she understood. "Because the woman standing beside you is the reason your mother disappeared."