They Were Lovers Behind My Back

Chapter 4

"There won't be a wedding."

I straightened, my face drained of color.

"Alaric, we're breaking up."

I packed as fast as I could and called a cab to take me back to my hometown.

Cosima cried and begged me to stay.

"Isadora, I never meant to..."

I acted as though I couldn't hear her.

Alaric wrapped an arm around her shoulders and carefully wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"It's all right. Once she calms down, she'll come back and make up with us."

He had no idea I was never coming back.

When I got home, I didn't know how to explain it to my mother. I just told her to pack.

The overseas assignment allowed me to bring one family member. I'd decided to take her with me.

"Isadora, what's wrong?"

My mother immediately noticed my eyes were red from crying.

"Nothing serious," I said, trying to sound casual. "We just broke up."

She looked taken aback but didn't press me.

I took her to the office to complete the paperwork for my assignment.

As soon as we arrived, I saw a middle-aged woman clutching the receptionist's arm and loudly demanding to see someone.

"I'm looking for Isadora Fenwick! That shameless woman is trying to steal my daughter's boyfriend!"

I recognized her. She was Cosima's mother, Odette Henshaw.

The entire office went quiet.

I stood rooted to the spot, my chest tightening so painfully that I could barely breathe.

"What are you talking about?"

My mother was the first to step forward and confront her.

"My daughter and her boyfriend have known each other for 5 years. They've been together since graduate school. How could she be the other woman?"

Cosima's mother sneered.

"I flew to Veybridge to see Alaric myself. He told me he'd marry my daughter once he graduated. Isadora, my daughter thought you were her friend. Is this how you repay her? By stabbing her in the back?"

I was shaking with anger.

"Mrs. Henshaw, what proof do you have? You realize this is slander, don't you?"

She planted her hands on her hips and fired back without hesitation.

"I haven't even exposed all your dirty little secrets, and you're already threatening to sue me for slander? You're the one in the wrong, and you have the nerve to accuse me!"

She jabbed a finger toward my mother's nose.

"Like mother, like daughter. I bet you're a homewrecker too, you old hag!"

My mother's face flushed a deep red. Then she collapsed.

"Mom!"

I knew her high blood pressure had spiked again and immediately reached into my bag for her medication.

Cosima's mother kicked the bag more than 30 feet away.

"You still think you've been wronged? Call Alaric right now. Let's hear him tell us who's stealing whose boyfriend."

My mother lay in my arms, too distressed to speak.

I had no time to defend myself. I pulled out my phone and called an ambulance.

"Go on, call him. Or are you too scared?" Cosima's mother laughed. "You all see this, don't you? She knows she's guilty! Do you really want to work with someone like her?"

Whispers broke out across the office.

I didn't know what else to do. I took out my phone again and called Alaric with trembling hands.

Before I could say a word, Alaric launched into a torrent of accusations. "So you've finally decided to apologize? Cosima was so upset yesterday that she ended up in the hospital. Isadora, I never knew you could be so cruel. I've been wrong about you all these years. You have 2 hours to get to the hospital and apologize to her."

I tried to say something, but he'd already hung up.

Cosima's mother burst out laughing. "You all heard that, didn't you? It's obvious who the homewrecker is!"

My mother heard her. Then she lost consciousness in my arms.

(End of Isadora's POV)

Third-Person POV:

"Why isn't she here yet?"

Alaric checked his watch. It had been 2 hours, and Isadora was still nowhere to be seen.

The only person who arrived was Cosima's mother.

She came straight in and wrapped her arms around Cosima.

"My poor girl. You've been through so much. Don't worry. I've taught Isadora a lesson she'll never forget. She won't dare hurt you again."

Alaric stared at her, stunned.

"Mrs. Henshaw, what are you talking about? What did you do to Isadora?"