EPISODE 3
1028 Words
THE END OF A DREAM.
“What are you up to, Helene?” David snapped at Helene.
And just then, an impeccably dressed-looking man walked into the house.
“Who is he?” David snapped.
“I am Smith, Smith Jenkins.” The man answered, his voice with a thick accent.
''What are you doing here?", David asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
Mr. Jenkins spoke somberly. ''David, I'm afraid I have some bad news. Our investigation turned up some...suspicious or would I call it unsettling information about Isabella.''
David looked concerned. ''What are you talking about? What's going on?''
Mr. Jenkins appeared to be hesitant. ''It appears Isabella's mother, Theresa, was involved in some...questionable activities before her disappearance. And Isabella's been keeping it a secret. That is why she has been acting weird anytime her mother’s death is brought up.''
Helene's lips curled up into a sneer, smirking. ''Ah, finally. The truth comes out. The truth finally comes to life.''
David looked stunned. ''Activities... What kind of activities?''
Mr. Jenkins spoke, but reluctantly. “It seems Theresa was involved in medical fraud, David. And Isabella's been trying to cover it up. She has been acting weird and this has attracted our attention...and we ...did our research and found it... Theresa owed quite the sum...and Isabella is trying to hide that”.
David looked devastated. ''No... now, this can't be true. This cannot be true...it cannot be happening''.
Helene smirked triumphantly. ''You see, David? I told you she was in trouble. Always trying to be the baby ...she is not! She is not''.
David looked broke, ''What does this mean for Isabella? What would this do to her?''.
Mr. Jenkins smiles, his expression sympathetic. "I'm afraid she'll have to drop out of medical school, David. Her mother's actions have put her future at risk. And the fact that she is trying to hide this from the world...could even prove to be more hazardous for you”.
The silence in the room was defining. Helene watched and listened to everything, a smirk on her face.
David spoke, brokenly. “No, no, no... This can't be happening. Isabella's worked so hard for her dreams..."
Helene cut him short, her hiss coming cruelly. “Dreams? Ha! She's a disgrace, just like her mother. You should be ashamed of her, David. Imagine, I had felt Theresa was a saint...not knowing she was a two-faced B I T C H, a fraud and nothing more”.
Mr. Jenkins spoke but in a calm way. “Helene, please. This is a difficult time for everyone."
David felt his anger rising. “Difficult time? Do you think this is a difficult time? You have no idea what this means for Isabella's future! She has worked so hard for everything! She has done everything and this... this is what is happening? You have no idea what she has been through.”
Helene's lips curled up into a smirk. “Oh, I think I do, David. And I think it's time you faced the truth about your precious daughter. She is nothing but a criminal accomplice.”
David's chest heaved up and down as he was fuming. "Get out, Helene. Just get out of my sight before I lose my temper completely! Get out!”
Helene burst into a cold mirthless laugh. “Oh, David. You're so predictable. I'll leave but know this: Isabella's not the innocent little girl you think she is. She is an evil genius, and she has to pay.”
Helene exited the room, leaving David and Mr. Jenkins alone, and the defining silence took hold of the room again.”
Mr. Jenkins was sympathetic and looked at David softly. “David, I know this is hard, but we need to discuss the next steps...for Isabella's sake."
David looked defeated. Next steps? What next steps? Her future's been ruined. Thanks to her mother...and Helene's cruelty."
David's face contorted in rage; his eyes bloodshot from the news. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and his head in his hands. His shoulders shook as he sobbed, his body trembling as the weight of his daughter's shattered dreams rested heavily on his shoulders.
Mr. Jenkins shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes avoiding David... He cleared his throat; his voice was low and gentle. "David, we need to discuss the university's decision. They're willing to offer her a chance to appeal, but—"
David's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with rage. “Appeal? How can she appeal? Her mother's crimes have ruined her future!"
He slammed his fist on the coffee table, making Mr. Jenkins almost jumped out of his skin. The detective's eyes widened, his face pale. "David, please—"
David's voice cracked, his words barely above a whisper. "Please? Please what? Please fix it? Please make it go away? You can't, Jenkins. No one can."
He rose from the couch, his movements quick and clumsy. He paced around the room, his eyes wide, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Mr. Jenkins watched his expression, a mix of pity and helplessness.
David's pacing continued, his body shaking with rage. Meanwhile, Isabella's presence entered the room, her frail frame shaking, her eyes filled with tears. She had been standing in the doorway, eavesdropping, listening to the devastating news.
Her face etched in pain, her lips quivering, as she looked at her father's broken state. She took a small step forward, her voice barely audible. "D-Daddy?"
David's pacing paused, his eyes locking onto his daughter's worried face. He rushed to her side, embracing her tightly, as if holding her close to protect her from the evil of the world.
Isabella's body shook as she sobbed, her tears soaking into David's shirt as she held on to him. Her small hands clenched his sleeves, her fingers digging deep as if trying to steel herself to the only safety left in her world.
Mr. Jenkins watched, his eyes filled with compassion, as the father-daughter duo stood clinging to each other.
If only they knew this was the beginning of their woes... More was to come ... Can Isabella take it?
- Writer
