Isabella's Point of View
The knocking gets louder. Harder. Like fists pounding on wood.
"Isabella Morgan, open the door. We have papers for you."
My hands were shaking when I looked through the keyhole. Three figures dressed in dark clothing standing outside in the corridor.
One holds a thick folder. Legal papers. Custody papers.
They found us already.
"Mommy?"Oliver's sleepy voice comes from his bedroom. "What is that noise?"
"Stay in bed, baby. It is just someone at the wrong door."
But the knocking does not stop.
"Miss Morgan, we know you are in there. Please open the door or we will have to leave these papers with your neighbor."
Mrs. Chen. They will wake up Mrs. Chen and ask her questions. She will worry about us. She does not need this trouble.
I open the door but leave the chain attached.I can see a man's visage through the opening.
"What do you desire?"
"Isabella Morgan?"
"Yes."
"We have papers from the family court. Custody petition filed by Ethan Blackwell."
My stomach drops to the floor. He really did it. He really filed papers to take Oliver away from me."Slide them under the door."
"I need to hand them to you personally, ma'am."
I have no choice. I take off the chain and open the door just enough to grab the papers. The man tries to look past me into the apartment.
"Is the child here?"
"That is none of your business."
"Actually, it is. Mr. Blackwell has requested immediate visitation rights."
"At eleven o'clock at night?"I don't believe that."
I shut the door forcefully and secure it
My legs feel weak. I slide down the door until I sit on the floor. The papers feel heavy in my hands.
"Petition for Joint Custody"it says in big black letters. "Ethan Blackwell vs. Isabella Morgan."
Versus. It feels as if we are foes rather than two individuals who once cared for one another
I cannot read all the legal words. But I see the important parts. Ethan wants Oliver half the time. Weekends. Holidays. Summer vacation.
Half of my son's life.
The phone rings. I know it is Ethan before I answer.
"Did you get the papers?"
"You are sick. Sending men to my home at night when Oliver is sleeping."
"I told them to wait until tomorrow but my lawyer said it was better to serve you right away."
"Better for who? Not for Oliver."
"Isabella, I do not want to fight you. I want us to work together."
"Then drop the custody case."
"I cannot do that."
I hung up on him.
Oliver's home door opens. And he steps out in his pajamas, massaging his eyes.
"Mommy, I'm hearing voices. Are we in trouble?"
I quickly hide the papers behind my back. "No, baby. Everything is fine."
"Then why are you sitting on the floor?"
Smart boy. Too smart sometimes.
"I just felt like sitting here. Come give me a hug."
Oliver runs to me and sits in my lap. He feels warm and sleepy. Safe. For now.
"Mommy, please can I sleep in your bed tonight?"
"Of cos, sweetheart."
We head to my room. Oliver snuggles beside me beneath the blankets
. He falls asleep fast. But I stare at the ceiling all night thinking about the papers. About court dates. About losing my son.
At six in the morning, my phone rings. Not Ethan this time. A number I do not know.
"Hello?"
"Is this Isabella Morgan?"
"Yes."
"This is Janet Phillips from Phillips Marketing Agency. I have a business offer for you."
"I am sorry, what?"
"We need someone to handle a very large account. The client specifically asked for you. Are you available for a meeting today?"
Am
I rise up in bed. Oliver remains asleep beside me. "Who is the customer?"
"Blackwell Enterprises."
My blood turns to ice. "Blackwell Enterprises?"
"Yes. They need a complete marketing campaign for their new hotel chain. The contract is worth two hundred thousand dollars."
Two hundred thousand dollars. More money than I make in three years.
"I... I need to think about it."
"Miss Morgan, I do not think you understand. This is a huge opportunity. Blackwell Enterprises only works with the best agencies. They chose us because of you."
Because of me. Or because Ethan planned this.
"What exactly would I have to do?"
"Work directly with their CEO. Daily meetings. The campaign needs to be finished in six weeks."
Daily meetings with Ethan. Six weeks of seeing him every day. Six weeks of him trying to get close to Oliver.
"I cannot do it."
"Miss Morgan, please reconsider. The client was very clear that they wanted you specifically. If you say no, we might lose the contract entirely."
I think about Oliver's daycare bills. About the lawyer I need to hire. About the rent that is due next week.
Two hundred thousand dollars would solve all my problems. But it would create bigger ones.
"I need to call you back."
"Miss Morgan, I need an answer today. The client wants to start immediately."
I hang up and look at Oliver sleeping peacefully.His small face appears very innocent. He is unaware that his entire life is about to transform
I get up and make coffee. The custody papers sit on the kitchen counter like a bad dream. I read them again. Court date in two weeks. Temporary visitation starting immediately.
Ethan can see Oliver this weekend if he wants to.The phone rings again. Janet Phillips.
"Miss Morgan, have you decided?"
"If I take this job, what are the terms?"
"Full payment upon completion. But you would need to work from the Blackwell building. The CEO insists on close supervision."
Of course he does. Ethan wants me where he can watch me. Where he can make sure I do not run away with Oliver.
"I requested for more time to reflect."
"I'm sorry, but i can give you more time "
The client needs an answer in the next one hour or they get another person."
One hour. Sixty minutes to determine whether to enter Ethan's snare or forfeit the money I urgently require.
Once she finishes the call, I remain at the kitchen table, gazing at the bills stacked beside the custody documents
Daycare. Rent. Groceries. Car payment. The numbers add up to more money than I have.
Oliver wakes up and comes to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mommy."
"Good morning, baby. Are you hungry?"
"Yes. Can we have cereal with the little marshmallows?"
"We are out of that cereal."
"The regular cereal then?"
I opened the cabinet. One box of plain cereal. Enough for maybe three more bowls.
"How about toast instead?"
"Okay. With jelly?"
I check the refrigerator. No jelly. Just a little of some peanut butter.
" Some Peanut butter toast."
"Yay! I do love peanut butter."
Oliver is happy with so little. He does not know we are almost out of food. He does not know I had to choose between buying groceries and paying for his daycare this month.
He deserves better than this.
I look at the custody papers again.Ethan possesses more money than he knows how to manage
He could give Oliver everything. Private school. Nice clothes. Toys. A big house with a yard.
But money is not everything. Oliver needs love more than toys.
My phone rings. Janet Phillips again.
"Miss Morgan, I need your answer now."
I see Oliver eating his toast with peanut butter. He pulls silly expressions and laughs at me. He feels very joyful
So perfect.
I cannot lose him to Ethan. But I need money to fight for him.
"I will take the job."
"Excellent. Can you start today?"
"Today?"
"The client is very eager to begin. He wants to meet with you at ten this morning."
I look at the clock. Eight thirty. Not enough time to find a babysitter for Oliver.
"I need to arrange childcare first."
"Of course. The meeting is at Blackwell Tower. Fiftieth floor. Ask for Mr. Blackwell directly."
Mr. Blackwell. Like I do not know exactly who he is.
After I hang up, I call Mrs. Chen.
"Can you watch Oliver today? Something came up with work."
"Of course, dear. But Isabella, you look very stressed lately. Are you sure everything is okay?"
"Just some changes at work. Nothing to worry about."
After Oliver toast he rushes to put on his clothes for daycare. He returns with his shirt on backward and his shoe not properly wears
"Do I look handsome, Mom?"
"Very handsome. But let me fix your shirt."
I help him get dressed properly.I then lower myself to his height.
"Oliver, there's something I must share with you." "Mommy may need to work varying hours for some time.
"Different how?"
"I might be gone longer during the day. But Mrs. Chen will pick you up from daycare."
"Will you still be home for dinner?"
"I will try, baby."
"And bedtime stories?"
"Always. I promise."
Oliver hugs me tight. "I don't enjoy it when you leave for too long."
"I understand." "Yet occasionally, moms need to exert more effort to look after their young sons."
"Is it due to our need for money?"
At times, I overlook just how intelligent he is.
"A little bit. But do not worry about that. That is mommy's job to worry about money."
"I'm going to make a lot of money and take good care of you by the time I grow up."
My heart breaks and fills with love at the same time. "You are the greatest boy in the entire world."
I drop Oliver at daycare and drive to Blackwell Tower. The structure soars towards the heavens resembling a colossal glass peak. I used to visit this place when Ethan and I were married
Back when I thought this would be my world forever.
I leave my car in the guest parking area and ride the elevator to the fiftieth level. My palms sweat as the elevator reads higher.
The elevator doors glide open to an office with marble floors where a woman with fair hair is sitting at a big desk.
Veronica.
She glances up as I enter. Her smile is keen like shattered glass.
"Indeed, indeed." "Check out who returned begging."
"I am present for a meeting regarding business."
"Indeed, I am aware." I set it up."Veronica stands and walks around the desk. "Did you really think Ethan would leave you alone? He always gets what he wants."
"Where is he?"
"In his office. Waiting for you."She points to a big door with gold letters that say "Ethan Blackwell, CEO."
I walk toward the door. Veronica calls after me.
"Isabella, sweetie, just so you know... this job comes with strings attached. Lots of strings."
I stop walking but do not turn around.
"What kind of strings?"
"The kind that ties you to Ethan forever. The kind that makes sure you never run away again."
I turn the door handle and walk into Ethan's office. He sat behind a big desk reading paper and immediately he saw me, he stood up.
"Isabella. Thank you for coming."
"Let this one thing get straight to you that I am here for the money. Nothing else."
"Of course. Just busine
ss."
But his eyes say something different. His eyes say he planned this perfectly.
"So what is this job really about, Ethan?"
He smiles. "Greetings to your new confinement, Isabella." I wish you a pleasant visit.