He Chose My Stepsister, So I Chose His Brother

Isabella’s POV

Alexander picked almost immediately. “Bella,” he drawled coldly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

A chill ran down my spine at the intensity in that voice, and I tightened my grip on the phone slightly. “I want to ruin Marcus, and I need your help.”

There was a pause, then he released a low, dark chuckle. “Finally. I thought you would never ask.”

Alexander didn’t waste time. “Tell me everything.”

I spilled the truth, from Marcus’s betrayal, to Bianca moving in, to his cruel threats.

He listened silently, and when I was done, he asked. “When do you want him to fall?” he asked.

“Yesterday.” I replied seriously.

He laughed. “Perfect. Marcus won’t know what hit him.”

Hope rose up within me for the first time since the funeral.

“We’ll keep in touch, and I’ll let you know when things are in order,” Alexander promised, then he paused.

“But I have one condition.” He said.

My heart pounded in my chest. I was already dreading whatever it was. “What is it?” I asked.

“Marry me,” he replied

My heart skipped a beat.

~

I didn’t sleep that night. Alexander’s proposal echoed in my head over and over. He had asked me to think about it, and get back with a response. He swore that immediately I gave him a response, he would come for me. I wasn’t ready to answer him, because I was so confused.

Alexander was offering protection from Marcus, and lots of power, but what was the cost?

And then, this morning, suddenly everything changed.

My hands shook as I stared at the pregnancy report before me. It was positive.

I was pregnant.

I laughed bitterly as tears welled up in my eyes. I had given up hope a long time ago, and I had accepted the insults thrown to me—that I was barren, useless, unworthy.

And now, I was pregnant. And it was too late because Marcus had already cheated on me and had shown me who he really was.

My heart pounded as I clutched the report tighter.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Alexander: “Everything is set. You have three days to decide.”

My heart raced as I stared at the message. I couldn't bring a child into a callous world of lies, betrayal and bitterness. It would be cruel of me.

Tears blurred my vision as I shakily picked up my phone. My fingers trembled as I dialed the number of the hospital.

The line clicked, and a calm voice answered, “Good afternoon, Preston Hospital. How may I assist you?”

“I... I need to schedule an abortion,” I said, my voice shook as I spoke.

There was a pause, then the voice replied calmly, “Can you make it to the clinic tomorrow?”

My heart clenched. The sooner the better.

“Yes, I can.” I whispered, my voice broke as the tears ran down my face.

As I hung up, a cold numbness settled within me. I was going to get rid of a part of myself, a part that I had prayed and begged for.

My mind flashed back to the accident that had rendered me barren six years ago.

Marcus had been upset about a business deal that didn't go well.

He was drunk, and he insisted on driving, no matter how much I begged him.

I remembered the way the second car had come out of nowhere. The screeching tires. The loud crash, lots of blood, and then darkness.

I woke up two days later in a hospital bed in severe pain to receive the news that the damage from the accident was too much, so I wouldn't be able to conceive again.

I cried for days until my throat and eyes hurt. Through it all, Marcus had been there, stroking my hair, kissing my forehead, whispering, “I’m so sorry, baby. I swear, I’ll make this right. I’ll never leave you.”

He had held me like I was a fragile gem, like I was the most precious thing in his world.

And I had believed him, I had forgiven him, because love made me stupid.

A bitter smile crossed my lips. Now, I was paying the price.

“Well, well. Look who it is!” an annoyingly familiar voice drawled.

I clenched my jaw. “I’m not in the mood, Bianca.”

Bianca walked into the living room like she owned the place.

She looked at me, wrinkling her nose.

“Ugh. You look like hell,” she said with a mocking smirk as she sat on the chair opposite me. “Rough day?”

I said nothing, but my fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly.

“You look like someone going through a lot of shit right now.” She continued, her eyes shone with mockery.

I forced myself to stay calm, breathing deeply. “Is there a reason you’re here, Bianca?”

She smirked, “What? Can't I cheer my sister up?”

My heart pounded in my chest, and I glared at her. “After sleeping with your sister’s husband, no, you cannot.”

“Oh, please,” Bianca giggled, waving her hand. “You were always too boring for Marcus. He needed someone who could keep up. You should see the kind of things I did to him in the room.”

I gritted my teeth as rage burned within me, but I didn't let it show. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of giving her a reaction.

Her smirk faltered slightly when she didn't get a reaction from me.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway let me know that Marcus was home.

I didn't want to talk or see him, so I stood up to leave.

“No, no, where are you going? Won't you welcome your husband, sister?” Bianca taunted.

I ignored her, making my way to the guest room to lock myself there.

My hands trembled, my chest ached, and my eyes burned from holding in the tears.

I laid down releasing a shaky breath as I closed my eyes. I just needed to bear all these for three days more, and I would be free.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud crash. My eyes flew open, and I jumped to my feet in shock.

Marcus stormed into the room with his eyes blazing in fury.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. “What the hell are you—?”

Before I could say a word, he slapped me hard across the face.