Isla had just got off work –in a hurry, that was.

With her grumpy boss breathing down her neck all day and her fiancé who had been acting suspicious for the past few weeks, she had every reason to want to get home.

But Isla had ignored the suspicious behavior, convincing herself he was simply trying to act mysterious because he had planned a surprise for her.

After all, Mike had wished her a happy birthday and told her he loves her before she left for work this morning.

She was so excited she couldn't wait to see what he'd gotten her this year.

Her lips broke into a wide grin, her bright eyes sparkled, the emerald-green iris almost glowing with excitement.

She hummed her way out of the office, ignoring the amused look from her coworkers.

She even decided not to drive today, instead she hailed a taxi and spent the entire ride wondering what Mike could possibly have planned.

Whatever it was, she knew she was going to love it, because it was from him.

When she got home, however, her excitement faltered.

Isla stood in front of the door, her brows slowly pulling together. "Huh..." she tilted her head.

Something was wrong.

The door was never locked from inside, and today was Mike's day off.

She searched her bag and pulled out a spare key.

"Glad I decided to take you with me today."

She unlocked the door. But for some reason, the moment she pushed it open, her pulse quickened–loud and wild in her ears that she couldn't tell if it was from excitement…. Or Fear.

She stepped inside, the living room was dark, she stood in the center.

This…

Usually, Mike would have turned on the lights by now. He hated sitting in darkness.

Isla reached for the switch but stopped. She couldn't bring herself to turn on the lights.

Then–

She heard something.

A muffled sound–barely audible but she still heard it, from upstairs.

Her finger curled around the strap of her hand before. She took a few hesitant steps towards the staircase but stopped.

"I should go out." she muttered under her breath, her gaze moved towards the front door.

She could still leave, call Mike, ask him what was going on or tell him she was coming home.

But then, another thought crossed her mind

This was their home.

She swallowed, slowly she forced herself up the stairs. Each step she took towards the sound was heavier than the next. Her heartbeat grew louder and stomach twisted.

Ehen she reached the hallway, she could hear the sound more clearly. And instantly, all the muscles in her body froze.

"hmf.. Ahh...Mik– oh god!"

Isla stopped breathing. Then she heard the voice again.

"Oh fuck, Camila..."

Her blood ran cold, her heart stuttered as her hands flew to her mouth, her already doe eyes widened like a saucer.

Camila?

No.

It couldn't be. Not Camila,.. anyone but Camila.

Isla stared at the closed bedroom door.

Maybe she heard wrong. Maybe it was another Camila.

Maybe—

With a trembling hand she reached for the doorknob and slammed it open and immediately knew she had made a terrible mistake.

The world stopped.

They both jumped from apart. Mike jerked upright and Camilla screamed.

"What the fuc– Isla?" There was shock and confusion in Mike's voice as they struggled hurriedly with the bedsheets to cover themselves.

Isla ignored him, her eyes instantly found the woman sitting beside her fiancé, their eyes met.

Isla stumbled backwards, her heart dropping to her stomach.

"Mom...?"

Camila’s face crumbled instantly.

Isla couldn't believe her eyes.

Her father's third wife, who had somehow earned his affection enough to not kill her and actually treated Isla like her own daughter instead of another obstacle.

The woman Isla had trusted.

Camila looked like she was about to pass out. The terror in her face was unmistakable and it was enough to tell Isla everything she needed to know.

This wasn't their first time.

It wasn't a misunderstanding and there was no surprise waiting for her. But wasn't this more than a surprise?

Her chest tightened painfully. She looked at Mike, then at Camila then Mike again. Her lips parted but nothing came out.

She had trusted them.

Camila stood up from the bed. “Isla… “

“Don’t, just don't.” Isla's voice was barely audible.

Camila went silent.

Isla stared at her, searching her face for something, anything, an explanation, a lie, just anything. She almost wanted her to lie.

“You… “ her voice broke, she swallowed hard. “You were the one person I trusted. So how could you?”

Camila looked away and that hurts more than anything.

Isla let out a tiny, disbelieving laugh.

“Wow… “

Mike shifted. “Isla listen—”

Isla turned toward him. “Listen to what? She questioned “To how I just walked in on you, my fiancé sleeping with my stepmother?”

He opened his mouth but nothing came out.

“Tell me I'm wrong.” Her voice trembled.

Mike stared at her.

“Tell me!” her voice cracked through the room.

Camila flinched.

Mike's expression tightened. “Calm down Isla, don't do anything you might regret.” Mike's voice trembled slightly.

Isla shut her eyes and opened them. Her gaze settled on Mike.

He flinched, as this was the first time he had ever seen that look in her eyes.

She laughed softly –hallow, broken

“Oh, I'm calm Mike.” Her voice was suddenly devoid of any emotions, “I thought you were preparing a surprise for me, you know, because it's my birthday today and you've been acting strangely for weeks”

Mike's face paled.

“Now it all makes sense.” She nodded to herself. “The late night texting, secret phone calls, always postponing our dates, coming home impossibly late at night, the way you suddenly stopped looking at me until I asked. So this is why.” she gestured at him and Camilla.

Mike and Camilla exchange quick glances.

“But this was beyond surprising, don't you think? Cheating on me with her,” she continued, slowly twisting the ring around her ring finger, pulling it off she stared at it for a moment then tossed it at him. “My stepmom of all people… My stepmother.” Isla chuckled softly, she felt tears gathering in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. “But trust me Mike, we are done.”

Mike's eyes widened.

“Isla—”

“No.” She shook her head, her eyes burned. “You've made your choice, so live with it.”

Isla turned and took one step toward the door.

“Isla, wait.”

She didn't stop.

“Isla!”

Her leg had barely crossed the door when Mike's panic finally swallowed whatever sense he had left.

“If you walk out that door isla, we're finished!”

Isla stopped, a bitter laugh escaped her lips, her back still facing him.

“We were finished the moment I opened that door.”

She almost stepped out.

Mike's eyes darted around the room. His gaze landed on the bedside lamp. He didn't think, he grabbed it.

“Isla!”

She turned at the sound of his voice.

The lamp came down.

A sharp crack exploded against the side of her head.

For a second, Isla didn't feel anything. She simply stood there, staring at him with wide eyes.

Mike's grip loosened around the lamp.

“Isla…”

The room tilted as she stumbled, her hand slowly rose to the side of her head. Her fingers came away wet. She stared at them. Bright red. Her breath caught.

“What…”

The floor seemed to move beneath her feet.

“Isla!”

Mike dropped the lamp with a loud clang and rushed toward her.

She tried to step backward, but her legs wouldn't cooperate.

Everything around her became strangely distant. Mike's voice sounded muffled, as though he were speaking from underwater.

“You hit me…”

Her knees buckled.

Mike caught her before her head could strike the floor.

“Oh God.”

His face had gone pale.

“Isla? Isla, wake up.”

Her eyes fluttered once, then closed. Her body went completely limp in his arms.

“Isla!”

He lowered her onto the floor, his hands shaking violently as he stared at the blood near her temple.

“What did I do?”

Camila stood frozen beside the bed. Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God…what have you done!” Camilla screamed, already dressed up.

Mike looked up at her.

“I didn't mean to.”

“You hit her!”

“I didn't mean to!”

His voice cracked.

Camila rushed over and dropped to her knees beside Isla. “Isla?”

Nothing.

She pat Isla's cheek hurriedly.

No response.

Camila's face was drained of color. “She's not waking up.”

Mike stared at Isla's still body, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Camila stood up. “If Diego finds out, we are dead.” she paced.

“If Deigo ever finds out his wife was fucking his daughter's fiancé… Imagine what would happen.”

She trembled.

“Thought so.” Mike's hands shook as he carried Isla's unconscious body to the bed. “And he can't find out.” That's what he said but even he wasn't convinced.

“Are you crazy!?” Camilla snapped at him. “That's Diego Motteri's daughter you're talking about!”

Mike slumped onto the edge of bed, his leg bounced uncontrollably as ran his hands over his face staring at the unconscious Isla on the bed.

The room was deadly quiet.

Then–

A phone rang, the sound cutting through silence.

Both of them froze, their heads snapped towards the sound. The phone was lying on the floor.

Isla’s phone.

They exchanged glances before Mike picked it up with trembling fingers.

He looked at the screen and every trace of color disappeared from his face.

The caller ID? Father.

Camila leaned closer, her eyes widened. “Diego?”

Mike couldn't speak.

The phone kept ringing, yet neither of them moved.

Because they both knew exactly what it meant if Diego Motteri found out what they had done to his only daughter.