Chapter 2 — The Child Who Became an Obstacle
The wedding preparations passed in a glamorous blur.
Reed Mansion was decorated with white flowers. The crystal chandeliers were polished until they reflected the ceiling. Designers, makeup artists, chefs, and event staff came and went constantly.
Isabella became the center of attention.
She chose every flower color, every tablecloth, and every song that would play when she walked down the aisle.
To the guests, she was the perfect bride.
Elegant.
Gentle.
Graceful.
But in the hidden corners of the mansion, another side of Isabella slowly appeared.
She became annoyed whenever Ethan ran into the living room while she was trying on her wedding dress.
“Ethan, can’t you see I’m busy?” she said.
Her voice was soft, but her eyes were cold.
The boy immediately froze.
“I’m sorry.”
But whenever Daniel was present, Isabella smiled again.
“It’s alright, sweetheart. I was only afraid you might trip over the train of my dress.”
Daniel did not notice the difference.
But Ethan did.
Another time, Ethan accidentally spilled water on the guest list. Isabella did not yell. She only bent down, looked at him, and whispered:
“If you keep causing trouble, your father will get tired of you.”
Ethan froze.
“Dad won’t get tired of me…”
Isabella smiled.
“Are you sure?”
From that day on, Ethan became quieter. He stopped running to show Isabella his drawings. He also began avoiding her whenever she was nearby.
Margaret noticed immediately.
One evening, she found Ethan sitting alone outside Daniel’s study, hugging his old teddy bear.
“What’s wrong, darling?”
Ethan shook his head.
“Nothing.”
Margaret sat beside him.
“You know you can tell Grandma anything.”
The boy looked at her, his lips pressed tightly together. Finally, he lowered his head.
“I don’t want to make Dad sad.”
Those words made Margaret’s heart ache.
She knew something was happening.
But Isabella was clever.
She never left evidence.
In front of Daniel, she remained the gentlest woman in the world. She prepared breakfast for Ethan, adjusted his bow tie, and asked if he wanted to carry the wedding rings during the ceremony.
Daniel saw those moments and believed he had made the right choice.
Only Margaret continued to watch in silence.
One week before the wedding, Daniel’s private lawyer came to the mansion to discuss the prenuptial agreement and inheritance matters.
Daniel was very clear.
His personal assets would one day belong to Ethan. Isabella would have legal rights as his wife, but she would not be allowed to interfere with Ethan’s trust fund.
Isabella listened with a perfect smile.
“Of course. Ethan is your son. I understand.”
But that night, Margaret saw Isabella standing alone in the garden, talking on the phone.
She could not hear everything, only a few broken sentences.
“…can’t touch the trust fund as long as the boy is still here…”
“…after the wedding, it will be easier…”
“…I need time to get Daniel to sign the papers for him to study abroad…”
Margaret walked closer.
Isabella immediately ended the call.
“It’s late,” Margaret said. “Why are you still outside?”
Isabella smiled.
“I was only calling the wedding team. They’re delivering the flowers early tomorrow.”
Margaret stared at her for a long time.
“I hope that’s true.”
From that day on, Margaret had extra cameras installed in the side hallway under the excuse of increasing security before the wedding.
Daniel thought it was unnecessary.
Margaret insisted.
May you like
“There are too many strangers coming in and out of the house. It’s better to be careful.”
No one knew that the camera would later save Ethan.
