**ISABELLA'S POV**

I felt completely empty when I finally got home. Being fired should have hurt more, but it was just one more step toward the leaving I had already decided on.

Part of me was relieved - no more early shifts, no more hiding the pregnancy, no more walking on eggshells around hospital politics and that Asshat Lukas! Still, the silence in the penthouse pressed in on me like a heavy blanket. I didn't even bother changing. I crawled straight into bed and let sleep pull me under.

Hours later, I woke up in the middle of the night, stomach growling loud enough to echo in the quiet room....