ANNA

I can't stop thinking of how bitter my daughter felt towards me. Even Aria walked out on me angrily.

We should have just told her the truth from the beginning. It would have been so easy.

She didn't even have a proper marriage.

"It's okay, Anna. She would come around " My husband said, trying to console me.

She can only come around when Tecca is no longer on the loose and her marriage with Lucas is dissolved.

Probably if you had let her be what she wanted to be, it would have been a consolation price to her.

But no you didn't.

The great Mr Mackenzie daughter shouldn't be a baker. Now even Mr Mackenzie couldn't save his daughter and now look what she's going through "l said as i walked out and headed to my Isabel's room.

I really miss her and i don't know what i can do to stop all this drama in her life. She doesn't deserve this. Not at all.

Just then my phone rang, i looked at the caller ID and a hint of happiness lit up. l wiped my tears off, immediately...

"Bella, my love "l said into the phone, trying so hard not to tear up.

"Mother, are you crying? "She asked and l sniffled.

"Not any more honey. He treats you well, right? "i asked, anxiously and she sighed.

"'m so sorry mother, i was just so frustrated, i shouldn't have said those things to you. And yes, he treats me so well "she answered and l smiled.

"l knew Lucas would be a great husband. It's okay my baby, we shouldn't have forced you but it seems we made a great choice " I replied and walked out of the room.

"Yes. Take care mom and don't cry anymore, okay? I'm doing just fine, there's no need to worry "she ranted and l gave a slow nod like she could see me.

"Okay love. Take care of yourself, okay? "I responded.

"Okay, Mom. l will "she answered and hung up.

I'm just so happy that my daughter called me, which implies she's not angry. And Lucas .. he's treating her well. We didn't make a bad decision, did we?

l smiled to myself and went back to our room.

"Bella called, honey, She called! "I squealed, excitedly and slumped on the bed.

"Is she okay? There's no problem, is there? " He asked and l smiled.

"Yes, she's fine. There's no problem "

"Lucas is treating her well, right? And did she ask after me? "He asked and l sighed.

"Yes, he's treating her well but no she didn't ask after you "l answered, despondent.

I saw his countenance drop when i made my last statement.

"Don't worry, honey. She would surely come around but it's going to take her some time, okay? "i reassured and laid my hands on his shoulders.

"Well, it's alright. I'm happy she called "he said and i feigned a smile.

l know he's not happy and l understand why. He didn't mean to marry her off but he did with her best interests in mind. But I'm sure she would come around when she knows the truth.

ARIA

"I'm glad you called her, sister "l said, speaking with Ella on the phone.

"I'm also glad i called her "she replied and l sighed.

"How's Lucas treating you? "I popped up the question and she replied in a high pitched voice.

"Well, like an idiot that he is. But trust me, sis I'm not a fool either " She replied and l chuckled.

"Yo!!! That's my baby girl "

"Actually sis, thanks for convincing me to call Mom. I've realized there's no need to be mad at her "She responded and l smiled.

You are welcome, sis "

"So how's my niece doing, huh? "She asked, obviously with a smug smile on her face.

"Oh! Stop it, Isabel! Well, my baby's fine. She's got a great mother, you know "she replied jocularly and we laughed.

"l have to go now, Isabel. I'm preparing my husbands meal so I'm going to hang up now, okay? "I stated and stood up from the chair.

"Alright, sis. My regards to Richard "She said and l hung up. l strode to the kitchen to check the

"How's my wife and my little princess doing? " Richard said as he embraced me from behind and l shivered a little.

"Richard, you startled me, "l said and turned to face him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Here, have this "he chimed in and planted a kiss on my lips. l chuckled and claimed his lips.

I've always enjoyed being in his arms. He's the best husband a wife could ever ask for.

"Huu .. so you are in the mood, huh? "He asked after we disengaged and l smiled.

"Maybe "l answered and bit my lower lip. He chuckled and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Why did it have to be on the forehead, huh? l want it on my lips .. humph! "I frowned and turned around.

"Richard, stop it! "l yelped as he tickled me. l laughed out loud and pushed him off, slightly.

"So how's my baby doing? "he asked and rubbed my tummy slowly.

"She's fine but she's been kicking a lot lately"l whispered and we laughed.

"Ella sends her regards "

"Oh! How's she doing? "He asked.

"Well, she's getting used to it but i just hope she and Lucas doesn't kill themselves "l stated with an eye roll.

"I'm sure they won't and for all we know, they might both fall in love "

"l hope so "l replied.

"Okay. Dinner is ready babe "I announced and he snorted.

"I will set the table "Richard offered and l smiled and pecked him.

Soon, we finished setting the table.

"Babe, we really need to get maids soon. I know you said not to but you are getting heavy already and I don't want this stress for you again. And this house is too big for you to stay alone in it "Richard said and l sighed.

"But you are with me, ain't you? "

"l go to work all the time, you know "

I tried to argue but he cut me off.

"If you argue with me then i will call Isabella and she will talk to you instead, "He said and l sithed.

"Okay. Fine! you win "l blurted and we sat down.

NEXT MORNING

ISABELLA

I woke up quite early today and decided to go down for breakfast.

"Good morning, Ella "Rita greeted as i sat on the kitchen stool.

"Good morning, Rita. How was your night? "i answered with a smile.

"Well, it was fine "

"Hmm, that's good. Can i get coffee, please?"

"Sure "she replied as she made coffee for me.

Just then, Lucas got down all dressed for work, l presume. He glanced at me as he walked down the stairs.

"Good morning "l greeted but he just walked past me and headed out. He ignored me.

He didn't even wait for breakfast.

"He doesn't take breakfast before he leaves for work " Rita said as if reading my mind.

"Okay then, i would prepare lunch for him and take it to his office "i responded and sipped from my hot cup of coffee.

I got some ingredients and started preparing him lunch as it's almost time for his lunch. Soon i was done, i packed it in a box and headed up to change.

I came down soon all dressed up, got the lunch bag from the counter and headed out.

I already got my car driven here by my mom's driver.

I drove off and headed to his company.

It's a 30minute drive from our house, so i drove in and parked my car.

I could notice people staring but i cared less. That's really not my problem right now.

"Good afternoon. The CEO's office, please... I said to the receptionist.

"Do you have an appointment, ma'am? "She asked, politely.

"Not really. l"m Isabella Crawford, his wife "

"So many sluts comes here and claims to be his wife so l can't let you in "She replied, harshly.

I smiled and strode towards the elevator, definitely his office would be on the top floor.

She rushed after me but i already got into the elevator.

I stopped at the top floor and i could see a door with a boldly written 'CEO' sign. I opened the door, only to meet my so-called husband with another lady.

My smile soon fade away as l saw them in a ... Damn! He looked really shocked and pushed the lady.

"Isabel, you're here? "

"Sorry, i brought lunch "i quickly apologized and walked in and dropped it on his desk.

For some reason, it hurts a lot.

I gazed at him and walked outside.

"Isabel? "

For some reason he kept rushing after me as i took the stairs, we got to the reception and i stopped.

"What is it Lucas? Why does it matter? First i don't complain, then your receptionist calls me a slut and this again. Leave me alone, just suit yourself, okay? "I screamed at him and proceeded to my car.

Yes, I'm not pleased with this marriage but that's just too much of an insult, i even wanted to make friends with him for the sake of peace and this is what i get from it.

I drove back home, Lucas doesn't deserve peace from me, neither does he deserve my friendship.

From today onwards, i will continue being a fire just as much as he is fire.

There is fire and ice but we are fire and fire.