Grace of God

2

Isabella

I ring the doorbell with shaky hands and my brother opens the door in a short while. I stare at his face for few moments, unable to find any words. He scrunches his brows while studying my expression.

"What's wrong Bella?" He asks in a bothered tone as few more tears make their way on my cheeks.

"Where is she?" I question with urgency, brushing past him to go inside the house.

"She's with Lily in her room. What happened Bells?" He follows me as I make my way to their guest bedroom.

"Mama!!!"

A familiar shriek lands on my years as my bundle of joy comes running towards me, abandoning her toys in the process. I drop to my knees and hug her, crying my eyes out.

"Don't cry mama. It ok. I help better." She speaks like a big girl, caressing my hair. It takes me awhile to compose myself again and look in her emerald eyes. His eyes. Lily gives me a knowing look before turning her attention to my little girl.

"Gracie, darling, why don't you have sleepy time with bunny while I make mommy eat something?" She softly suggests.

"But mama sad, I help." She's obstinate just like her daddy. I let out a sigh and smile at her.

"Mama is okay baby. Have your sleepy time and mama will join you and bunny later, okay? Now, I have to eat so that I can play with you."

She pretends to think but smiles and nods her head. I tuck her in bed with her stuff toy and make my way to the living room where two people are waiting for answers.

"Did she refuse to get into bed again?" Caleb nods but continues staring at me.

"You saw him, didn't you?" Lily goes straight to the point, her arms crossed over her small baby bump. I hang my head low and nod.

"He was going to propose to someone." My voice cracks uttering those words.

"THAT BASTARD!" I'm startled as my brother's voice booms throughout the house.

I shush him; fearing that he will wake up now resting Grace. I sigh as Caleb's face turn into a bright red tomato and Lily pats my back.

"I'm so sorry Isabella. But what do you mean by 'going to propose'?" Lily asks while glaring at her husband and hugging me at the same time.

"He was about to pull out the ring box but he saw me and kinda froze."

"I'm gonna kill him. I'm sure as fudge gonna kill him." Caleb seethes through gritted teeth, his voice an octave lower.

"It's not his fault Cal. He made himself clear that he doesn't want anything to do with me or my baby. He's moved on. Good for him." I mutter, fake assuring him; slicing my heart in the process.

Ryder James Elliot. The new CEO of Elliot Enterprises, my first boyfriend and the guy I loved more than anything in the whole world only to get my soul ripped apart.

My parents were overly religious. My mom had a not so hidden wish that I should only date boys who are of my age and regularly attend the church. She even tried to set me up with her friend's— Mrs. Cooper's— pathetic son, George. He ain't no saint like my mother thinks he is. He had slept with almost half of our high school's female population and is known for getting shitfaced and cause trouble amongst his friends.

As a good Christian daughter, I was forbidden to drink alcohol and have sex before wedlock. The role of ideal daughter was going well until I went to a party at Tristine's house. We had just started the high school and I was tired keeping up with my parents' expectations and the peer pressure was at its high so I decided to give it a go. Mr. & Mrs. Miller were out of town so Troy, her older brother, grabbed the opportunity and turned their house into a kegger. That's where I met him.