CHAPTER 3

Isabella woke up to her worst nightmare. as if losing her parents wasn't enough punishment for her, her auntie Martha finally showed her true colors and feelings towards her. first it was Martha and her family moving into Isabella's' house. but now they had fully taken control over everything her dad owned. the company, the house were now being controlled by her auntie.

Its a Monday morning and everyone in the family was getting ready to go work and to school. the rest had already settled at the dining table. it was only Isabella who was missing since she always took her time to prepare and do her skin care routine and all a girl usually does. after getting ready she came down to join the family at the table. but when she came into sight, she noticed the venomous eyes of her aunt who wasn't happy with her at all. ''good morning'' Isabella greeted and only got the reply from her uncle. Rohan her best friend wasn't around as he had left earlier today. as soon as she sat down, Whitney started coughing. ''what's wrong honey'' her mother asked. ''I think am catching a cold.'' she said still coughing. anyone there could tell she was faking her cough and that she was up to something. ''I think its the room, its very cold and a bit staffed'' Whitney said ''maybe I could change exchange with Bella and take her room'' she said finally getting to what she wanted. Isabella was surprised by the sudden suggestion her cousin brought up. ''you could just ask Ethan to exchange with you. why my room.'' Isabella said. ignoring her Whitney turned to her mother with pleading eyes acting cute and innocent before her mother. ''do you think u'll be fine in her room?'' Martha asked. ''yes mum. Bella's room is well ventilated and brings in fresh air'' Whitney said. ''okay'' Martha said and the turned to Bella '' Bella you'll have to think of this as a little sacrifice for your sister and give up your room'' she said. ''no auntie, that's impossible, that's my room. I cant sleep in any other room except mine. my parents specially decorated that room for me.'' Bella said raising her voice. Martha was beginning to get furious. ''do you think am here to bargain with you?'' Martha asked she continued 'Whitney is taking your room and that's final. so shift your staff to Whitney's room.''

Isabella was at loss of words. tears filled her eyes. she wondered how a person could change in a blink of an eye. this is not the Martha she knew when her parents were still alive. she was always loving and caring and Isabella always considered her second mother. all the family was good to her. and she never expected them to change to this extent. all this while Martha's husband and Ethan were quiet. she hoped someone could come to her rescue but it was all in vain. Whitney was beaming with happiness as if she had just won a trophy. Isabella was left at the table all alone still not believing what had just happened. after all the others had left, she went back to her room and cried her eyes out. as she was still crying the maid came and knocked on the door. she went to open for her. '' madam told me to help you move your staff to lady Whitney's room'' the maid said. ''its okay. ill help my self when am done packing'' Isabella said and sent the maid away. she sat on her bed and got lost in her thoughts. the memories of the time she spent with her parents. '' mum, dad what am I to do'' she whimpered. after crying her eyes out, she packed her staff and left the room.

when Rohan came back he went straight to Isabella's room and found Whitney in her room. '' hey where's Bella'' Rohan asked

''this is now my room so I don't know where your so called favorite sister is'' Whitney said. ''why is it your room? this is supposed to be Bella's room.'' Rohan said. since he left so early in the morning he wasn't aware of the drama that took place. ''this is my room because I asked for it and mum gave it to me. so if you have any question go ask mother'' she said

Rohan left and started looking for Bella in all the rooms until he found her in which was Whitney's room. when he saw her, he realized her eyes were all swollen from crying. ''what's wrong Bella'' Rohan asked. '' I was chased from my room Rohan'' she said bitterly

Rohan couldn't take this anymore, he immediately left and attacked his mother who was in the living room watching tv with her husband. ''mum what is the meaning of this?'' Rohan asked as his chest moving up and down from all the anger. ''what is the meaning of what? asked Martha. ''why is Whitney in Bella's room? why did you chase Bella out of her own room?'' he asked '' what is that a sin? is that why you came down screaming like a mad man?'' Martha asked. Rohan was now getting angry. he couldn't believe his mother would be mean to this extent. ''mad man? you think am crazy? mum this is not fair, taking her father's wealth wasn't enough for you. now you want to chase the poor girl from her father's home? '' Rohan shouted. ''shut up Rohan'' his father screamed making Rohan turn to him. ''father am ashamed of you. how could you support mother in making this outrageous decision. someone seeing this behavior would think you had something to do with the death of her parents'' Rohan said angrily and that came with his mother giving him a hot slap on his cheek. ''shut up young man. what do u think you know?'' Martha asked. she continued '' now shut up and go back to your room. I don't want to deal with such nonsense ever again'' Rohan went back to his room and locked himself in. all along Isabella was watching the fight that was taking place between Rohan and his parents and it seemed to her that her auntie was determined to drive her out of her father's home.

the next morning Rohan woke up to go check on Bella but she was nowhere to be seen. he ran and knocked on Whitney's room and asked if she had seen her around but she hadn't. he asked the maids but they had not seen her anywhere. he ran to his parents room and knocked. ''yes come in'' Martha said. ''mum did you send Bella on an errand?'' he asked as soon as he entered. ''no why?'' Martha asked. ''she's gone'' Rohan whispered.