Chapter 156

Sarah's POV I cupped my stinging cheek, the shock of Isabella's slap still reverberating through my body. My mind raced to process what she'd just revealed - Alexander had ended their engagement? When? And why hadn't he mentioned this significant detail during our encounters? Before I could fully gather my thoughts, a small voice cut through the tension. "Mommy? Why did that lady hit you?" My heart froze. Aria stood wide-eyed behind me, her gray eyes - so painfully similar to her father's - filled with confusion and concern. Isabella's gaze immediately shifted past me, focusing on my daughter with predatory intensity. I could almost see her mind working, analyzing every feature of Aria's face, searching for the resemblance that would confirm her suspicions. I couldn't let that happen. Not here. Not now. "Elena," I said urgently, my voice barely controlled, "would you take Aria to the car, please?" Elena, bless her, didn't hesitate. She scooped up Aria and hurried out, though I could se