Unmasking the Heart

The doorbell chimed softly, and Joi moved quickly to answer, already knowing who to expect. She opened the door to reveal Isabella's mother, her presence exuding the usual poise and elegance Joi remembered so well.

"Welcome back," Joi greeted warmly, a genuine smile lighting her face. "How was your flight? Was it smooth?"

"It was fine, thank you," Isabella's mom replied, stepping inside with a subtle air of confidence. She removed her sunglasses, her sharp eyes scanning the cozy interior.

"I'm glad," Joi said, closing the door behind her. "Come in and make yourself comfortable. Isabella's asleep right now—she wore herself out after an eventful morning. But she'll be thrilled to see you once she wakes up."

"Thank you, Joi. It's been a while." Her tone carried a warmth that felt both familiar and distant, as though balancing gratitude with an unspoken thought.

Joi nodded, leading her into the living room. "It has. Please, have a seat. Let me get you something to drink. Tea? Or would you prefer something else?"

"Tea would be perfect," Isabella's mom answered as she settled into the plush armchair.

Joi disappeared into the kitchen, her thoughts momentarily drifting. Though she and Isabella's mother knew each other well, this meeting felt slightly different. Perhaps it was the formal air around her, or maybe it was just the unexpected visit.

Returning with a steaming cup of tea, Joi set it on the table in front of her. "I also have lunch ready if you're hungry. Mrs. Catlin made her signature beef stew today, and there's plenty to share."

"That sounds lovely," Isabella's mom said with a gracious smile.

They moved to the dining area, where Joi served generous portions of stew and fresh bread. Conversation came easily as they ate, with both women exchanging updates about their lives.

"Isabella's really thriving here," Joi said, her tone soft and fond. "She's clever, mischievous, and incredibly charming. Yesterday, she convinced Mrs. Catlin to bake cookies just so she could eat half the batter."

The woman chuckled lightly, her eyes bright with amusement. "That does sound like her. She's always been headstrong, even as a toddler. I remember when she refused to eat anything that wasn't shaped like an animal."

Joi laughed at that, the mental image of a stubborn young Isabella warming her heart. "That's not surprising at all."

Adrian entered the house with the air of authority that always accompanied him, his cold gaze scanning the living room. Joi, sitting on the couch, immediately rose with a small smile, expecting at least a formal acknowledgment. But Adrian's eyes didn't linger on her. Instead, his attention sharply shifted to the woman seated on the opposite couch.

The woman, Isabella's mother, froze the moment she saw him. Her mouth opened slightly, her composure faltering for the first time.

Adrian's icy demeanor melted instantly, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Sophia?" he whispered, his voice heavy with emotion.

Sophia rose to her feet slowly, still processing the shock of seeing Adrian. A soft, tremulous smile appeared on her face as she nodded. "Adrian..."

Joi blinked, confusion knitting her brows. The tension in the room was palpable, but her growing unease couldn't be ignored. "Wait! You're Sophia?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief, her gaze darting between Adrian and the woman she only knew as Isabella's mother.

Neither Adrian nor Sophia acknowledged her. In a few long strides, Adrian reached Sophia and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Joi froze in place, her stomach twisting as if a blade had been driven into her heart.

It wasn't just the kiss—it was the intimacy, the sheer intensity of the moment, the way Adrian held Sophia as if no one else in the world existed.

Joi's heart sank. Even if this was just a contract, I didn't deserve this humiliation. She gritted her teeth, holding back the tears threatening to spill.

The sound of the front door opening broke the spell. Mrs. Catlin walked in carrying several grocery bags. She paused, noticing Adrian's car outside, but nothing could have prepared her for the scene she stumbled upon.

Adrian was passionately kissing a woman while Joi stood frozen, her face a mix of confusion, shock, and pain. The bags slipped from Mrs. Catlin's hands, the sound of groceries tumbling to the floor echoing in the silent room.

"Sophia?" Mrs. Catlin's voice was a mix of shock and disbelief. Her gaze darted to Adrian, then to the woman in his arms.

Sophia turned to face Mrs. Catlin, her expression softening with recognition. "Mrs. Catlin... It's me," she said with a faint smile, her voice trembling.

Mrs. Catlin's initial shock gave way to a mixture of relief and sympathy. "Sophia, you're back..." she murmured, overwhelmed. Her joy at seeing Sophia was tempered by the sight of Joi standing off to the side, her expression unreadable.

Joi couldn't stand the suffocating atmosphere any longer. Adrian and Sophia's reunion left no space for her. The realization hit her like a tidal wave: If Sophia is back, then the contract... it's over.

Without a word, Joi quietly retreated from the room. She considered heading to her bedroom, but the thought of entering Sophia's space—a room adorned with pictures of a past she wasn't part of—made her chest tighten. Instead, she wandered to the backyard, where Ruby, her puppy, played energetically.

Kneeling, Joi scooped Ruby into her arms, holding him close like a lifeline. She buried her face in his soft fur, letting out a shaky breath.

Inside, Mrs. Catlin, just back from her grocery trip, rushed to serve Adrian and Sophia. She had seen Joi leave the room, the young woman's emotions etched clearly on her face, but her duties left her no space to follow and comfort her.

Adrian and Sophia were engaged in quiet conversation, their presence commanding Mrs. Catlin's full attention. She busied herself with setting out refreshments, casting a brief glance toward the backyard, where she had last seen Joi.

After a while, Joi decided she needed to clear her head. She slipped out of the house with Ruby in her arms, heading for a quiet stroll. The evening air was crisp, and she focused on the calming presence of her puppy to soothe her spiraling emotions.

However, her peace was short-lived. After a few minutes of walking, she sensed someone following her. The sound of footsteps matched hers, quickening when she tried to gain distance.

Her heart raced as she turned down a less crowded street, hoping to lose whoever it was. But before she could react, a sleek black car screeched to a stop in front of her, blocking her path.

Two men stepped out, their expressions cold and unyielding. Panic surged through Joi as they closed the distance, grabbing her by the arms and dragging her toward the car.

"Let me go! What do you want?" she demanded, clutching Ruby tightly against her chest.

The men didn't answer, their grip firm and unrelenting. Joi's mind raced. This wasn't random. Someone sent them.

She struggled to keep calm, her focus shifting to finding clues about who was behind this. If I can just figure out who did this, I can figure out why.

The car door slammed shut, and the vehicle sped off, leaving the quiet street empty once m