Chapter 8 - The Woman They Called Unstable
Nathaniel hired a private physician who had never treated Isabella.
The doctor prepared a report based entirely on statements from Nathaniel and Savannah.
It described mood swings, paranoia and irrational fixation on money.
Nathaniel began filming arguments.
He started recording only after provoking Isabella.
One video showed her shouting because Savannah wore her mother’s necklace.
It did not show Nathaniel handing the necklace to Savannah.
Another showed Isabella throwing a glass.
It did not show Nathaniel blocking the door while threatening to take control of her trust.
Savannah sent selected clips to household staff.
She told them Isabella was becoming dangerous.
When Isabella tried to leave the mansion alone, security stopped her.
“Mr. Cross requested that someone accompany you,” the guard said.
“I don’t need supervision.”
“We were told there are medical concerns.”
Isabella called Nathaniel.
He answered calmly.
“You’ve been under stress.”
“You told security I’m unstable.”
“I told them to protect you.”
“From what?”
“Yourself.”
Isabella drove to Edward’s garage using an old spare car the guards did not recognize.
Edward saw the bruises before she covered them.
His face changed.
“Who did that?”
“Nathaniel grabbed me.”
Edward removed his work gloves.
“We are ending this today.”
“No.”
His voice rose.
“No?”
“If you arrive with security and lawyers, he will say you took over because he discovered the trust.”
“I don’t care what he says.”
“I do.”
Edward stared at her.
Isabella continued.
“He has stolen money. Used my identity. Created false medical records. If we act before the postnup attempt, he may escape the worst of it.”
“You are treating your marriage like an investigation.”
“Because he turned it into one.”
Edward took a breath.
“I will not leave you there without protection.”
They created an emergency plan.
The mansion’s original security system had been installed by a Whitmore subsidiary.
Nathaniel had replaced the visible cameras.
But older backup cameras remained inside the study and hallways.
Edward’s team reactivated them remotely.
Isabella received a second phone hidden inside an ordinary makeup case.
One phrase would activate the response.
Dad, he made me sign.
If she spoke those words, police, private security and the legal team would enter.
Edward held his daughter’s face between his scarred hands.
“You do not need the perfect case more than you need to survive.”
Isabella nodded.
She returned to Bel Air.
Savannah was waiting in her bedroom.
May you like
On the bed lay the necklace recorder.
👉 Savannah had found Isabella’s recording device, and Nathaniel now knew his wife had been collecting evidence against him.
