Chapter 17 After five years in exile . Talia was back on American soil . It was Isabella's first time in the States , and she was practically vibrating with excitement during the entire flight . When they landed at JFK and Talia pulled on sunglasses and a face mask , Isabella tilted her head in confusion " Are we in trouble , Mommy ? Is that why you're hiding your face ? " She immediately slapped her tiny hands over her own face , peeking through her fingers like they were playing some elaborate game of hide and seek Talia couldn't help but smile , gently pulling Isabella's hands away . " No , baby , we're totally fine . You don't need to hide . " Honestly , Talia wasn't sure anyone would even recognize her after all this time . The disguise was just playing it safe - better to avoid any potential shitstorm . Turns out her precautions were completely useless . Her rolling suitcase e caught the wheel of someone's cart , and this middle - aged woman in a tracksuit went absolutely ballistic . " What the fuck is wrong with you ? Watch where you're going ! " Talia's stomach dropped . This was exactly what she'd been trying to avoid . " Tm so sorry , I didn't see- " Sorry doesn't fix my fucking ankle , does it ? The woman was getting louder , drawing stares from other travelers . " I could be seriously injured ! " Talia just wanted to disappear . She fumbled for her phone . " I can send you money right now for a doctor visit , or if there's any damage to your stuff- " Oh , so you think money solves everything ? Typical rich bitch attitude ! " The woman's voice was echoing through the terminal now . " And what's with the disguise ? What are you , some kind of criminal ? " Before Talia could react , the woman lunged forward and ripped off her sunglasses , then yanked down her face mask . The effect was immediate and devastating . " Holy shit , is that Talia Swann ? " " Oh my God , it is ! I thought she disappeared " Didn't she retire because of that cheating scandal ? " " Wait , I thought she was the victim ? That other woman was the homewrecker ? " " Look at the kid - she looks just like her . Did Talla have a secret baby ? Phones started coming out , flashing cameras , people pushing closer to get a better look . Talia felt like she was suffocating " Mommy , why is everyone staring ? Isabella's voice was small , scared . Talia scooped up her daughter , trying to shield her face as she pushed toward the exit . But the angry y woman wasn't done . " Oh no you don't ! " She grabbed Talia's arm , her nails digging in . " You're not running away until you make this right ! Get on your knees and apologize properly ! " " Let go of me ! " Tal Talia tried to pull free , but the woman was surprisingly strong " I don't care if you're some washed - up celebrity - you hurt me 23:09 You Wanted Her Happy WITH MY GLORY ? I Made You Childless WITH YOUR BLOODLINE 76.246 Someone grabbed a handful of Talia's hair , yanking her head back so hard she gasped in pain . Isabella started crying . The crowd was getting uglier , people shoving phones in their faces , yelling questions and insults . Talia felt like she was drowning . Then suddenly the mob parted like the Red Sea . A tall figure in a black coat cause striding through the chaos , his expression thunderous . He grabbed the wrist of whoever was holding Talia's hair and squeezed until they let go with a yelp . " Back the Back off . Now . " A team of security guards materialized out of nowhere , forming a protective circle around Talia and Isabella as they cleared a path through the crowd . " Tre got you . " Trevor murmured , his hand on Talia's back as he guided them toward the exit . " You're safe now . He got them into a black SUV before anyone could follow . Only when they were speeding away from the airport did Talla finally stop shaking . " Thank you . " Her voice came out barely above a whisper . Trevor glanced at her in the rearview mirror , something unreadable in his dark eyes . " You don't have to thank me , Talia . Not for this . " She turned to look out the window at the familiar New York skyline . " Yes , I do ." The rest of the ride passed in tense silence . Talia was so lost in her own head - processing the airport nightmare , worrying about Isabella , dreading the next few days - that she didn't pay attention to where they were going until the car stopped Her heart sank when she recognized the building "I already booked us a hotel room . " She reached for the door handle , but Trevor's voice stopped her , " It's almost midnight and it's pouring rain , Isabella's exhausted . " He gestured to her daughter , who had indeed fallen asleep against the car window . " Just stay here tonight . I'll take you anywhere you want tomorrow , I promise . " His tone was careful , almost pleading . And God , Talia was so tired . The flight , the airport drama , the emotional whiplash of being back in this city - it was all catching up to her . She looked at Isabella's peaceful sleeping face and felt her resolve crumble " Just tonight , " she said finally . So she found herself walking back into the penthouse she'd shared with Trevor five years ago - the same place where her entire world had come crashing downL You Wanted Her Happy WITH MY GLORYƏTİ