Tate Vargas had always carried a sense of guilt when it came to Isabella. Hearing her beg like this, her voice breaking with desperation, made his heart twist. He couldn't help it. Instinctively, his mind started racing for ways to help her, even though he knew he shouldn't.

Isabella clutched the phone, her voice trembling. “Please, Dad, I can't stay here anymore. I'm begging you. Can't you do something? I really can't take it. If I stay here any longer, I'll lose my mind. Please... Dad... please."

Tate felt himself slipping. Her tear-stained face, her pleading eyes, they nearly broke him. He squeezed his eyes shut and let out a long, heavy sigh.

"Oh, Isabella..."

Isabella could sense his hesitation and pushed harder, hope flickering in her voice. "Please, Dad. You finally found me. Don't let me keep suffering. Please, I can't take it anymore."

Right then, Tate felt his resolve almost completely crumble. Part of him just wanted to give in and make it all better for her. But another part, the part that knew better, pulled him back.

He knew he couldn't keep shielding her. If he helped her dodge the consequences again, she'd only get more reckless, make bigger mistakes down the road. He didn't want to hurt her, but he had to do what was right. He'd already failed her once. He couldn't let himself do it again. He still wanted her to find her way, to grow up the right way.

Slowly, Tate opened his eyes and spoke, his voice steady but gentle. “Isabella, I can help you if you're willing to make things right. If you want to change, I know the world will give you another chance. You can still make your own life, I promise you."

It was his way of saying no, but softly, hoping she'd understand.

Isabella stared at him, hurt and confused. "Why? Why won't you help me? Even you?"

Tate could barely look at her. Seeing her so wounded made it almost impossible to hold his ground. “Isabella, listen. Whether you made mistakes or not, you're still my daughter. I'll always care about you. But when we do something wrong, we have to face it. We can't just run away. If you fix it, you get to start over. If you run, you lose that chance forever."

He tried to calm her, to make her feel safe. “Don't be scared. I've set aside money for you. When you get out, you'll have enough to start again. I'll make sure everything's taken care of for you before I go. You don't have to be afraid."

But Isabella was already losing patience. She'd never had much for him, and now, feeling rejected, she snapped.

She cut him off, her voice sharp and raw. "Why won't you help me? Don't you owe me? Why can't you just do this one thing?"

Her words tumbled out, rushed and angry. "Oh, I get it. You're Emily Blair's mentor. You've known her forever. Did she tell you not to help me? Is that it? Don't listen to her, Dad. She's jealous, you know she is. My life was always better than hers and she can't stand it. That's why she's out to get me. She's not a good person, you just don't see it. She's always sabotaging me behind my back. I wouldn't even be in here if she hadn't reported me..."

Tate closed his eyes again, feeling completely powerless. He'd known Emily for years. He might be getting older, but he could still see the truth. Emily was a good person. She wasn't anything like what Isabella was claiming.