Chapter 6 - Izzy

I stood frozen, my mind completely blank, Arlo, Ava, and a handful of curious guests every one of them was staring at me, I could hear guest whisper to themselves, they were all suspicious, and they questioned my identity, Mia has some explanation to do when I get home, if I make it out though.

My knees threatened to give out beneath me, and my stomach sank so hard it felt as though the floor had vanished. Arlo noticed. I saw it in his eyes. He had caught every flicker of panic crossing my face.

I had to do something, but how was I supposed to react to a sister I had never known existed? Whoever had orchestrated this sure know how to break me,they hadn't come to embarrass me, instead they had come to expose me.

Before the silence and whispers could stretch any longer, instinct took over. "Sis."

The word escaped before I could stop it, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms tightly around Ava. "Of course I remember you," I whispered with a shaky laugh. "How could I ever forget you? I'm... I'm so happy to see you." For one suspended heartbeat, no one spoke.

Then Ava hugged me back with surprising strength. "Oh, Izzy." Her voice broke. "I thought... I thought maybe you wouldn't remember me anymore.” relief flooded her face, or maybe she was pretending but mine never came. Over her shoulder, I caught Arlo watching us, his expression didn't soften, if anything, he looked even less convinced.

I pulled away first, forcing another smile onto my face. "How was your flight?" It was the safest question I could think of. The less she spoke about the past, the better.

"It was great, mom will be so happy to see us together like this." Ava replied with a small laugh, brushing tears from the corners of her eyes. “Of course she will.” I responded confidently and kept smiling as though my life depended on it, maybe it did.

"Ava," Arlo said at last, his voice calm and measured, "why don't you go greet the other guests?" "Sure. See you later, Izzy."

She kissed my cheek before disappearing into the crowd, something didn't feel right about this sister of mine and with Arlo's reaction when she first walked in, something is definitely not right.

The moment she was gone, silence settled between Arlo and me, I had no idea how to face him, without warning, he slipped an arm around my waist. The gesture looked comforting to everyone else but to me, it felt like another test, he had noticed every reaction, hesitation and every lie, yet he said nothing. I was supposed to be happy about that but I'm not, his silence worries me even more because I don't know what he's up to.

He's hard to read, "We haven't finished greeting the guests," I said quickly gently removing his hand from my waist. If my cover was going to fall apart, I refused to let it happen tonight, he studied my face, searching for something, I gave him nothing, I maintained the fake identity I was thought how to maintain, all credit goes to Renata.

Locking my arm through his, I walked beside him into the ballroom as though nothing had happened. Every smile I wore felt borrowed, every step heavier than the last, but somehow I kept the performance alive because Isabelle wasn't weak.

Arlo and I parted ways as soon as we stepped back into the ballroom, within seconds, he was surrounded by a group of influential businessmen, their expensive suits and effortless confidence making it obvious they belonged to the same world he did. They congratulates him with firm handshakes and practiced smiles, then talking about mergers, investments, and deals worth more money than I could imagine.

I drifted toward a quiet corner of the room, accepting a glass of wine from a passing waiter, I lifted it to my lips without really tasting it, more interested in having something to do with my hands than enjoying the drink, the ballroom was filled with laughter and clinking glasses, but I couldn't relax, every elegant smile around me felt rehearsed, every lingering glance made me wonder if someone had already seen through me.

My eyes searched the crowd until they found Arlo again. Even while listening to the men around him, he looked completely at ease, as though he had been born for rooms like this, a smile escaped my lips, he looked very handsome.

"Isabelle, congratulations on your engagement." A middle-aged man greeted me with a warm smile. Beside him stood an elegant woman draped in designer clothes. Everything about them spoke of old money. "Thank you," I replied politely.

"We were heartbroken when we heard you disappeared," the woman said softly. Her husband nodded. "Thank God you're back safe."

I had no idea who they were, their names hadn't appeared anywhere in the file Mia had given me, which meant they either weren't important or someone had forgotten to warn me about them. "Thank you for your concern," I said, keeping my smile perfectly in place. "It means a lot."

The couple excused themselves and disappeared into the crowd.

Only then did I let out the breath I'd been holding, I searched the ballroom befimy eyes finally landed on Arlo,Then, almost as if he sensed me watching, his gaze lifted, across the crowded ballroom, our eyes met, he didn't smile, he simply held my gaze for a few seconds before turning back to his conversation, A chill ran down my spine.

Arlo was still watching me, sipping his wine he was studying me or perhaps he was waiting for me to make a mistake, a man approached him his gaze shifted to the man, they shook hands.

“Congratulations Isabelle.” Another couple said, “Thanks.” I replied, this job is really hard “our cute little Isabelle is all grown now.” The woman said smiling, I smiled back, the couple left, joining other guests.

Just when I thought I could finally have the moment to myself Ava appeared beside me again. "I finally have you to myself," she said with a bright smile. "We've got so much to catch up on." I forced a smile. "I know." She linked her arm through mine as though we'd done it a thousand times before.

"Do you remember that summer at Grandma's beach house?" she asked. "You were terrified of the water. Dad had to carry you into the ocean while you cried the whole time." I laughed softly, buying myself a second to think.

"How could I forget?" I replied. "It feels like a lifetime ago." Ava frowned. "What about your sixteenth birthday?" she continued. "You swore you'd never forgive me for ruining your cake." I smiled again, hoping it looked convincing. "You always did have a talent for causing trouble." Instead of laughing, Ava simply stared at me, her smile slowly faded, that didn't look good

"Are you... really Isabelle?" The question landed like a slap,The conversations around us began to die down, A few nearby guests turned to look our way,

whispers spread through the ballroom.

"What's going on?" "Did she just say she's not Isabelle?” I could feel thousands of eyes settling on me,my mouth went dry.

But I remembered Renata's teaching. Isabelle wasn't weak. “Of course I am Isabelle.” I said confidently “I have been through a lot these past months and my own sister that I haven't seen for three years now questions my identity.” With that said everyone believed and they all continued the celebration but Ava wasn't convinced.

Before she could say anything Arlo appeared beside us, his expression was calm, almost unreadable. "Ava," he said evenly, "would you excuse us for a moment?" She hesitated before nodding.

"Of course." Arlo rested a hand lightly against my back and guided me away from the crowd, leading me into the quiet hallway outside the ballroom.

The music became muffled as the doors closed behind us, he turned to face me.

For several long seconds, he didn't speak

He only watched me, then, in a voice so quiet it was almost gentle, he asked, “I've been watching you since Ava's arrival.” He said calmly “You've not been at ease.” I didn't know what to say “Well, it been long and I didn't expect to see her here.” I said that hoping he believes but It didn't look like it did, then he spoke again. "Do you actually know her..." He took one slow step closer. "...or are you just stalling?"