Chapter 16

ISABELLA’S POV

 

 

The third week of coming back in the United States brings a mix of exhaustion and quiet satisfaction. The house feels more like home with each passing day. My Mornings are filled with the twins’ energy. Liam is always up first, his dark hair is always tousled, already demanding to “help” with breakfast. He is two years and five months old, sharp-witted and full of opinions.

 

“Mommy, the truck is broken again,” he announces seriously one morning, holding up his favorite toy with the wheel hanging loose. “I can fix it. Watch.” He uses a piece of tape from the drawer with a surprising determination, his little tongue pokes out in concentration. When it rolls across the floor again, he looks up at me with a proud, slightly smug grin. “See? I’m smart like you.”

 

I laugh and ruffle his hair. “Yes, you are, my little engineer.”

 

Lila, bright-eyed and full of sunshine, toddles after him, clutching her stuffed bear. She is the definition of cute with her soft curls, big smiles, and a giggle that lights up the room. She reaches up for me with both arms. “Up, Mommy! Up!”

 

I scoop her up, kissing her chubby cheek as she snuggles against my shoulder. These moments with them grounds me. They are the reason I left London and came back to be closer to my family, to give them stability, and to protect them from a past they don’t need to know.

 

I visit my father almost every day. His condition is slowly improving, though the doctors remain cautious. During one afternoon visit, he holds my hand longer than usual.

 

“I’m glad you came back, Bella,” he says, his voice weak but warm. “I know the last two years were not easy.”

 

I squeeze his hand. “We’re here now. That’s what matters.” I still have not told him about the twins. The timing does not feel right yet. I want him stronger before he meets them.

 

My career as a Financial Analyst is finally gaining real momentum. I have several investor meetings scheduled, including one major session that could transform my debt-relief startup. The platform is my passion project ... helping families avoid the kind of financial desperation that once defined my early adulthood. The work keeps my mind busy and gives me purpose beyond motherhood.

 

 

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

The silence from Isabelle has left me restless and irritable. Even sitting here in a private lounge at one of the city’s exclusive clubs with my best friend, Julian I'm still restless. He is the only person who has known the full story of my contract marriage from the beginning ... the arrangement, grandmothers’ promise, the two-year plan, and the way it all collapsed.

 

Julian leans back in his chair, swirling his drink with a knowing grin. He has always been lively, sharp-tongued, and unafraid to say his mind.

 

“So you saw her at the airport and just walked past her like a stranger? You couldn't even bother stopping when you finally saw her?” Julian laughs, shaking his head. “Three years of searching, and when she finally appears, your pride wins again? Come on, Ethan. You’re not fooling anyone. You’ve been miserable since she left. Your pride is holding you back harder than that iron control you love so much.”

 

I scowl into my whiskey. “It’s not that simple.”

 

Julian raises an eyebrow. “It never is with you. You spent months losing yourself in that woman, and then you let her walk away because you couldn’t admit you felt something real. Now she’s back, and you’re still playing the cold billionaire. If you’re not going to chase her properly, at least stop pretending you don’t care.”

 

His words hit harder than I want to admit. Julian has always been the one to say what others won’t. He is right. My pride has been the biggest obstacle.

 

“The deal with Mr Cole is moving forward,” I say, shifting the subject. “The Asian and European market access is exactly what I need. Isabella is part of the collaboration. We have follow-up sessions coming up.”

 

Julian’s grin widens. “Oh, this is going to be entertaining. Forced proximity with the ex-wife you can’t stop thinking about. Try not to fuck it up again.”

 

 

ISABELLA’S POV

 

 

A follow-up meeting is scheduled at Ethan’s office. I arrive professionally dressed and mentally prepared to keep everything strictly business. The deal is too important to let personal history derail it. 

 

I walk into his office with my head high. Ethan is behind his desk, looking every bit the powerful executive. I nod once towards him, cool and polite, before taking my seat. 

 

The session begins. To my surprise no one else joins us for it. We move on to review the documents and projections. I keep my comments focused and data-driven while he does the same. All I just wanted to do is to get the work done, but the air is thick with unspoken tension.

 

As the meeting ends, I gather my things and stand.

 

“I’ll send the revised projections by tomorrow,” I say. “Please forward any additional requirements to my email. More over this could have been done through email.”

 

I turn and walk toward the door.

 

 

 

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

She is leaving again, turning back towards me again Without wasting a second. Something snaps inside me. I stand quickly and move around the desk, blocking her path before she reaches the door.

 

“Isabella, wait.”

 

She stops, her eyes flash with warning. “The follow-up is done. Send anything else to my email.”

 

I step closer. “This wasn’t just about the deal.”

 

Before she can respond, I pull her back gently but firmly, cupping her face and kissing her deeply. The kiss is hungry, desperate, filled with three years of regret and longing. For a moment, she softens, her body leaning into mine, almost losing herself in the familiar heat.

 

Then she pulls back and slaps me hard across the face.

 

The sound echoes in the office. Her eyes are blazing with anger and pain.

 

“Don’t,” she says coldly. “Don’t you dare.”

 

She turns and walks out, slamming the door behind her.

 

I stand there, my cheek stinging, my heart pounding. The slap was deserved. But the brief moment she softened before pulling away tells me everything I need to know.

 

She still feels it too.

 

 

ISABELLA’S POV

 

 

I storm out of the building, my heart racing and my cheek burning from the memory of his lips and my weakness. The kiss caught me off guard. For a split second, I almost lost myself in it ... the familiar taste, the heat, the way he used to consume me completely. But I will not let him pull me back into that world.

 

I drive home, trying to steady my breathing. The twins are waiting for me, their mother who is supposed to be clearheaded.

 

Ethan can have the business deal. But he cannot have me.