Chapter 20

ISABELLA’S POV

 

 

The days after the fateful encounter feels heavier than before. I keep catching myself staring into space, replaying the moment I almost told Ethan about the twins. The words had been right there, ready to spill. Only the image of Liam’s serious little face and Lila’s soft smile stopped me. I cannot afford another mistake.

 

The always smart Sofia notices my state of mind immediately. She begins to watch me carefully during our evening tea, her expression growing more concerned with each passing day.

 

“You’re not okay,” she says. “Whatever is happening with Ethan is eating you alive.”

 

I try to wave it off, but she doesn’t believe me. The next morning, without telling me, she takes matters into her own hands.

 

 

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

Sofia walks into my office without an appointment with fire on her ass. I have never seen my assistant look so uncertain, but I gesture for her to let her through. The moment the door closes, Sofia crosses her arms and fixes me with a hard stare.

 

“You need to back off,” she says bluntly. “Isabella is barely holding it together. Whatever you’re doing, stop.”

 

I lean back in my chair. “This isn’t a game.”

 

“It is to you. You push, she breaks a little more, and you keep going. She already has enough on her plate at home right now without you making it worse. She is simply trying to rebuild her life after everything, let her breath.”

 

Her choice of words sounds so strange to me . *At home right now.* Something about the way she says it feels deliberate, yet accidental at the same time. Of course I know Isabella's father is sick and is currently recieving treatment in the hospital, but that is not a burden to her for I made sure of that even if I did anomymously.

 

“What exactly does she have on her plate at home?” I ask.

 

Sofia’s face tightens. Which means she realizes she may have said too much. “That’s not your concern. Just leave her alone.”

 

She turns and walks out before I can press further. As the door shuts firmly behind her, her words naggingly stay with me. Combined that with the panic I saw in Isabella’s eyes the last time we were together, it makes me more certain she is hiding something important.

 

I pick up my phone and call my security team. “Tighten the surveillance. I want more detailed reports, what have you guys been doing there, if you can't find out what is going in that house.”

 

 

ISABELLA’S POV

 

 

I find out about Sofia’s visit two days later. The moment she admits it out loud to me, anger flares hot in my chest.

 

“You had no right,” I tell her, voice shaking. “You can’t just walk into his office and confront him.”

 

Sofia looks guilty but stands her ground. “Someone had to say something. You’re drowning, Bella. I couldn’t keep watching.”

 

I can't believe what I am hearing. Knowing Ethan he is going to be more persistent and curious. He is going to be insufferable when we eventually see each other at the gala that we were needed to attend.

 

THE GALA

 

This high-profile industry gala arrives at the worst possible time. The Hargrove partnership is being publicly acknowledged, which means both Ethan and I are expected to attend. I dress carefully in a sleek black gown, pin my hair up, and put on a professional smile while telling myself I can survive one evening.

 

I am wrong. So wrong

 

Ethan finds me within the first twenty minutes of my arrival. He doesn’t create a scene, but he stays close ...so close enough that I feel his presence constantly. When important people approach, he introduces me smoothly as his 'partner' then take a beat before adding that we are patnering on the Hargrove deal, while resting his hand briefly on the small of my back. Every time I try to move to another group, he somehow ends up nearby again.

 

The night becomes a slow form of public pressure. I smile. I discuss market strategies and projected returns. I network with potential collaborators. And through it all, Ethan remains just close enough that I cannot fully relax.

 

At one point, a senior executive from a European firm pulls us into a longer conversation. Ethan answers questions with ease while occasionally glancing at me, making sure I remain part of the discussion. When the executive finally moves on, I take the chance to step away.

 

I walk into a quiet side hallway, needing a moment to breathe. A few seconds later, I hear footsteps behind me.

 

“You’ve been running from me all night,” Ethan says, his voice low.

 

I turn to face him. “I’ve been doing my job. Something you seem determined to make difficult.”

 

“I’m not the one keeping secrets.”

 

“You don’t get to demand anything from me,” I snap. “Not after everything that happened. Not after Natalie. Not after the way you shut me out.”

 

The argument escalates quickly. Years of frustration pour out between us in sharp, controlled words. He steps closer and I refuse to back away. The space between us shrinks until I can feel the heat of his body.

 

For a moment, I can feel the fight shifts. His eyes drop to my mouth and mine do the same. We are both breathing harder. He leans in and I do the same.

 

Our lips are only a breath apart when I finally find the strength to pull back.

 

“I can’t,” I whisper.

 

I turn and walk quickly down the hallway before I do something I will regret after.

 

 

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

I remain standing in the hallway long after she disappears, with my jaw tight and my body still wound tight from the almost-kiss. She is slipping further away even as I push closer.

 

Sofia’s words return to me again. *A lot on her plate at home.*

 

Something is wrong. Something she is desperate to protect.

 

I pull out my phone and send a short message to my guys.

 

“I want a full update. Everything, or consider yourself jobless.”

 

Whatever Isabella is hiding, I am done waiting for her to tell me.

 

I will find out myself. Damn the consequences

 

 

ISABELLA’S POV

 

 

I leave the gala earlier than planned. Once in the car, I press my fingers to my lips, still feeling the ghost of how close we came. My heart begins racing and my hands shake.

 

When I get home, the house is quiet. It is past bedtime for the kids and I can already see them asleep. I stand in the doorway of their room for a long time, watching  their faces. The sight of them steadies my reslove and terrifies me at the same time.

 

I cannot keep living like this. The pressure is increasing especially with Ethan getting closer. And I am running out of ways to keep everything from colliding.

 

I close their door softly and lean against it, with my eyes shut.

 

I have to be stronger. I have to be more careful.

 

Because if he finds out the truth now, everything I have built could fall apart.