Chapter 118

Lucas stood beside his polished black Lamborghini, his tall frame exuding effortless elegance. The morning sunlight caught the sharp angles of his face as he checked the address again.

Silveke Harbor was the estate Alexander had purchased for his late wife, Isabella's mother. The property was legendary among New York's elite, its value beyond measure.

The mansion bore the name of Isabella's mother, Seraphina Lockwood. That's why she'd chosen the alias "Lina" when they first met.

His thoughts were interrupted by the creak of the front gate.

Isabella stood on the stone steps, shielding her eyes against the sun. Today, Lucas wasn't in his usual tailored suit. The light blue linen jacket and khakis made him look almost approachable.

She'd never seen him dressed so casually. The man who usually looked like he'd stepped off a magazine cover now seemed... human.

Pity about his personality.

As she approached, her fluffy bunny slippers peeked out from beneath her silk pajama pants. Lucas's gaze dropped to her feet, his lips twitching.

"See something interesting?" Isabella wiggled her toes defiantly.

"You always wear stilettos. This is... new."

"Your observational skills are pathetic." She crossed her arms. "I walked around like this for three years while we were married. Guess I was invisible back then."

Lucas's jaw tightened. He remembered now - how she'd always greet him at the door, spatula in hand, that soft smile on her face.

He'd taken it for granted. Now the memory burned.

"Get in the car." He opened the passenger door.

"We can talk here."

"Or we could continue this conversation inside your house?" He took a step closer, backing her toward the vehicle.

Before she could protest, his hand closed around her wrist. In one smooth motion, he deposited her in the leather seat and locked the doors.

"Lucas! Unlock this right now!"

"Safety first." The engine roared to life. "And I know you'd bolt given half a chance."

Isabella yanked at the door handle uselessly as Lucas leaned across her. His cologne - something woodsy and expensive - filled her space.

"What the hell are you—"

"Seatbelt." His fingers brushed her waist as he secured the buckle. "Wouldn't want my ex-wife getting hurt."

She recoiled like she'd been burned. "Where are you taking me?"

"You promised to collect your things today. I'm making sure you keep your word."

"I was going to!"

"Forgive me if I don't trust you." The Lamborghini purred onto the highway. "Between our marriage and now, how many lies have you told me, Isabella? Was anything real?"

She laughed, the sound brittle. "If that's what you believe, why bother asking?"

The words hit like a physical blow. Part of him wished she'd never loved him at all - it would make everything simpler.

As Manhattan blurred past, Isabella reclined her seat and closed her eyes. Out of sight, out of mind.

"I'm sorry." His grip on the wheel turned his knuckles white.

"For which part?"

He'd changed since the divorce. The stubborn, prideful man she'd married now apologized with unsettling frequency. Had Vanessa been giving him lessons?

"I didn't know Nathaniel was your brother."

"Water under the bridge." She waved a dismissive hand.

"But why didn't you tell me?"

Her eyes opened, sharp as emeralds. "If I'd said Nathaniel meant nothing to me back then, would you have believed me?"

Lucas swallowed hard.

"Didn't think so." She turned to the window. "This world judges women harshly. If I weren't Nathaniel Lockwood's sister, if I were just Lina, you'd still see me as some gold-digging social climber."

She shrugged. "The opinions of strangers mean nothing to me. Only the people I love matter."

The color drained from Lucas's face. Did that mean... he no longer mattered to her?

The silence stretched until he cleared his throat. "Your brothers are Nathaniel and Adrian. So your other brother... Elijah Lockwood? He took your mother's name?"

Isabella's head snapped around. "Lucas." Her voice could have frozen hell. "You're crossing a line."

"I just—"

"Listen carefully." She leaned forward, every word precise. "I've tolerated your prying because I'm a Lockwood. We're raised to be civilized. But dig into my family again, and I don't care who you are - I'll make you regret it."

Lucas exhaled slowly. "I didn't investigate him. When we met, something felt familiar. Later, I checked my old military academy yearbook and recognized him."

Isabella turned back to the window, effectively dismissing him.

After a moment, Lucas tapped his Bluetooth. "Daniel."

"Yes, Mr. Kingsley?" His assistant answered instantly.

"Have a pair of heels delivered to Windermere Estate. Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, or Manolo Blahnik. Size 36."

Isabella's eyes widened. Those were her favorite brands.

"Right away! Should I send Mrs. Kingsley's usual style?"

Lucas's gaze dropped to her slippers. "Something special."