Chapter 79

12:50

The backyard was silent except for the crunch of gravel beneath Alexander's polished shoes as he stormed toward his Lamborghini. His jaw was clenched, his eyes glacial.

"Alexander!" Isabella sprinted after him, her fingers wrapping around his wrist. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Somewhere far from this place. Preferably where I never have to come back." He turned, lips curling into a bitter smirk, the fresh bruise on his cheekbone stark under the moonlight.

"You told me once that the most important people in your life were your brothers and me. We're right here. This is your home. How can you just walk away like it means nothing?" Her grip tightened, her chest aching as if someone had reached in and twisted her heart.

Alexander studied her face, his thumb brushing gently over her cheek. "You'll always be in my heart. I kept my promise to you. You're not angry with me anymore, are you?"

Isabella swallowed hard, her vision blurring.

"If you really want to respect Emeric, the best thing you can do is let me disappear from his sight. I have work to do. I'll come back to see you another time."

"Alexander." Sophia rushed forward, clutching a small bag in her hands.

He paused, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Sophia."

Her lashes were damp, her voice trembling as she held out the bag. "Inside—there are some of the new medications developed by Bright Group. They're strong, might help you. And snacks. Myra made them. She was worried you'd get hungry on the road."

A faint smile touched her lips. "It's nothing much. Hope it's not a bother."

Alexander's fingers tightened around the bag, his voice softening. "Thank you. But I have everything I need where I'm going. Don't worry about me."

He pulled Isabella into a fierce embrace, then turned and walked away. The Lamborghini's engine roared to life, tires screeching as it vanished into the night. Isabella and Sophia stood frozen in the yard, the weight of his departure pressing down on them.

"Let him go, Sophia." Isabella squeezed her shoulder. "He did what he had to. He just needs time."

"I know," Sophia whispered, pain flickering in her eyes. "He's protecting me. But he doesn't have to. I'm fine. Really."

Isabella said nothing.

Two years ago, tragedy had struck the Sinclair family like a hurricane.

Sophia's eldest son, Isabella's half-brother, and a decorated airline pilot, Harrison, had made the ultimate sacrifice. When Flight H676 malfunctioned, he steered the plane toward the ocean to save 150 passengers.

Harrison drowned on his 27th birthday.

Love was complicated, but no one could deny Harrison had been a hero.

The Maybach sped back toward Elmsworth.

Gordon kept stealing glances at Nathaniel in the rearview mirror, his stomach twisting at the sight of his boss's ashen face. Nathaniel's lips were bloodless, his knuckles white where they gripped the seat.

"Mr. Kingsley, are you—"

"Drive." Nathaniel's voice was raw.

He had stormed in, convinced he had the upper hand, certain he could force Isabella to submit. Instead, he had been humiliated beyond measure. The shattered bracelet wasn't the only thing broken—his pride lay in pieces too.

"Sir, if I may—" Gordon hesitated, then blurted, "If you want Mrs. Kingsley back, just tell the Sinclairs the divorce isn't finalized. She's still your wife. I can't stand how those women talk to you like—"

"So you think the only way I can keep her is by using legal technicalities?" Nathaniel's laugh was hollow.

"No! I just—" Gordon wiped his brow. "If you still care about her, why not just tell her how you feel?"

"Feelings?" Nathaniel's teeth ground together. "I've made up my mind. I will never remarry her."

"But tonight—"

"Drive."

The command was a whip-crack. Gordon flinched and fell silent.

Nathaniel slumped back, only then noticing the sharp sting in his palm. He unclenched his fist, revealing bloodied shards of the bracelet embedded in his skin.

He didn't understand this fury inside him, this desperate need to tear Isabella away from Sebastian. He just needed them apart.

After seeing Alexander off, Isabella went to check on her father with Sebastian and Oliver before finally dragging herself to the hallway. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message.

[Meet me in the garden. Now.]

Fifteen minutes later, Sophia, Myra, and Arabella stood before her like guilty schoolgirls.

"Nothing to say?" Isabella arched a brow, arms crossed.

Sophia stayed quiet.

Myra fidgeted.

Arabella, ever blunt, broke first. "You're the one who called us here. Why are you asking?"

Isabella massaged her temples. Arabella's logic was as straightforward as a brick to the face.

"Nothing to say about how you all ganged up on Nathaniel tonight?"

"Please." Arabella dropped onto the bench opposite her, cool as ice. "If these two hadn't stopped me, I would've had Rudi teach him a lesson hours ago."

"Who's Rudi?"

Sophia sighed. "Her pet alligator. Birthday gift from Emeric."

Isabella stared.

Myra quickly intervened. "Arabella, enough—"

"Every word is the truth!" Arabella's eyes burned. "Nathaniel is worse than Rudi! You were his wife! You gave up everything for him, and he threw you away like trash the second it suited him! I hope he rots!"

"He doesn't love me. That's all there is to it." Isabella's voice was flat. "He's marrying the woman he loves. I lost. End of story. Don't make this messier than it already is."

"Are you kidding me?" Arabella shot to her feet, gripping Isabella's shoulders. "How can you say that? You carried his child!"

The words were a knife to the chest. Isabella went deathly pale.

"Arabella! We agreed never to bring that up!" Sophia gasped.

"Don't," Myra pleaded. "Not this..."

"He doesn't know." Isabella's voice was barely audible. "I never told Nathaniel about the baby."