Chapter 12

Isabella exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling beneath her composed exterior. She'd always been too accommodating with Alexander, letting him dictate the terms of their strained relationship. That weakness had cost her every chance to bridge the distance between them.

When Eleanor didn't push further after Isabella's quiet refusal to elaborate, relief washed over her.

Dinner progressed with lively chatter filling the dining room. Isabella remained silent, methodically cutting her steak into precise pieces.

Not a single word had passed between her and Alexander since he'd entered Whitmore Manor. Fifteen minutes and counting.

Their cold dynamic raised no eyebrows anymore. The household staff barely noticed.

Sophia normally relied on Isabella for assistance during meals. Lately though, she'd started turning to Alexander first.

Yet when the shrimp platter arrived, the child instinctively looked toward Isabella. Years of peeled shrimp flashed through both women's minds.

"Mommy, can I have shrimp?" Sophia's sweet voice cut through the dining room chatter.

Despite the impending divorce and custody arrangements, maternal instincts kicked in. "Of course, sweetheart."

Isabella set down her wine glass and reached for the seafood fork.

Eleanor's sharp intake of breath made everyone freeze. "Isabella, where's your wedding ring?"

All eyes snapped to Isabella's bare left hand.

That platinum band had never left her finger since their wedding day - not even when Alexander had publicly humiliated her by never wearing his. Teagan had mocked her for it relentlessly.

Isabella's fingers barely faltered as she continued shelling the shrimp. "Left it at home this morning. Rushed out the door."

The lie came smoothly. The ring currently sat in the same envelope as the unsigned divorce papers. No need to upset Eleanor before the ink dried.

Eleanor's shoulders relaxed. "Ah, that explains it."

Conversation resumed, silverware clinking against fine china.

Later in the drawing room, Eleanor orchestrated seating arrangements with matchmaking determination. Isabella found herself pressed against Alexander's side on an antique loveseat.

His familiar bergamot cologne should have made her pulse race. Instead, she focused on her crème brûlée, savoring each caramelized bite in silence.

Eleanor beamed at them. "You make such a striking pair."

Physically, perhaps. Alexander's chiseled features complemented Isabella's delicate beauty perfectly. But their marriage had always been a gilded cage.

Victoria and Catherine exchanged knowing glances but held their tongues.

At Eleanor's insistence, the entire family stayed overnight at Whitmore Manor.

When Alexander disappeared into Eleanor's study for business discussions at eight, Isabella found herself shepherding a yawning Sophia upstairs.

"Mommy," Sophia hesitated in the bubble-filled tub, "are you busy tomorrow morning?"

The hopeful glint in her daughter's eyes stung. "No, darling. Why?"

Sophia's lower lip jutted out. "Nothing."

Isabella didn't press. After towel-drying Sophia's curls, she caught the child sneaking glances at her phone.

"Nine-thirty bedtime," Isabella reminded her. "No exceptions."

"Fine," Sophia huffed, already shoving Isabella toward the door. "Goodnight, Mommy!"

The lock clicked the moment the door closed. Isabella paused. That lock hadn't been meant to keep others out - just her in. Sophia was probably texting Victoria about tomorrow's change in plans.

Back in her room, Isabella showered and changed into silk pajamas from her permanent guest closet. She settled into the window seat with legal documents from her briefcase.

Midnight approached when she realized Alexander still hadn't returned. Was he avoiding her? Working? The unanswered questions drove her downstairs.

A voice from the darkened library stopped her cold.

"Everyone's asleep. You're hiding down here because Isabella's in your room, aren't you? Can't bear to face her?"