Chapter 279

Isabella Sinclair collapsed onto her bed after working nonstop for thirty-six hours straight.

She had meticulously documented every crucial detail and emailed the files to Nathaniel Graves. Exhausted, she dragged herself downstairs for breakfast.

Nathaniel's hands shook as he reviewed the materials. "This is brilliant, Bella! Absolutely perfect!"

Rubbing her throbbing temples, Isabella replied, "I need sleep. We'll talk later."

"Of course."

She slept until mid-afternoon.

When she awoke, Sophia Whitmore was quietly assembling a puzzle in her room.

"Mom! You're awake!" Sophia jumped up immediately.

Isabella nodded groggily.

"Are you thirsty? Should I get you water?"

After a brief hesitation, Isabella said, "Yes, please."

Sophia fetched the water before returning to her puzzle.

Watching her daughter concentrate, guilt twisted in Isabella's chest. She'd neglected Sophia these past days while buried in work.

But today was the final day of vacation.

Tomorrow she'd return to Innovatech, leaving even less time for her daughter.

"Sophia?"

The girl turned. "Yes, Mom?"

"When is your father coming back?"

"He said not for a while." Sophia tilted her head. "Do you need him?"

Isabella shook her head. "Never mind. Keep playing."

After finishing her water, Isabella texted Alexander Whitmore:

"Return date? I start work tomorrow. Can't watch Sophia. Come get her."

Thirty minutes later, Alexander replied:

"Two more days."

She left the conversation there.

After dinner, Sophia went for a walk with Margaret Sinclair.

Upstairs, Isabella received Nathaniel's call.

They discussed project ideas on speakerphone when Sophia returned.

Hearing the unfamiliar male voice, Sophia interrupted, "Who are you talking to, Mom?"

"Just a colleague."

"Oh..."

Nathaniel recognized Sophia's voice but said nothing. He didn't mention knowing her as a baby or having held her.

Their call lasted until 10 PM.

The next morning, Isabella returned to Innovatech.

The company had been understaffed since launching her two projects last year. Hiring was postponed due to their workload.

Now expansion couldn't wait. On her first day back, Isabella restructured teams.

Alexander had promised to return in two days.

Four days passed with no sign of him.

On the fifth day, Sophia called Isabella at work. "Mom! Dad's back! Someone's coming to get me."

"Don't forget anything," Isabella reminded.

"Can you come see me off?"

Isabella's desk overflowed with work.

She nearly refused.

Then she remembered how little time they'd spent together.

And how soon Sophia might forget her.

"Alright, I'm coming."

Sophia cheered.

Nathaniel had returned from vacation.

Seeing Isabella exhausted, he encouraged her to leave early.

But he scoffed, "Alexander drops everything for his honeymoon with that woman, delaying his return without guilt. Yet you feel guilty as the non-custodial parent? He's exploiting your soft heart—dumping the kid on you while he plays."