Chapter 302

The moment they stepped into the private dining room at The Grandeur, Julian poured Isabella a glass of sparkling water. "Did the conference give you any breakthroughs?"

"A few."

She'd attended hoping to find fresh perspectives on the research materials Nathaniel Graves and Frederick Aldridge had shared months ago. After several sessions, new possibilities had begun to take shape.

As she sipped her water, Isabella glanced up. "How's Lily these days?"

"Much better since last autumn." Julian's expression softened. "She started school again this term, made new friends. Happy at home, happy in class." He hesitated, then added, "Still asks about you often. Maybe we could all have lunch together soon?"

Isabella nodded. "I'd like that."

Their conversation shifted from personal matters to work—collaborations, upcoming projects. By dessert, they were discussing Julian's recent partnership with Charles Sinclair. The ease between them was new; in the past, their interactions had been strained, with Isabella's attention reserved solely for Lily.

Now, without the little girl as a buffer, they spoke freely. Julian recognized the shift—not friendship, not yet, but something warmer than the icy tolerance she'd shown him before.

They parted ways after the meal.

Since moving into her own apartment, Isabella had neglected shopping. With seasons changing, her wardrobe needed updating. On Saturday, she spent an hour trying on outfits at an upscale boutique, selecting pieces for herself and the Sinclair family before collapsing onto a plush sofa to wait for her purchases.

"Isabella?"

The voice came from the store entrance. She turned to see Josephine Winslow standing there, eyes wide with recognition.

Josephine—daughter of Beatrice Kensington, just months younger than Isabella. They'd been inseparable as children, but after Evelyn Sinclair's divorce from Reginald Kensington, their contact dwindled. The last time they'd met was years ago, before Alexander Whitmore had entered Victoria Kensington's life.

Josephine had once quietly handed Isabella her entire savings—nearly a hundred thousand dollars—when rumors swirled about Reginald's failing business.

Isabella smiled. "It's been a while."

"Too long." Josephine's gaze flickered with emotion. Then concern tightened her features. "Are you... okay?"

She knew. Of course she knew—about Isabella's years of unrequited love for Alexander, about how he'd fallen instantly for Victoria.

Josephine understood Victoria's allure all too well. She'd watched countless men become entranced, including her own high school sweetheart, who'd only dated her to get closer to Victoria.

The cruel truth? Victoria was extraordinary. Magnetic.

To lose the man you loved to someone that brilliant, to stand helpless as their bond deepened—especially with the tangled history between Eleanor Kensington and Evelyn Sinclair—Josephine couldn't imagine the pain.