Chapter 445

The week started like any other for Isabella Sinclair.

Between her demanding schedule at Vetra and YodaVision, she barely had time to breathe. By Tuesday evening, exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders as she stepped into the elevator.

She glanced at her phone, noting the date.

Nathaniel Graves, equally drained from the day’s work, caught the flicker of tension in her expression.

"Tomorrow’s the last day of the cooling-off period, isn’t it?" he asked quietly.

Isabella tucked her phone back into her bag. "Yes."

After years of entanglement with Alexander Whitmore, it was finally coming to an end.

Nathaniel wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved for her or saddened. He despised Alexander, but knowing how deeply Isabella had once loved him made the situation bittersweet.

Still, some things had to end, no matter how painful.

Once the divorce was finalized, she could truly move forward.

He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze but said nothing more.

The next morning, after her usual run and breakfast, Isabella settled at her desk, ready to dive into work.

Then her phone rang.

Alexander’s name flashed on the screen.

They had agreed—once the cooling-off period ended, they would finalize the divorce immediately.

She answered. "Hello."

Before he could speak, she said, "I’ll be there at nine tomorrow—"

"I’m overseas on business," he interrupted.

She stilled.

He continued, "I won’t be back in time. We’ll have to delay the registration."

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Sensing her silence, he added, "I’m sorry. This is my fault."

She exhaled sharply. "Understood."

Without waiting for another word, she hung up.

Rubbing her temples, she tried to steady her breathing—but her phone rang again almost instantly.

This time, it wasn’t Alexander.

Sebastian Ashford.

Her frown deepened.

Given her frequent visits to the military base, avoiding him entirely would be impossible.

She liked him—just not in the way he wanted.

Answering now would only encourage him.

But ignoring him felt rude.

After a brief hesitation, she picked up. "Hello."

Sebastian’s voice was warm, almost teasing. "Busy?"

"Very."

He chuckled. "I haven’t started my leave yet, but I had a free moment. Thought I’d call."

A pause. Then, with deliberate lightness, he added, "Even if it annoys you, I regret to inform you—I don’t plan to stop."

She blinked.

Before she could respond, he asked, "How have you been? Still drowning in work?"

"Yes."

"And the divorce?"

She stiffened.

He continued carefully, "I know it’s forward, but I have to ask—wasn’t tomorrow the day?"

He didn’t know the details, but he’d always assumed Alexander was the one pushing for the divorce, and Isabella had simply agreed.

So before she could answer, he added, "I’ll be free in a few days. Once I am—"

"Postponed," she cut in bluntly.

His smile faded. "Why? Did you change your mind, or…?"

"Business trip. He won’t be back in time."

A beat of silence. Then, cautiously, "So once he returns, you’ll go straight to finalize it?"

"...Yes."

Good.

Sebastian exhaled in quiet relief. By the time his leave started, she’d be free.

Not that he said that aloud.

Isabella took a breath. "Mr. Ashford, the reason I answered was actually to—"

"I know," he interrupted, amused. "You were going to say that answering doesn’t mean you’re interested, that it’s just politeness, and maybe to gently reject me again."

She opened her mouth.

"I know," he repeated, chuckling. Her honesty was oddly endearing. "But my stance hasn’t changed."

Then, before she could argue, he added, "I don’t have much time now. Once I’m done here, I’ll find you for dinner. See you soon."

He hung up before she could protest.

To be continued...