Chapter 74

Twenty minutes later, Alexander returned with Sophia.

Eleanor's eyes immediately locked onto the little girl, bypassing Alexander completely. Her face lit up with a grandmother's delight. "You're back, darling!"

"Hi, Grandma!" Sophia sprinted toward Eleanor. After receiving a tight hug and having her hair playfully tousled, the child finally turned to Isabella. "Hi, Mommy."

Isabella responded with a soft hum. As she embraced her daughter, the faintest trace of Victoria's expensive perfume clung to Sophia's clothes.

She chose not to comment. Instead, she simply gave Sophia a gentle push toward the dining area.

Alexander took the seat beside Eleanor and slid a carefully wrapped package across the table. "My apologies."

It contained Eleanor's favorite rare Arabica coffee beans - the kind money couldn't easily buy these days.

Eleanor recognized the peace offering for Alexander's absence during their last family gathering.

She huffed dramatically. "You've appeased me, but what about Isabella? Did you bring her anything?"

Alexander remained silent, his gaze flickering briefly toward Isabella.

Just a glance. Empty of any real emotion.

Eleanor had meant to prompt Alexander to show more consideration toward his wife.

But Isabella no longer needed such gestures.

She kept her eyes averted. "Grandma, the food's getting cold. Let's eat," she said with practiced ease.

Eleanor assumed Isabella was protecting Alexander again.

Just like all those times before when she'd make excuses for his neglect.

The older woman sighed. "You always take his side."

Isabella simply smiled, offering no defense.

Alexander's expression remained as unreadable as ever, unaffected by his wife's apparent defense.

But time was passing, and the meal couldn't wait any longer.

Eleanor stood, taking Sophia's small hand in hers. "It's been too long since we dined together, sweetheart. Sit by me tonight?"

Sophia nodded obediently. "Okay."

"Such a good girl." Eleanor shot Alexander a meaningful look as she spoke.

Isabella recognized her grandmother-in-law's not-so-subtle matchmaking attempt.

She didn't bother checking Alexander's reaction, simply following Eleanor to the dining room.

As she took her seat across from Eleanor and Sophia, she caught movement in her periphery - Alexander pulling out the chair beside hers.

Finally satisfied, Eleanor beamed. When the first course arrived, she instructed Alexander, "Serve Isabella first."

Isabella kept her gaze lowered. "It's fine, Grandma. I can—"

Her protest died as Alexander placed her favorite mashed potatoes before her.

She hesitated. "Thank you."

Silence from Alexander.

Eleanor's instructions always carried deeper meaning - she wanted Alexander to anticipate Isabella's needs throughout the meal.

So when Isabella reached for a dish, Alexander would immediately pass it. He remembered her preferences perfectly.

But this meant nothing to Isabella.

After years of these dinners, even someone with average memory would recall such details.

After dinner, Alexander engaged Eleanor in conversation.

Isabella listened quietly from the side, never initiating conversation with her husband, rarely meeting his eyes.

Eleanor sighed, noticing the complete lack of connection between the couple despite their years of marriage.

By nine, Eleanor began showing signs of fatigue, waving them off to retire for the night.