Chapter 19

ISABELLA'S POV

“Is everything okay?” Michael had asked from behind, his voice gentle, his worried gaze searching mine.

I forced a smile.

“Yes, it’s fine,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I just need to talk to my colleague for a moment. I’ll be back soon.”

I walked in silence past the spot. James was standing to a secluded part of the garden, the air heavy with unspoken words. He followed me right after.

I could feel James’s eyes on me, but I refused to meet his gaze, my mind already anticipating the confrontation.

“Isabella, I need to talk to you,” James repeated, his voice low, now sounding like a plea, and it really was.

“Look, I know I’ve made mistakes, but I want to make things right. Can we… can we start over?”

I felt a sharp pang of anger rise within me, the memory of his betrayal still raw.

“Start over?” I echoed, dropping my face.

“James? Can you hear yourself? What are we starting over? The pretense? You told me your mind was only playing tricks on, you