Chapter Four...

A month after their wedding, Isa, not able to get rid of that memory, had brought it up with Douglas and Douglas had assured her she had nothing to be afraid of. 

In his words, he had come to adore her and was willing to let go of his past love yearnings for her sister. 

Why wouldn't he? She had sacrificed a lot for him. She had been there for him, the company had stayed afloat and he was grateful to her. And no, she didn't regret any of it. 

But why was she feeling…uncertain? Why was she feeling so uneasy…so anxious?

There was a rap on the door and a second later Isabella's assistant walked in beaming with smiles. 

“Ma'am, it's all set now. The commissioner will be on air soon. I think the announcement will be made soon. Congratulations ma'am,” Miss Clara announced.

Isabella sprung to her feet and grasped Miss Clara’s hands. 

“Really?”

“Yes ma'am,” Miss Clara nodded.

“But… What if I got it all wrong? What if he announced a different place? What if the commissioner announces South Street Seaport or Industry City or another place… what if…”

Clara reached forward and squeezed her shoulders calmly. 

“It will be fine ma'am. I'm sure it will work out well.”

Isa felt her heart race and her palms all sweaty. She scampered to the mini fridge in her office and grabbed a bottle of drink. Corked it open and gulped half of it. 

“Take it easy ma'am…” Miss Clara tried to stop her.

“No, I can't watch with my clear eyes. I'm so nervous right now. What if I got it all wrong and all of the money I spent became a waste? What am I supposed to tell Douglas? The company will be doomed and my husband will…”

“Oh gosh, you are a real mess right now, Isa. Calm down okay?” Crystal assured her. 

“Fine. I'm calm… I'm calm…”

The commissioner for the department of Housing Preservation and Development came on. Miss Clara turned on the volume of the television. 

Isa turned her back against the television. She tried not to listen as her heart hammered against her chest. She really would be doomed if things didn't go her way. 

“Ma'am! Ma'am! the commissioner just announced Hudson Yards as the redevelopment area!” Miss Clara screamed and in a flash Isa fell into her arms and they hugged tightly. 

But Isa broke free abruptly. “I have to go now…” 

“Go? Where?”

“Where are you rushing off to? You should celebrate. This is huge. You can start by taking me to Channel fine jewelry boutique. I could use a new handbag,” Crystal said. 

But Isabella had already grabbed her bag and an important file and was darting out. 

“I have to go see my husband!” She called behind her happily as she rushed out. 

“Ouch! Sorry!”

Isabella groaned as she ran into a figure on her way into the house. 

Her eyes widened in astonishment on the realization of the owner of the body she had just bumped into. 

Raymond Walter's lips curled up. 

“Why do you always bump into me? Do you intentionally do this?”

“Because we live in the same house?” Isa scoffed at the ridiculous question.

“Right. I almost forgot since I haven't seen you around for a while now. By any chance, have you been avoiding me?” He leaned forward, his intent gaze piercing deep into her. 

Isa swallowed swiftly avoiding his gaze. These past months, she had tried harder to avoid him more than she had ever avoided anyone in her life. Not even when she had mistakenly confessed her feelings to a blonde guy in high school. 

Sometimes it worked, other times it didn't. Like that moment. 

Her eyes swept down him. He looked cool as usual. Draped in a sweatshirt as if he were headed to a casual place. 

She looked up at him. His deep blue eyes held her. 

He grinned and her heart jolted. That damn dazzling smile again. They did something strange to her. Something she both hated and yet desired. 

She mentally slapped herself back. 

“Get a grip, Isa! You are married!”

“Congratulations. I hear the commissioner just announced Hudson Yards as the next redevelopment area. My little brother surely hit a diamond marrying you, I'm jealous.” He folded his arms, his head tilting. 

“Say, why don't you come work for me. I will pay you more than you are paid where you are right now.”

“What? Are you trying to scout me?”

“Uhm,” he smacked his lips as if reconsidering what he had just said. 

“But before that…I have a question for you…”

“What?”

“Your husband…” he paused, hesitant. “No, nevermind.”

Isa shook her head. She was in a hurry and didn't have the time for whatever he was trying to say. 

She turned to continue her way into the house. 

“Do you love him?”

But his words caused her to halt. 

She didn't turn around. 

“Do you love him?” he asked again. 

Slowly she turned to face him. 

“Don't you think you are getting closer than you should? You are my husband's brother and should know your place.”

“No, I think I might have asked the wrong question. Do you have feelings for me?”

Isabella stumbled back, speechless. It was one thing that this man before her made her heart flutter in ways it shouldn't. But his boldness shocked her beyond words. 

Calmly, she steadied her stance. 

“He is my husband. Of course I love him.”

She saw a glint of disappointment flash through his eyes. 

“And the other question?” 

“I can't love two people at a time. That means I feel nothing for you. Now, if you will excuse me, I have somewhere to be.”

She started to leave but he pulled her back. 

“Must you go to him now?”

Isa was even more dumbfounded. Surely there was something wrong with the man before her and it was nothing about feelings now. 

“Come with me. I have something to show you,” he added, grasping her wrists firmly. 

“Mr Raymond Walter, what do you think you are doing? What will people say when they see you right now?” She mumbled, struggling to free herself from him.

“You must have not heard but I usually don't care what other people say.”

Now Isa was infuriated. She wrenched away from his hold. 

“What? You don't care about what other people say? And what about me? Do you think I don't care about what other people say as well? I just told you, I can never feel anything for a man like you.”

His eyes flamed. He tried to speak but winced instead. 

But he grasped her wrist again. “Follow me,” 

“Stop it! You are crossing the line now!” Isa screamed. 

“Look, I might have let you throw your silly advances at me but you have to stop it now. I am married!”

Finally his grip loosened and slowly her hand dropped. 

Panting, she spun and headed for the room to find Douglas. 

“Douglas? Hon…” 

But she stopped as she heard some unfamiliar sounds.

She halted in her steps trying to identify the sound but as she moved further into the room, the sound became clearer and clearer. 

Sounds of passionate moans drifted into her ears. Her stomach churned with a mixture of confusion and dread. 

Her footsteps faltered. The excitement and anticipation fizzled away. 

“Harder! Fuvk damn!”

She heard a satisfied grunt followed by a ladylike moan.

That voice. It was way too familiar but she couldn't dare imagine it. 

“Sweetie, you don't think my foolish sister will be back so early today?” 

“Evelyn Bennett…” she gasped. 

The contract file dropped to the ground and her body froze in disbelief. 

Time slowed. A surge of shock coursed through her veins leaving her trembling and breathless. 

Few moments ago, her heart was filled with elation but now it pounded painfully against her chest as if echoing the betrayal that just unfolded before her eyes. 

“Honey, when are you finally going to give her the divorce papers?

“Soon my love.”

She heard Douglas say. 

“Soon? You have been saying soon for a while now. How much longer do I have to wait? Don't you love me anymore?”

“Don't say that. She signs an important contract soon. Contract that will make Walter Real Estate one of the best in New York. Perhaps we should give her a day or two to celebrate and then I will strike.”

“Hurry up honey. My parents can't wait for us to get married. Mother has already started picking out the best dresses in New York and she can't wait to finally kick out the good for nothing leech to where she belongs. And, are you sure your father will make you the successor of Walter Enterprises? What of your brother?”

“Although I don't trust the old man, I am sure he will. He will have no choice but to. I only feel pity for Isabella. Maybe I shouldn't kick her out. She could still be useful to the company. You know she works like a fool and doesn't care for extravagant things and I think I like that.”

“Wait… don't tell me you feel pity for her?”

“No… You know I have always wanted only you from the beginning. She may work hard for all I care. In the end, you are the only one for me.”

“Of course. You can't resist me ever.”

Then came the laughter. Loud, filled with excitement, shredding the last bits of Isabella's broken heart. 

Tears welled up in her eyes. She stumbled back. One… two… three steps. Spun around and bolted out of the room. 

Out in the hallway, she came face to face with Raymond Walter. 

His face told her he had known all along. Was he trying to stop her from witnessing what she had just seen?

She felt a knot around her throat and her swallow grated past her lump.