Chapter 712

A long silence stretched between them before Alex White finally spoke, his voice hoarse. “Isabella, I’m sorry, but I still want to hear what you have to say
On the other end, Isabella Austin was quiet for so long that guilt threatened to swallow Alex whole.
“I didn’t do it.”
She spoke softly, her words feather-light yet cutting deep. “Do you really think I’m that kind of person? After all these years, do you still not know who I am?”
Her gentle tone only made Alex’s torment worse.
“I don’t know what Emily Blair told you,” Isabella continued, “but I promise you, I didn’t do it. None of it.”
Alex answered almost instantly, desperation in his voice. “Okay. I believe you. As long as you say so, I believe you.”
Isabella’s voice was calm, almost eerily so. “Alex, I just didn’t expect you to doubt me because of something Emily Blair said.”
Alex opened his mouth, his words barely a whisper. “I’m sorry
He heard her sigh, a soft sound that made his chest tighten. “It’s alright. Just… don’t do this again, okay?”
Alex managed a strained, “Okay.”
Isabella’s tone was gentle now. “I’m going to hang up, alright?””
The phone was cold and lifeless in his hand, but suddenly it felt hot-almost burning his palm. He fumbled with it. “Go ahead. Just… try to get some rest, even if you’re busy. Don’t wear yourself out.”
She responded with a quiet hum, and then the line went dead.
Alex set his phone down and, overcome with frustration and shame, slammed his fist against the hallway shoe cabinet.
He couldn’t help but feel furious with himself.
What had gotten into him? How could he let himself be swayed by Emily Blair’s words and doubt Isabella?
He never should have; he couldn’t let it happen again.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew this time, at Emily Blair.
Meanwhile, as soon as Isabella put her phone down, an arm slipped around her waist, pulling her tightly into an embrace.
Benjamin Gomez pressed against her from behind, folding her into his arms, his chin resting comfortably on her shoulder. His tone was familiar, intimate. “Who were you talking to?”
Isabella stiffened at his touch; even the slightest movement left their skin pressed together, his warm breath brushing over her neck and shoulder.
Clutching her phone, she tried to hide her discomfort. “Alex called. He said Emily Blair went to see him—and brought up the whole Matthew Ross thing.”
Benjamin hardly seemed to care. His arm tightened around her waist as he gave a low, noncommittal sound.
Seeing his indifference only made Isabella more anxious. She couldn’t help but press him. “Benjamin, when will this all be resolved? If we keep dragging this out, I’m worried Emily Blair will do something worse.”
Benjamin stayed unfazed. “What’s the rush?”
Isabella bit her lip, her face growing paler.
She turned and pressed herself against him, wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his shoulder.
“Benjamin, please… I really need you to take this seriously. I just don’t want anything else to happen
Her voice was soft, pleading. “I’m begging you, Benjamin. Don’t let me be afraid anymore, okay?”
Benjamin neither reassured her nor let on how things were progressing. He only held her tighter. “I hear you.”
Isabella bit down so hard on her lip she nearly drew blood.
It wasn’t that Benjamin refused to give her a sense of security. The truth was, he wanted to keep her close by any means.
He’d thought it all through: during those years they were together, he’d given her too much comfort, too much devotion. That’s how she’d had the confidence to leave him —and their child behind.