Chapter 107

The whisper in Alexander's voice didn't escape Isabella's notice when he discreetly passed the invitation to Margaret Sinclair's birthday celebration. She caught every nuance.

"I know," she replied simply.

Margaret Sinclair and Eleanor Whitmore shared a decades-long friendship. Under normal circumstances, Eleanor would never miss such an event.

But tradition dictated that guests older than the birthday celebrant shouldn't attend. For years, Margaret's birthdays had been quiet family affairs.

Alexander had never once attended. He always claimed work commitments kept him away.

Isabella knew better. Even when he had free time to socialize with friends, he'd make excuses. Every year, she'd ask anyway, hoping this time would be different.

This year, she hadn't bothered asking. But Margaret's seventieth birthday changed everything. Charles Sinclair had invited prominent business associates. Given the families' ties and their pending divorce status, protocol demanded the Whitmores receive an invitation.

Whether they attended remained their choice.

Isabella had planned to return to her apartment that evening. Instead, she turned the car toward Alexander's villa.

The house stood empty when she arrived. Neither Alexander nor Sophia had returned yet. Eleanor had returned to Whitmore Manor days earlier to handle family matters.

Isabella set down her purse and headed for the shower.

Thirty minutes later, the sound of tires on gravel announced their return. She remained seated, calmly drying her hair.

Sophia burst into the master bedroom first. "Mommy! We're home!" The child smelled distinctly of Victoria Kensington's signature perfume.

Isabella barely reacted, humming in acknowledgment as she turned off the hair dryer. "Have you bathed yet?"

Sophia shook her head.

"It's past ten. School tomorrow." Isabella's tone left no room for argument.

Alexander entered as she spoke. Their eyes locked briefly before she looked away.

"Mommy, help me shower!" Sophia tugged at her arm.

"Let me finish drying my hair first."

Sophia scampered off to gather pajamas.

Alexander settled across the room. "When did you get back?"

"Not long ago." She kept her attention on her hair.

He didn't press further, moving toward the walk-in closet to prepare for his shower.

Isabella remembered her purpose. She switched off the dryer and retrieved an invitation from her bag. "Grandmother's birthday is coming up. This is for the Whitmore family."

As she approached, Victoria's cloying perfume clung to him.