Chapter 43

Sophia must have been thoroughly enjoying her time with Victoria. She hadn't reached out to Isabella all weekend.

Monday arrived, and Isabella went to work at YodaVision as usual. Just before clocking out, Emily called with a dinner invitation.

During their meal, Isabella excused herself to the restroom and unexpectedly crossed paths with Julian.

Without hesitation, Isabella pretended not to see him and walked straight past.

But Julian stopped abruptly, turning his head to watch her go.

Isabella noticed but deliberately ignored him.

When she exited the restroom, Julian was still standing exactly where they'd passed each other, as if waiting for her.

"Dining here?" he asked when he saw her emerge.

His tone suggested he'd been lingering there intentionally.

"Yes," she replied coolly. Then added with deliberate indifference, "Does Mr. Montgomery think I followed you here again?"

"That's not what I meant," Julian said after a slight hesitation.

Isabella didn't care to decipher his meaning. Nor did she want to.

She walked away without another word, and Julian didn't stop her.

After leaving the restaurant, Emily wanted to buy a birthday gift for her mother. Isabella accompanied her to an upscale jewelry boutique.

Emily had just fallen in love with an emerald necklace and begun discussing the purchase with the store manager when a familiar voice interrupted from the entrance.

"Hello, I'm here to collect my jewelry."

Isabella froze at the sound.

"Ah, Mr. Kensington!" The store owner immediately greeted the newcomer with a practiced smile. After giving Isabella and Emily an apologetic glance, he hurried over. "Your custom piece is ready and packaged—"

"Isabella?"

Reginald Kensington confirmed her identity before approaching. "Here to order custom jewelry too?"

Isabella glanced at him but remained silent.

Noticing her cold demeanor, Reginald's expression darkened. "Isabella—"

She turned away, ignoring him, and instead asked Emily, "Are you sure about this one?"

Emily, unfamiliar with Reginald, nudged Isabella discreetly. The older man carried an air of refinement despite his age. "Who is that?" she whispered.

Isabella didn't answer.

But Reginald persisted. "Isabella, how have you been lately?"

She pressed her lips together before finally acknowledging him. "What do you want?" Her voice was glacial.

"Do you have to speak to your father that way?" Reginald asked gently.

"How exactly should I speak to you?" she countered icily.

"I know I've made mistakes, but you must understand I've always cared about you."

Isabella let out a bitter laugh. "Oh yes, your care. That's why you encouraged Victoria to pursue my husband and told Alexander to take good care of her. Such touching concern."

"Isabella—" Reginald frowned. "I understand your feelings, but Victoria and Alexander truly love each other. You can't force emotions, so why—"

"Exactly. Emotions can't be forced. That justified your affair back then, and now she's proudly following her mother's footsteps as a homewrecker. How noble."

Reginald's face darkened. "Isabella! When did you become so willful?"

"Willful? So if I immediately divorce Alexander to make way for Victoria, would that make me obedient?"

"Reginald, what's going on?"

At that moment, Penelope and Genevieve entered the boutique. Penelope spotted Isabella first.