Chapter 75

Isabella gently bathed Sophia and carefully blow-dried her soft curls.

Sophia sat quietly watching her mother work the dryer through her hair. She noticed something different about Isabella today - the usual stream of cheerful chatter was absent.

Before, Isabella would fill these moments with stories about her day or funny anecdotes.

Catching Sophia's thoughtful gaze, Isabella paused the dryer. "What's on your mind, sweetheart?"

Sophia shook her head quickly. "Nothing."

Maybe she was imagining things.

Or maybe Isabella simply wasn't in the mood for conversation tonight.

Once her hair was dry, Sophia bounced onto the bed. "Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?"

Isabella hesitated briefly. "Would you like me to stay, darling?"

"I don't mind! But..." Sophia bit her lip. "You haven't spent much time with Daddy lately. Don't you want to sleep in your own room?"

Isabella forced a smile. "You're right. I'll go back later."

The divorce papers still hadn't been finalized. If she insisted on staying with Sophia when the child hadn't asked, Eleanor would certainly make a scene about it.

Leaving Sophia's room, Isabella noticed light spilling from beneath her bedroom door.

Alexander sat at the desk, fingers flying across his laptop keyboard, engrossed in work.

He glanced up briefly when she entered before returning to his screen.

Avoiding his gaze, Isabella went straight to the wardrobe. She selected fresh pajamas and disappeared into the bathroom.

When she emerged, steam curling from the doorway, Alexander remained absorbed in his work.

Dressed in silk pajamas, Isabella settled onto the bed with her skincare routine. Still early, she picked up a novel to read.

The room filled with comfortable silence as both occupied themselves with separate activities.

As midnight approached, Isabella's eyelids grew heavy. She marked her page, turned off the bedside lamp, and settled under the covers.

She expected to lie awake - it had been weeks since they'd shared a bed.

But then she remembered Alexander might leave for Victoria's place after finishing work.

He probably wouldn't even stay the night.

This thought somehow relaxed her. The rhythmic tapping of keys became a lullaby, and she drifted off surprisingly fast.

She slept deeply that night, wrapped in comforting warmth.

Morning light teased her awake to an unexpected sensation - warm breath tickling her neck.

And arms. Someone's arms around her.

Reality crashed in, freezing her limbs mid-stretch.

Her mind snapped to full alertness.

Isabella opened her eyes to find herself curled against Alexander's chest.

He held her tightly in sleep, their bodies pressed together with no space between them.

His body heat seeped into her skin.

This made no sense.

She'd deliberately slept near the edge.

There'd been ample space between them when she fell asleep.

No way she could have migrated this far across the bed.

Unless...

Unless Alexander had grown accustomed to holding Victoria like this during their separation.

He must have confused them in his sleep, pulling her close without realizing. The thought made her stomach twist.

She carefully lifted her hand from his chest, fingers curling into a fist. She began inching away.

Suddenly, Alexander's arms tightened. He pulled her closer, nuzzling her hair. "Five more minutes," he murmured against her forehead.

The sleepy kiss sent an electric jolt through her body.