Chapter 84

Isabella wasn't shocked when Victoria picked up. Of course Alexander and Victoria were practically glued together these days.

So what if she answered his phone?

Isabella kept her voice steady. "I need to speak with Alexander."

Victoria's icy tone dripped with recognition. "He's showering. Tell me what you want."

Tell her? Well, this did involve Victoria after all.

Charles had spotted Victoria's uncle Geoffrey and his wife Penelope in the neighborhood today. But Reginald had likely bought the villa across from theirs.

If Reginald purchased that property, it was clearly intended for Victoria's grandmother Agnes and her mother Eleanor.

So if Isabella told Victoria, would she stop them from moving in?

Not a chance.

Besides, Isabella doubted Victoria was unaware of Geoffrey's family planning to live right opposite the Sinclair residence. Telling her would be pointless - maybe even counterproductive. Isabella hung up without another word.

Over an hour passed. No callback from Alexander.

Maybe Victoria hadn't told him. Or maybe he simply didn't care to respond.

Either way, it changed nothing.

Composure intact, she dialed again. This time, his phone was off.

Her fingers tightened around her phone briefly before she called Richard instead. "Are they home?"

"No, they're out. Why?"

"Nothing." She ended the call.

Sleep eluded her that night.

At 9:15 the next morning, she tried Alexander again.

The call connected - then immediately disconnected.

She didn't know if it was Victoria or Alexander who'd hung up. Nor did she care.

Grabbing her purse, she headed out.

Soon she stood before Alexander's villa.

Richard greeted her warmly. "Mrs. Whitmore, you're back?"

Isabella nodded. "Yes."

"Shall I have lunch prepared?"

"Yes, thank you."

Upstairs, she paused outside the master bedroom before entering. Setting her bag down, she sat on the bed.

Everything remained exactly as she'd left it.

Her skincare products from when she'd stayed to care for Sophia had been returned to their places.

Even the clothes she'd taken were hanging neatly beside Alexander's in the walk-in closet.

As if she'd never left.

She didn't call again. He never called back.

Dinner was a solitary affair.

She considered asking Eleanor for help, but that would only complicate matters.

Besides, while Alexander respected his grandmother, whether he listened was another story.

After eating, she opened her laptop and buried herself in work.

Night fell.

Just as she assumed Alexander and Sophia wouldn't return, car headlights illuminated the driveway.

Sophia noticed first. Spotting Isabella's car, she turned excitedly to Alexander. "Dad! Mom's home!"

"Hmm."

Alexander glanced at the familiar vehicle before entering with Sophia.

Sophia immediately asked Richard, who'd come to greet them. "Where's Mom?"

"Mrs. Whitmore is upstairs."