Page 20 of Isabelle and the Beast

“Lily was the only one who was at the age of picture books here,” I answer. “She was born right after the castle was built. Peter was already eight by then.”

“So Lily is the youngest,” Isabelle says, “then Peter?”

“Yes. I’m the oldest, then Henry, Peter, and Lily.”

“What do they all do?” she asks.

“Henry is training to replace my father as CEO of Stone Technologies. He recently started up the gaming division of the company, which led to his engagement with Luna Jones. Peter is…off traveling the world, creating some app I don’t even understand. And Lily has just been at home ever since?—”

I catch myself before I can finish thatsentence. I nearly said, “Ever since Tristan Jackson ruined her life,” but thankfully, I had enough sense to stop myself.

I haven’t come that close to disclosing Lily’s secret since…well, ever.

The enormity of what just happened hits me like a ton of bricks. What am I doing? Why am I sharing pieces of myself and my family with this stranger? What’swrongwith me?

I swallow hard and clench my jaw. Isabelle tilts her head, unaware of the change within me.

“Ever since what?” she asks.

“Nothing.” I turn on my heel and storm toward the exit. Before I leave the room, I turn back to her. “Dinner will be at six p.m. Don’t be late.”

I can’t believe I lost my head. Something about Isabelle keeps drawing me in, but I’m determined to keep her away. From now until she leaves the castle, I won’t speak to her. Not a single word. What difference would it make, anyway? She already said she won’t do the movie with me. At this point, the only thing that will happen is an accidental slip of my tongue, giving her ammunition to use against me in the press.

I won’t give her the chance.

Chapter

Ten

ISABELLE

Three nights.

I’ve been here for three nights.

The snow isn’t letting up. We still don’t have Internet or cell service. Meaning I haven’t had access to call anyone…or watch my movies.

And that also means I haven’t been sleeping. I think I’ve gathered about three hours over the last three nights. I’m getting delirious. The voice in my head—the one whisperingoutside, outside, outside—is getting louder and louder. I don’t know how much longer I can stand this.

On the second night, I thought I’d embrace my insomnia and try reenacting the “Good Mornin’” dance scene fromSingin’ in the Rain. But there’s a reason why my acting goals are set on straight movies and not musicals—I have a serious lack of dance training. So I found out the hard way that doing a somersault over a couch is not as easy as it looks.

Turns out it’snotgreat to stay up late. Now I’ve got a bruise on my shin and I still can’t sleep.

All night long, I wondered what’s going to happen when I get home. This movie was supposed to be my big break, therealization of my dreams coming true. Sure, it was just a cheesy rom-com on the Family Entertainment Network, but it was a LEAD ROLE. Now what? Am I going to get blacklisted by the entertainment industry for rejecting a role I was offered?

Is my dad worried? What about Jen? I was supposed to come home three days ago. I never even responded to her first message about what Adam looks like in person.

I’ve probably lost my job at the Cheesecake Factory, too, since I never showed up and didn’t even call to find a replacement.

I’m not crying about that one. But maybe I should be, because that’s the only way I’m able to pay my share of the rent. No job, no movie to look forward to… I’m lost.

I lie in bed every night, my mind racing, but I feel like I’m suffocating. Even though the castle is huge, the walls feel like they’re closing in on me. I’ve never been so trapped in my life.

Brigette is hovering. She’s super sweet, and I feel endeared to her, but even she is smothering me.

Even worse, Adam isn’t speaking to me. Not a single word since he left the library—except to remind me we’ll have dinner at six p.m. every night.

I’ve thought about staying in my room and freezing himout, since dinner is the only scheduled event we have between us, but it’s almost become a game at this point. Can I get anything out of him? Even a change in expression?

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