Page 74 of Isabelle and the Beast

The castle feels so empty without Isabelle. My days are long and boring. I spend most of my time in the theater, watching the movies we watched together, trying to gather my courage to call my brother Henry and ask for his help. I could hide out here in the castle for a while longer, but at some point, I need to live.

My phone rings with a call from Aunt Agatha. I snort as I pick it up. “Hello, Aunt.”

“Adam, my dear, what a mess you’ve made.”

If there’s one thing I don’t need, it’s my aunt rubbing my failures in my face. “Thank you for instilling your confidence.”

“Oh, hush, you cheeky boy.”

I chuckle. “Why exactly did you call? Just to chastise me?”

“Of course not. I want to know if you’re going to face your fears or let them rule you.”

I lay back on the sofa, my hand covering my eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do. You’re probably lounging somewhere in the castle, whining about your disappointing life and how much you wish you could just ignore the real life going on around you.Well, let me tell you something. No matter how hard you try, you’re going to have to face reality at some point. And that includes that idiot, Trevor Johnson.”

“You mean Tristan Jackson.”

“I don’t care. He’s an idiot and does not deserve a space in my memory bank. I’m getting old, my dear, and I’m selective about what or who earns a spot in my mind. And that boy does not earn anything from me. Not after what he did to Lily and what he’s doing to you, too.”

“I appreciate your confidence in me, Aunt, but he’s right.”

She titters a high-pitched laugh. “He’s RIGHT? About you? Nonsense.”

“It’s true,” I insist. “I’m selfish, hot-headed?—”

“Now, is that what that beautiful brunette would say about you?”

“I—” I swallow hard. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, I do. She would say that you’re wrong. In fact, shehassaid that to you, hasn’t she?”

My silence is enough of an answer for her.

“You can’t hide anymore. Enough is enough. Be a man and face the situation. Take Trevor down.”

I snort a laugh. “I’ll think about it.” But I won’t. I already know that I’m done trying.

“All right. Now that I’ve said my piece, I’ll tell you about my book club.” She prattles on for another ten minutes about her latest read, a pirate romance, which explains the eyepatch she wore last week.

We hang up, and I can’t bring myself to sit and watch the movie anymore. I rest back in my chair, staring up at the ceiling.

My phone buzzes with a text message. It’s from an unknown number. I open the message and my stomach sinks.

Unknown number

Your days in Hollywood are over. If you try to stop me, I’ll come for Lily.

There’s no question who that is. With a panic, I dial Lily’s number. Has he already gotten to her? Is she all right?

The video call rings a few times, and then she picks up, her smile lighting my whole screen. I can finally breathe. “Hey Adam! What’s up?”

“Are you all right?” The words rush out of my mouth.

She furrows her brow. “I’m fine.”

“You haven’t been contacted by Tristan?”

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