Page 74 of Isabella and the Slipper

Five? Answer me.

The cold silence stretched out before him. He tried once more.

Please answer. I’m sorry. I need you.

He waited another ten minutes before giving up, tossing his phone on his nightstand. He climbed into bed and closed his eyes. Unfortunately, sleep didn’t come for a long time.

Isabella’s stomach clenched as they pulled up to her house. Savannah waved at her from the car window. “Call me tomorrow.”

“I will,” Isabella promised.

She steeled herself for a huge lecture—and possibly worse—before opening the door. Elenore stood in the living room, steely black eyes staring right at her. Isabella had no excuses. She’d left the gallery, and Elenore knew it. Nothing would ward off her punishment, so she stayed silent.

“Where were you?” Elenore said, her voice icy.

Isabella stared back. Nothing she could say would help. She pressed her lips together.

“Answer me!”

Delilah came in the living room, her dress swooshing. She stopped dead, assessing the situation. “What happened?”

Elenore walked around Isabella, her arms folded across her chest. “Isabella left the gala. Left me stranded. Made me look like a fool.”

Delilah’s face shone with glee. “Ooh, you’re in big trouble.”

Elenore held out her hand. “Your phone. Now.”

Isabella balked. She’d never gotten around to taking Chase’s name out of her phone. Would Elenore find it in there? She hesitated, and Elenore grabbed her arm.

“Now!”

Elenore squeezed, and pain shot up Isabella’s arm. She cried out.

“Give me your phone.”

Isabella blinked back tears as she fished the phone out of her clutch. Elenore snatched it and let go of her arm. “Girls who sneak away during important events do not get the privilege of having their own cell phones.”

Delilah’s face held a smug smile. Isabella clamped her mouth shut and refused to give them any more ammunition against her.

Elenore held the phone up high. “This is now mine.”

Just then, her phone vibrated, a soft sound that sent terror through Isabella.

Elenore narrowed her eyes and peered at the screen. Then her cheeks reddened. “Chase Hawkins is texting you?”

“What?” Delilah yelled, wild fury in her eyes.“What?”

“Why is he calling you Five?”

Delilah turned to her, squinting, her teeth clenched together. “You?”

There was a pause when time slowed for a moment, and Isabella could see things happening in slow motion. Delilah pulled back her hand. Elenore stared at her, a look of horror on her face. Her phone vibrated again.

And then full motion returned, and Delilah’s hand slapped against Isabella’s cheek, hard. Isabella reeled back from the slap, her hands clutching her stinging cheek.

“You went to the dance. With Chase.” Delilah came at her again, but this time Isabella was ready. She ducked, and Delilah’s own swing knocked her off-balance. Delilah teetered for a moment then fell to her knees.

“Stop.” Elenore’s cold voice rang out, and Isabella froze.

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