Page 76 of Isabella and the Slipper

“I wanted to see you.”

That was honest, right?

He looked down at the rag in her hand. “Want some help?”

“You want to clean the bathroom with me?”

“Sure.”

She shot him a skeptical look but stepped aside anyway. He took the rag from her as they walked into the back of the gallery.

“What have you been up to?”

“Cleaning up this place. It was a total mess after the gala event.”

She looked tired. He picked up the Clorox spray bottle on the back of the toilet and went to work on the tile. “You’ve been here all day?”

“Yeah.”

The strong smell made his eyes water. “You almost done?”

“Just about. We sold a painting today, so I have to do a little computer work before I can go.” She brushed a strand of hair from her face and pushed up her glasses.

“Want some music while we work?” He pulled out his phone.

“Sure,” she said, eyeballing him.

He was pretty sure it wouldn’t be a good idea to just come out and tell her he knew she was Five, but if he led her to it slowly, that might work. He pulled up The Beatles song “Yesterday” and hoped she’d get the hint that he was sorry for what happened last night.

He set his phone down on the sink and continued to scrub the floors. Isabella stared at him as the song started, but when he didn’t look at her, she went back to wiping the mirror.

He sang softly along with the song, but couldn’t help but get louder as the chorus played. She looked back at him with surprise. “You can sing. I mean, you have a great voice.”

“Singing lessons. My mom thought it would make me a more marketable actor.” He shrugged at her and gave her a smile.

The smell of bleach was starting to get to him and he stood up. “Is this good enough?”

“Yes.” She grabbed the cleaning bottles and took the rag back. “They go in the back cabinet.”

He washed his hands, then picked up his phone and followed her to the back room. When she turned, he noticed more bruises on her arm. Anger tightened his throat. He stepped in front of her.

“Was your stepmother upset at you last night?”

She peered up at him, her eyes widening a little. “Why do you ask?”

Pointing to her arm, he said, “She hurt you again.”

Isabella glanced down, her cheeks reddening. “Yes.”

Unable to stop himself, Chase pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the forehead. Guilt for everything that happened last night overwhelmed him. “I’m sorry.”

“What for?” she whispered.

He held her tighter. “For not being there for you. For putting you in the position I did.” He paused for a few moments, hoping she’d understand. When she didn’t say anything else, he said, “For making it difficult for you to trust me.”

Her breath hitched, and she stiffened. He rubbed her back, desperate to show her he cared for her, Isabella—not just Five.

Finally, she spoke. “You figured it out, didn’t you?”

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