Page 103 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“She wants to see the new Disney movie.”

He’d asked Skylar what she wanted to do earlier that day. Apparently, Disney was releasing their latest live-action and shemustsee it. As Skylar and Olivia usually always watched Disney movies together, he had called Andrew. It was Olivia’s eighth birthday in a few days, her party was scheduled for the following weekend. As it was Star’s weekend with Skylar, she and Damian would attend, although Andrew had told him he was more than welcome. He knew he was, but he hated to overstep. So instead, he had suggested Andrew, Olivia, and Ana, his new girlfriend, go to the cinema with the girls, along with Isabella and himself. They would no doubt go out for a kid-friendly dinner afterwards, and then Skylar would spend the night at his apartment.

“I love Disney movies,” Isabella said.

Christian grinned at her excitement.

“That’s good news. You’ll join Skylar, Olivia, and Ana in your joy. Andrew and I will just be there to keep you company.”

Isabella looked pleased when he announced they would not be alone. She seemed to have hit it off with all his friends, become part of the crowd. He had a feeling he wouldn’t be the only one who’d miss her when she was gone. She had a way of impacting the lives of those around her. It had devastated Skylar when he told her Isabella wouldn’t be staying. She’d sobbed and begged him to make her.

“Make her stay, Daddy,” Skylar’s voice was desperate.

“I can’t do that, Skylar. That’s not fair to her business partner and all Isabella’s friends in Thailand. They all love and miss her as much as we will.” It had been hard seeing his daughter so upset, but it had been inevitable from the start. A twist of fate had brought her into his life, but her life was going to take her away from him. “Sometimes we have to let the people we care about go. It’s not like you’ll never see her again. You can come with me and visit her when I go on business trips, if it’s in the holiday.”

He made that promise, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to see Isabella again once she left. She had ingratiated herself into his life. It was like she had become a part of him. He had never slept so deeply, eaten so healthy, loved so well. When she left, he was going to need to cut ties. Long distance would never work for them. What they had was too strong. A clean break was probably for the best. But he would discuss that with Isabella nearer the time. They still had a month... and if that was all they had, he sure as hell was going to make the most of it.

∞∞∞

The phone rang at seven AM. Christian was already up and dressed, ready to depart for the office.

“Star has gone into labour,” Damian’s flustered voice came over the phone.

“Great news,” Christian said.

His mind went back to when Lily called him to say she would give birth to Skylar later that day. He hoped Star was more relaxed.

“We’re heading to the hospital now. My parents have Skylar. We thought it was easier for you and school. She’s staying the weekend with you, but Star wondered if you would bring Skylar to the hospital later to meet her baby brother or sister?”

Christian squeezed his throat to help remove the lump that had formed. The fact they were asking, when he knew how excited Skylar was…

He coughed.

“Of course. Just let me know what time. We can come whenever. Let me know when Star has the baby, and Isabella and I can bring her up. There’s no way I would keep Skylar from her sibling. I’m just grateful you are still letting her stay with me this weekend.”

It was Damian’s turn to be silent, he heard some mumbling and what sounded like the phone being dropped.

Star’s voice appeared on the line. “Skylar is with you, Christian. It will help no end if you have her stay with you. She wants to see her baby brother or sister, but she is also incredibly—Awwww, sorry, another contraction,” she said breathlessly. “Damian will call you later. We need to go... and Christian, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now concentrate on you, and we will see you later.”

Christian ended the call and looked at Isabella, who was staring at him, having just entered the room.

“I’d better get a baby gift today by the sound of it,” she said, grinning. “I remember when May went into labour with Kalaya. I paced the floor more than Arkhom.” The look Isabella gave him let him know she had seen straight through him. “Skylar is going to be very excited. I’ll get her a teddy to take. I’m sure Damian and Star have something for her to give the baby, but it will be nice for her to arrive with a gift.”

Christian walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist, his chin resting on the top of her head. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that. But if it is too much. I can get Lucy to arrange something.”

Isabella tilted her head back and scowled at him. “Lucy can arrange for some flowers to be sent to Star and Damian’s home when they leave the hospital. Presents, however... no, I’ll arrange those.” As if to take the sting out of her words, she went up on her tiptoes and placed her lips against his. “But in the meantime, I have an important breakfast meeting with your best friend, who is also a slave driver.”

Christian knew Sebastian was taking his new role incredibly seriously. From what he had gleaned from Isabella, he was impressing the board with his work ethic and the ideas he had for strengthening the business and helping it grow in the future. Christian had known his friend would be up for the job, therefore, this news had not surprised him.

“Go,” Christian said, swatting her behind as she moved to go past him.

Isabella wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled his mouth to hers, her tongue snaking between his lips and tangling with his. It was over as quickly as it began, with Isabella laughing all the way to the front door.

“That can sustain you until this evening. Now get your arse in gear if you want to share your driver. I cannot be late.”

Christian gulped down the last dregs of his coffee, a smile gracing his face as he followed her out of the door.

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