Page 20 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“That’s how you ended up here, in Thailand?”

“Partly. I met May at a yoga training school in Goa. We hit it off and continued our travels together. Her father is a minister in Thailand. When our year was up, she invited me to come back with her. We made the decision to set up the business, and the rest is history.” She needed him to understand. “I’m grateful for all the good things that have come my way. The Thai people have welcomed me with open arms. This is my home. I don’t want to return to The City and wear an ill-fitting mask.”

Isabella swore she saw understanding in Christian’s gaze. Maybe she wasn’t the only one tired of the rat race.

“Enough about me. You’re now CEO of the family business... divorced... a billionaire. You’re not the only one with the internet.”

Isabella smirked.

Christian gave a hollow laugh before taking a large sip of champagne.

“What can I say? I’ve sold my soul.”

“But you’re successful. You clearly have the Midas touch... Scarlett told me. You made the Rich List, both in the UK and across the pond. Congratulations.”

“Yes, I’m officially a billionaire. I can afford anything I want...”

Her muscles tightened.

“Except... that statement sounds hollow,” Isabella probed, wondering if maybe she wasn’t the only one harbouring secrets.

A tightness appeared around his eyes. “Am I that obvious?”

“You wear the mask well. But then it takes one to know one... But, if you don’t enjoy it, why do it? Why not hand it over to someone else, give it all up and run away?”

“If only.”

Christian’s smile failed to reach his eyes, and it touched something in the centre of Isabella’s chest. This man was hurting. The saying ‘money can’t buy happiness’seemed to be very prevalent at that moment.

Christian looked up. “I have a daughter,” he said, his eyes coming alive.

Isabella felt her heart sink. Was Christian in a relationship? Scarlett hadn’t mentioned Christian having a child.

“Skylar... She’s just eight.”

Isabella’s confusion must’ve shown on her face. “I didn’t think you and your wife had any children?”

“Correct. Lindsey and I were purely an arranged marriage. We lived very separate lives. Skylar is my daughter with a woman named Lily.”

Realisation hit... Rumours had it he was in love with a West End actress named Lily, but then suddenly announced his engagement to Lindsey. She’d been finishing her placement. Scarlett had just left for America, and then her father died. So that was all she’d heard.

“Are you with Lily now?” Isabella asked, unsure she wanted to hear the answer.

Christian shook his head, his eyes dropping to the ground in front of him. “No, she died eight years ago, not long after Skylar was born. Her younger sister, Star, adopted Skylar.”

One look at Christian told Isabella all she needed to know. Christian was hurting. Moving the cushion to one side, she uncurled her feet and lent forward before resting her hand on top of his. His gaze moved to where their hands touched.

“I’ve been back in her life for the past year,” Christian added

Isabella squeezed his hand, drawing his attention once again to her face.

“Do you have any photos?” she asked, wanting to help pull him out of whatever hole his memories had dropped him into.

Isabella was relieved when Christian gave her a genuine smile before pulling out his phone. He went to his camera roll and flashed a whole reel of pictures of the most beautiful little girl Isabella had ever seen.

“Oh, Christian, she’s beautiful.”

“She is. She takes after her mother,” Christian said, smiling down at his phone. “I’ve been lucky. Star has let me be a part of her life.”

---