Page 63 of Until You (Forgive Me)

Isabella held out her hand, only to have herself pulled into an awkward hug, Star’s bump colliding with her stomach.

“Sorry, you’d think I was used to carrying a beach ball in front of me by now,” Star apologised.

“Please don’t apologise. My best friend and business partner in Thailand has just had a baby. Kalaya is four months old. I watched May navigate the world with a bump.”

Isabella smiled, finding herself instantly at ease.

Star stopped when a small body came up and held her hand, looking up at her. Isabella watched as Skylar tugged on Star’s arm.

“Oh, sorry Skylar... Skylar, this is Isabella. Isabella, this is Skylar, Christian’s daughter.”

Isabella looked at the young girl. She’d been held up somewhere else as she’d not entered with them. Skylar was the spitting image of Star. Her looks were clearly her mother’s, except instead of being dark, she was fair, like Christian.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Skylar,” Isabella said, holding her hand out.

Skylar took her hand and tilted her head as if appraising her.

“You’re beautiful. I love the colour of your hair,” Skylar said, staring at Isabella’s hair.

“Thank you. I take after my mother. She had red hair,” Isabella replied.

“I look like my mummy, but my hair is the same as Daddy’s,” Skylar said, her words sending a lance of pain through her chest. “It also means I look like Mummy Star, as she and Mummy Lily looked the same. Did you know my Mummy Lily? I know you’re friends with Aunty Scarlett. She told me you were friends growing up and how you knew my daddy.”

Isabella’s eyes shot up and met Scarlett’s. She’d just entered through the door, and it explained why Skylar had not come in with Star and Damian. Christian stepped forward, but before he could say anything, Isabella spoke up.

“No, I didn’t know your Mummy Lily. But Aunty Scarlett is right. I grew up knowing her and your daddy. Our mums were best friends, and we lived next door to one another.”

Isabella’s words seemed to pacify Skylar, who moved over to Christian and threw her arms around him.

“Daddy! Mummy said we could visit. Can I go upstairs and play with my dolls?”

Isabella’s heart melted as Christian knelt down and kissed the top of her head before sweeping her forward into a bear hug. “Is that all I’m good for? Somewhere to house all your dolls?” he asked, tickling her until she was squealing for mercy.

Isabella looked over to Star and Damian, who were smiling at Christian’s interaction with their daughter. This had to be the strangest, yet best co-parenting she’d ever seen. Skylar certainly seemed to thrive under it.

Christian finally released Skylar after she begged for mercy, and Scarlett stepped forward to rescue her niece. Skylar was still breathing hard and giggling as she ran upstairs, holding Scarlett’s hand.

“She’s beautiful,” Isabella said without thinking.

“Thank you,” Star said, smiling and taking her arm, moving them both towards the sofa. Using her free hand to rub her lower back.

“Sorry, I need to sit down.”

“Of course,” Isabella said, moving them both to sit while Christian went to the kitchen to make some drinks. Damian hovered before Star shooed him away.

“How are you holding up?” Star asked, turning on the sofa to stare at her.

“I’m sorry,” Isabella said.

Star raised an eyebrow. “What are you apologising for? How is any of this your fault? Christian said you wanted my opinion?” Star said. “My opinion doesn’t matter. If I’ve learned one thing in this life, you have to do what’s right for you. If you constantly worry about everyone else around you, you’ll never move forward. I appreciate you’re thinking about Skylar and how this affects her, but it’s unnecessary.”

Isabella stared, open-mouthed. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but it hadn’t been this.

“I didn’t mean for any of this to affect you.”

“Can I be honest? It’s clear Christian cares about you,” Star said, holding her gaze, and before Isabella could say anything, Star continued. “The pictures spoke a thousand words.”

Isabella felt the colour rush to her cheeks. “Oh god,” she said, making Star laugh.

---