Page 122 of Until You (Forgive Me)

Christian looked down at his twelve, nearly thirteen-year-old daughter and smiled. Skylar and Isabella had developed a strong bond and close friendship. He thanked his lucky stars every day Isabella had been the one to come into their lives.

A tapping sound came over the tannoy.

“Welcome, everyone,” Isabella said into the microphone. “I am pleased so many of you could make it today.”

Isabella smiled as she looked to her left, where May and Annelise stood grinning. May gave her a thumbs up. She’d been ecstatic when her two friends had arrived a couple of days earlier to be part of the opening ceremony. To Isabella, today was as much about her friends as it was her, and it was one more thing he loved about her.

When Isabella glanced to her right, he saw her lock eyes with Scarlett and Sebastian, who were standing side by side with some of the other board members of The King, Lebroc and McCarthy Group. Sebastian had permanently left The Dupree Group after being offered a partnership with The King and Lebroc. He’d been voted into the permanent role of CEO after a mere six months. Christian had been happy for his friend.

Isabella continued with her speech.

“Thirty-five years ago, my father, Dominic King, and his best friend, Pierce Lebroc, had a dream. With that dream, they opened their first hotel. Over the next twenty-five years, that first hotel became part of a successful chain, which now has hotels around the globe.

It has taken three years to make my dream come true. A dream that began in Goa, India, twelve years ago when I was twenty-one. I’ll save you the maths. I’m thirty-two now.” The crowd laughed. “It is somewhere I went to recover after the death of my father. Hospitality is in my blood, but while I was in Goa, I also realised the importance of mindfulness and taking care of the human spirit. It is with great pleasure that King, Lebroc and McCarthy have joined forces with the original Retreat owners to bring The Retreat II here. Today, we open and fulfil my dream. Thank you.”

There was a thunderous round of applause. The press stepped forward, asking for photographs of everyone together, after which several reporters fired questions for their articles.

The rest of the crowd entered the newly renovated building, leaving Isabella to stand, watching. She could not hide the enormous smile that split her face, her eyes twinkling.

Over the next couple of hours, hundreds of well-wishers surrounded Isabella, May, and Annelise as the doors to The Retreat II finally opened. He had lost count of the number of people who had congratulated him on his wife’s success.

Christian entered the hotel lobby and stared at his wife, who was standing beneath the chandelier, staring up at the sweeping staircase that led to the guest rooms. A small smile graced her lips. He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers.

“You were amazing. I’m so proud of you,” he said, resting his forehead against hers, meaning every word. He still couldn’t believe the woman in front of him had chosen to be his.

“Thank you. But I couldn’t have done it without your and everyone else’s support. I can’t believe so many people showed up.” As with everything, Isabella took nothing for granted. A bright light shining in the darkness. She attracted people to her like a moth to a flame. She had certainly attracted and saved him, and he could not love her more.

“Why? You did it... you, May and Annelise,” he said, stepping back, linking his fingers with hers. “Where are the other two?”

Isabella grinned. “They’re showing our visitors around. I wanted a five-minute breather and to catch up with my sexy hubby.”

She wrapped her arms around Christian’s neck, his body responding instantly to her closeness. Her lips touched his, and he deepened their kiss.

“Get a room,” an amused voice came from the doorway.

Christian pulled back and stared at his twelve-year-old daughter, who was standing grinning at them both. Christian held out a hand, and she ran into their embrace.

“Congratulations, Izzy,” she said. “This is amazing. I can’t wait to try out the new yoga studios.”

Christian watched as Isabella looked down at his daughter, love radiating from her eyes. These two had developed a firm friendship, especially since Skylar had developed a love for yoga. A love that had either he, Star, Damian, or Isabella driving her all over the country most weekends as she took part in yoga competitions. Ranking number three in her age group.

A grumble sounded at his feet. Looking down, Christian saw movement in the pushchair. Skylar stepped back.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got him,” she said, swooping down and scooping her three-month-old brother, Harry into her arms.

She was the best big sister. The blanket next to him moved, another small leg kicking free, before a howl went up. “Looks like Amelia is awake.” Christian bent down and pulled his daughter out, snuggling her into his shoulder.

“You might want a muslin on your shoulder,” Isabella said, grimacing as milky bubbles escaped Amelia’s mouth, coating his suit jacket.

“What’s a little upchuck among friends?” Christian heard himself say.

He couldn’t believe the transformation his wife and children had invoked in him since their miraculous appearance.

“You sound like your wife when I first had Kalaya,” May said, stepping into the room before grabbing a muslin and draping it over his shoulder. “Baby milk doesn’t smell good after a couple of hours.”

“Thank you,” Christian said. He liked May, she was straight-talking, and he knew he had her to thank for helping to convince Isabella to give him a chance. He’d never felt worthy of the wonderful woman who now stood next to him and had agreed to share his life. But she had seen something in him, something that called to her as much as she called to him.

“Annelise wondered if Skylar wanted to join the class?” May said, smiling at his daughter.

---