Page 16 of Until You (Forgive Me)

Isabella loved that fact. He looked awkward. It was fun seeing someone as put together as Christian Dupree... out of sorts.

Isabella could not help the giggle that escaped. “That would be great. A private dinner would be preferable, as I know so many of the staff here.”

Before Christian could say any more, her taxi arrived. The doorman stepped forward and opened the door, waiting for her to get in.

“Until tomorrow night then,” Christian said as she climbed in and the door closed.

Christian remained standing where she’d left him as the taxi pulled out of the hotel drive, only turning and reentering the lobby when the taxi turned onto the street.

Isabella sat back and stared at the scenery, her heart pounding in her chest. She’d just agreed to meet Christian Dupree again... alone. It was true. They hadn’t had a chance to talk, but a private meal in his suite? She hadn’t lied when she had said it was preferable. She had a reputation to uphold and didn’t want or need any drama. The life Christian led was alien to her now and was not somewhere she ever wanted to return to.

Chapter Nine

Christian

An hour later, Christian found himself back in his suite, having finally said goodnight to Henri and Patrice.

The day had been an unexpected success. Their meeting with Richard, the new CEO of Asia, looked promising. Their meeting had gone better than he expected. He’d made all the right noises, and matched Christian and Henri’s vision for The Dupree Group. It was a shame he’d been unable to join them for dinner, but it was his daughter’s birthday, and he’d wanted to get home, something Christian understood all too well. Christian liked him the same way he had when he’d first met Henri. They had a similar work ethic and vision for the company, which helped settle his unease at handing over control. Expanding the business into Asia was a bold move. Handing over the reins to someone else was terrifying.

Christian dropped onto the large settee and picked up his laptop. He’d not known what to expect when Henri and Patrice had invited Isabella to join them for dinner. Since his divorce, he’d been on the end of their matchmaking attempts more times than he cared to remember. But he found he’d enjoyed having her tag along. She’d been beautiful in her yoga outfit, but when she’d walked into the bar, she’d taken his breath away. But something had puzzled him. Isabella had been open about her current life but had changed the subject whenever her past had come up.

Christian opened his browser, typingLady Isabella Kinginto the search engine.

The Missing Heiress. Drugs and alcohol - The downfall of society’s princess

Christian’s gut tightened as he read the headlines from eight years ago. His body recoiled as he read article after article. Isabella being sectioned, Isabella being placed in rehab for drug and alcohol abuse. Her sex addiction... they went on and on. The final article said she was missing. How had he missed this? Had he been living under a rock? No. He’d been going through his ownshit. After losing Lily. Signing over custody of Skylar. His brief marriage to Lindsey. As well as fighting to keep his family business from being declared bankrupt. There’d been no time for anything else. He, Christian Dupree, had been a wreck.

Christian continued reading. Isabella’s stepmother had reported her travelling. Her fiance, Edward Lebroc, had declared himself heartbroken at how far she’d fallen. How he’d tried to save her, but she needed to save herself. Christian felt sick reading their words. Instead of helping Isabella, it looked like those who should have loved and supported her had thrown her to the wolves. At twenty, why had no one helped her? The broken girl in the pictures seemed far removed from the woman he met this morning.

Christian glanced at the clock—it was three thirty in Los Angeles. Picking up his phone, he dialled Scarlett’s number.

“Christian, I thought you were in Thailand.” His sister’s voice came over the phone.

“I am.”

Scarlett was always cheerful, the polar opposite to him, and the rest of their family. If she didn’t look like him, Christian would have questioned whether someone had switched her at birth. Even with a six-year age gap, they were close. Christian knew they’d do anything for each other. It hadn’t always been that way, but it was now.

“Oh... it must be late. Is everything okay?” she asked, her concern apparent.

“Everything’s fine. I bumped into an old friend of yours today.”

There was silence. “You bumped into Izzy?”

“You didn’t mention she was here. Are you still in contact?” Christian knew he was fishing for information.

“Yes. I speak to her at least once a month.”

Scarlett sighed. Christian sensed his sister didn’t want to talk about her friend. That shocked him. Scarlett talked to him about everything.

“You sound like you don’t want to discuss Isabella. What’s going on?”

Christian assumed Isabella had cut all ties with the UK, but he’d been clearly mistaken.

“Christian, I know when you’re fishing. Izzy had a rough time. She doesn’t need you raking up the past.”

Christian fell silent. “How is seeing me going to change that? “

“It’s not... I’m sorry, Chris. After everything that happened... I’m just very protective of her. Izzy left to escape all the drama. You, my dear brother, are a press magnet.” Scarlett sighed. “What I’m trying to say is, Izzy has carved out a new life for herself. Please don’t ruin it for her.”

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