Page 53 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“It just happened. We didn’t plan it,” Isabella said.

“Now you sound like Christian,” Scarlett said, trying not to laugh again. “My two favourite people. Whose side do I take if you fall out?” She groaned as if the dilemma was too big. “Don’t fall out!”

“You don’t need to worry. There is no us. We were only ever an item in Thailand. What happened in Thailand was supposed to stay in Thailand. I refuse to pull Christian any further into my dramas.”

“Don’t you dare let my brother off that easily! If he was an average Joe and not some hot-shot billionaire, you wouldn’t have been photographed with him. If he’d kept his hands to himself...” Scarlett scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “I hate to break it to you, Izzy, but if you think Christian is leaving you to face this alone, you, my dear friend, are sadly mistaken. My brother is on the warpath.”

Isabella fell silent as they pulled up outside Scarlett’s flat. She’d never been there, as Scarlett had bought it as a UK bolt-hole when she returned from the US. She had, however, been given the tour when they’d had a video call when Scarlett had first purchased it.

Scarlett gave the taxi driver a tip, even though he tried to reject it. Only accepting it when she told him he should take it for being one of the most ethical people they’d met. He smiled, winding down his window as Isabella passed. “You take care of yourself, young lady. I drove your dad many years ago before he died. He was an upstanding bloke. Few like him. You look after yourself. Your secret is safe with me.”

Isabella drew in a deep, shuddering breath. Her dad had been amazing. He’d never used his status or wealth to belittle those around him. It warmed her heart to hear someone remind her of that.

“Come on,” Scarlett said. “We need to get you out of sight so I can call Christian and let him know where you are. He’s tearing the city apart trying to find you.”

Isabella was impressed with her bestie’s pad. Everything associated with Scarlett exuded elegance while still maintaining a cosy feel. Scarlett’s parents raised her in a place that felt like a mausoleum. Her mother had been warm and welcoming, but Scarlett and Christian’s father had been cold and aloof. Isabella always felt he’d tolerated her presence in his home rather than welcomed her.

“Christian, I have Isabella here... Yes, she’s fine... She found me... Look, it may be easier if you speak to her.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes as she passed Isabella the phone.

“Christian,” Isabella said.

“Izzy, are you okay?”

The concern in Christian’s voice took her breath away and set butterflies dancing in her stomach.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Isabella answered.

“Why didn’t you call?” Christian asked.

Isabella could almost picture him running his hand through his hair, falling back into his chair. She smiled at the thought.

“Calm down,” she whispered. “I’m fine. I promise. I don’t have my phone, otherwise, I would have. My stepmother has my bag, and I put my phone in the side pocket.”

“Why does she have your bag? I heard she collected you. I had my men waiting, but they got to you first.”

Isabella’s heart sped up. Christian had been there for her. How she wished his men had been the ones to collect her. “I decided I’d listened to enough of her drivel as we drove through London, so I hopped out at a set of traffic lights and left her behind.”

Christian chuckled. “I would love to have seen the look on her face.”

“So would I. But I shut the door on her before she tried to stop me. I promise, though. I’m fine. Scarlett is making me a cup of tea,” Isabella said, shooting her friend a look that had her disappearing into the kitchen.

“Let me come and get you. You can stay at my place. The penthouse is secure.”

“No, Christian. I’m staying here. If I come to you, all it will do is feed the gossip mill. You have got caught up in this because of who I am.”

“I think that’s the other way around. If it hadn’t been me, no one would have found you.”

“Neither one of us is that naïve. Someone would have found me eventually if they looked hard enough. It’s two years earlier than I hoped, but it was always going to happen. Once I took control of my trust fund, my life was always going to implode.”

Christian went silent for a moment. “You don’t know that. Izzy, you’re not alone in this,” he added.

“I know and appreciate everything you’ve done. I’ll never forget our time together. But Christian, I have to stop running. I appreciate you standing by my side, but you have your company and daughter to think about. Let me have this time to catch up with Scarlett. I need this.”

Christian mumbled something that Isabella couldn’t quite catch. She was sure he was probably cursing her and his sister. “Okay. But if you need anything, Scarlett has my number, at least until I can courier you over a new phone.”

“Christian. I’m more than capable of getting myself a new phone,” Isabella said, once again finding herself totally exasperated with this man.

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