Chapter 50

Isabella's eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes clouded with melancholy as they focused on the striking man before her.

He had materialized like a midnight gust, now kneeling at her feet with an intensity that made her breath catch.

"I heard my baby sister doesn't recognize her big brother anymore?" His lips curled in that familiar smirk, equal parts dangerous and affectionate.

"Sebastian." The name slipped from her lips like a prayer.

"Ah, hearing that makes everything right again."

Oliver's entire demeanor shifted instantly. The usual ice in his gaze melted into something warm and golden, like sunrise over the vineyards.

One strong arm encircled her waist while his free hand produced a chocolate bar from his pocket. With practiced ease, he tore the wrapper with his teeth and offered it to her.

"Imported. Your favorite. Taste it."

"Oliver!"

Suddenly she was in his arms, her face buried against his chest. The floodgates opened - tears of longing for her brother, guilt toward their grandfather, fury at Victoria, frustration over the shattered bracelet, and heartbreak over Alexander all poured out.

"Isabella? You're crying?" Oliver froze, then gently cradled the back of her neck.

"No." The denial was muffled against his shirt.

"My shirt's soaked through and you're telling me you're not crying?"

"I said I'm not!"

Her voice cracked but the stubbornness remained. Oliver knew his sister's pride better than anyone. The rare tears meant something was deeply wrong, so he simply held her, letting his silent presence speak volumes. His jaw tightened with unspoken rage: Isabella, I'm home now. That bastard Alexander will pay for hurting you.

Outside the door, William and Harrison exchanged glances.

"Damn him! Isabella never acts this way with me," Harrison grumbled, grinding his teeth. "He disappears for months then waltzes back in and steals her affection. I hate him!"

"The helicopter landing probably destroyed half the rose garden."

William sighed, rubbing his temples. "Tell Oliver the landscaping bill is coming out of his trust fund."

By dawn, Isabella still hadn't found the matching diamond, exhaustion finally claiming her in the workshop.

Mr. Dubois had prepared quarters for her at the estate. Oliver carried her upstairs, laying her gently on the canopied bed.

After tucking the blankets around her and pressing a kiss to her forehead, he slipped out silently.

"Couldn't even bring back a decent gift after globetrotting? Just a chocolate bar? You're getting cheap in your old age." Harrison leaned against the hallway wall, arms crossed.

"Must you always be so dramatic?" Oliver shot back.

"You should address me properly - as your elder brother!" Harrison scowled.

"I'll call you 'elder brother' when hell freezes over."

Enraged, Harrison lunged but Oliver sidestepped effortlessly, sending his brother stumbling into the wall.

"Still can't control that temper, can you?" Oliver's laughter echoed through the corridor - genuine mirth he hadn't felt in years, not amidst the constant tension of intelligence operations.

Watching his younger brothers bicker, William allowed himself a rare smile, childhood memories surfacing.

"Speaking of gifts..." Oliver's eyes gleamed as he produced a sleek silver case.

The biometric lock disengaged with a click. William's expression darkened while Harrison gasped.

"New prototype from R&D. Left trigger delivers a tranquilizer strong enough to drop a bull. Right trigger... well, let's just say it's permanent retirement. This lighter?" He flipped the elegant silver piece in his palm. "Micro grenade. Takes out a room with one flick. And this—"

Oliver's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as he revealed a stunning emerald ring. "Our sister loves jewelry, doesn't she?"

Harrison reached for it but Oliver caught his wrist in an iron grip.

"Don't. The prong delivers a neurotoxin more potent than cobra venom."

"Christ," William muttered.

"Isabella's lucky to have survived your 'gifts' this long!" Harrison exclaimed.

"You don't understand. These are practical presents."

Oliver's gaze turned arctic. "Especially for that bastard Alexander. Let's see how our sister wants him to sleep - temporarily or forever."

Harrison was momentarily speechless.

"How long are you staying?" William interjected.

"Two weeks, maybe." Regret colored Oliver's tone. "Critical mission next month requires preparation. Otherwise I'd stay longer."

"Focus on your work. We'll look after Isabella."

William hesitated before adding softly, "Will you visit Father? He asked about you recently."

Oliver's expression shuttered. "Every time I see him, he says I'm shortening his lifespan. Maybe absence really does make the heart grow fonder."

The brothers exchanged uneasy glances.

Even Isabella was warming to their father's new family, but Oliver could never forgive the betrayal of their mother's memory.

Military school had been his escape, then the intelligence service became his life, severing ties with everything but his siblings.

Lately though, something had shifted. The longing for home, for their chaotic but loving dynamic, grew stronger each day.

"Harrison." Oliver slung an arm around his brother's shoulders, their earlier animosity forgotten. "Feel like causing some trouble?"

Harrison's eyes narrowed in understanding. "Not happening. Isabella made us promise not to confront Alexander alone. I won't break her trust."

Oliver's grin turned feral as Harrison ducked away. "Your loss."