Chapter 88

Alexander Kingsley's sports car screeched to a halt outside Isabella Sinclair's villa. Through the rain-streaked window, he could see the golden glow of interior lights. The thought of Lucas Grant inside with her made his chest constrict like a vice.

His fingers tightened around the phone. The screen displayed a photo of Isabella in a scandalous silk negligee, her curves barely concealed. A far cry from the modest cotton dresses she used to wear during their marriage.

Now divorced, she'd transformed into a siren. Every man in the city was under her spell.

Alexander loosened his tie with a sharp tug, his breathing ragged.

Inside the villa...

Lucas watched Isabella devour her spaghetti with growing horror. Raised in luxury, he'd never touched such common food before. His first taste of alcohol had been vintage champagne at fifteen. Fast food? Unthinkable.

"Aren't you eating? It's getting cold," Isabella remarked between bites.

"I'm... overwhelmed by your hospitality," Lucas stammered, picking at his food like it might bite back.

"It's just pasta. I've got a whole pantry full. Take some home if you like."

"No! Absolutely not!"

Gritting his teeth, Lucas shoveled a forkful into his mouth. Fire exploded on his tongue. Tears sprang to his eyes as the spices burned his throat. Across the table, Sebastian Bennett smirked behind his water glass.

"Can't handle heat? You should've said something earlier." Isabella pushed a glass toward him just as the doorbell chimed.

Sebastian checked the monitor. His blood ran cold when Alexander's face appeared.

"I'm here for Isabella."

"Sebastian, who is it?"

Isabella and a still-coughing Lucas appeared in the hallway. Both froze at the sight on screen.

"You told him?" Isabella's glare could have melted steel.

"He threatened me!" Lucas wheezed, clutching his burning throat. "Said he'd cut ties unless I gave your address. And worse..."

"What worse?"

"That he'd never finalize the divorce. As long as you're legally married, neither I nor Nathaniel can be with you."

The audacity!

Isabella's fists clenched until her knuckles turned white. She shoved Sebastian aside and faced the intercom. "You have no right to be here. Leave now or I'm calling security."

"Isabella. Come out." Alexander's voice crackled through the speaker, edged with danger.

She laughed bitterly. "Since when do I take orders from you?"

"Lucas. Out. Now." Alexander's eyes burned through the screen.

"Not happening." Lucas knew that tone - and it terrified him.

"Lucas!"

"He's my guest," Isabella cut in coldly. "You're the unwelcome one here, Mr. Kingsley. Goodbye."

The screen went dark, but Alexander's furious expression lingered. Using their divorce as leverage? Pathetic. Did he really think paperwork could chain her forever?

"I'm sorry," Lucas sniffled, eyes watering from the spices. "I shouldn't have told him—"

"Not your fault." Isabella exhaled sharply. "This is all Alexander's doing. He can't stand seeing me move on."

Lucas swallowed hard. Normally women trembled before him. But Isabella's anger? Terrifying.

Thunder rumbled outside as the storm intensified.

"Let's finish dinner." Isabella stormed back to the table.

Lucas lingered, staring at the door. Holy hell. That fire in her eyes... was this the real Isabella?

Rain hammered against the floor-to-ceiling windows as they sipped coffee later.

"I misjudged you," Isabella admitted. "You're kinder than I expected."

"Me? Kind?" Lucas nearly choked on his drink. "Isabella Sinclair just complimented me? I'm having that engraved on my tombstone!"

"Don't make me regret it." She smirked.

Taking a chance, Lucas inched closer. "If... if we'd met before Alexander, would you have given me a chance?"

"No." The answer came like a guillotine.

"Why?" Ice water couldn't have chilled him faster.

"My heart belonged to Alexander. Without him, there's no room for anyone else." Her reflection in the rain-streaked glass looked decades older than her twenty-four years.

Thirteen years of love, marriage, and heartbreak had drained her. The vibrant girl who'd loved so fiercely was gone, leaving only this hollowed-out version.

Lucas's chest ached. Alexander Kingsley, you absolute fool.

"Miss!" Sebastian burst in. "You need to see this."

He led her to a side window. Isabella's breath caught.

Alexander stood like a statue in the downpour, his designer suit plastered to his body. Rain streamed down his face, but his gaze never wavered.

"Is he insane?" Sebastian hissed. "This some pathetic guilt trip?"

"More manipulative than ever." Isabella's nails dug into her palms. "Let him drown for all I care."

Her phone vibrated. Alexander's name flashed on screen. Against her better judgment, she answered. "What now?"

"Come out. We need to talk." His voice cut through the storm's roar.

"We have nothing to—"

A lightning bolt split the sky, illuminating her pale face with electric horror.