ed suit, the sharp lines of the jacket like a suit of armor. Her hair was tied up i

r perfectly painted lips wearing a proud smile. She watched Jul

bel's tone seemed

r handbag on the empty chair beside her.

pping the porcelain cup. "I just want to see for myself," she glanced at Julia from

ed hurt. Julia's hands clenched tightly into fis

dhood sweethearts. You are just a stage, Julia-a means to an end. She took out her phone and scrolled through

belle's voice was smooth. "H

e really cares about you that much, Isabel, then why has

nger swept across Isabel's face,

father!" She hoarsely said, her voice suddenly turning

mouth doesn't hurt-it only makes everything clearer. Her lac

el's hand suddenly trembled violently-the one h

a splashed onto the back of her hand, and the pain was immediate and intense, like thousands of fine needles pricki

came from t

abel's voice was filled with fals

rd, a voice cut through the air

re you

her heart pound

Harriso

m Ford suit, tall and imposing. His face, usually a mask of indiff

ickly and decisively. He gently held her injured hand, his thumb brushing over the red, swollen, an

w and thunderous, trembling slig

ppearance and only regained her voi

one was completely dismissive. He took off his suit jacket and draped it over

hand firmly and protectively

voice rang out-a disgusting familiarit

ard them from the hotel entra

a's hand. His expression turned to panic and anger. He

a look of grievance and innocen

n filled with concern as he stared at Julia, now narrowed-a hint of recognition, t

he secret boyfriend Julia has kep

with unspoken pasts and undercurrent violence. The