become familiar with a new kind of freedom. A life that w

omething to do. She would run the errands for his grandparents, do the shop

existent. Isla felt like a ghost in t

f the life she once lived but one of the maids, Amelia, had stopped her w

doesn't like h

. If she stayed like this doing nothing, she would suffocate. The boredom would destroy her before th

The glow of her laptop lit up her determined face as she drafted a busine

tured since her teenage years. For the firs

~

on work; rather, It was on the large TV screen mounted on the opposite wall, playing a muted feed

they got married. Over a week now, he

urveilled for weeks. There was this new glint in h

upted his thoughts. And when he looked down to check the ID of

nt of silence stretched between them before a smooth, pla

you finall

rip on the phone tightened. His eyes dimmed, and

~

o find Isla asleep at the table, her

ured with quiet amusem

iculously organized documents and financial spreadsheets -

ming her time. Before he could ex

ly, she register

just watched her with his

denly reached for Damien's briefcase, just as she had don

ses returned; slowly, her face met with Damien, who was

The corners of his lips twitche

e. Then, before she could stop hersel

out laughing at the same time. The

ogether, the tension between them disappeared repla

sla cleared her throat, suddenl

bed," she muttered q

t waiting for a response, she hur

mples. That moment had felt too natural, too easy. This was supposed

ded was her phone, pullin

t was Sophia, her face rumpled when she saw the unexpect

at

d. What? Why was

ing, but she didn't

ssed c

n but this time, it was covered by a f

w mess

. Her heartbeat quickened

e. You really

onth ago, Isla. And n

behind my back? Were you ch

ould not help but d

o stop herself from cursing,

r marriage was never abou

long before, anothe

en isn't right for you. You'll see t