Isabella sighed.

But no, she wasn't shocked.


At the back of her mind, she always deduced that Charles wanted to marry her for a reason that wasn't just love.

Definitely, the first thing that came to his mind when he saw her wasn't; Oh, I am going to marry her.

"Isabella?" She looked up at his worried eyes. "I can explain."


Shrugging lightly, she said, "You don't have to."

"I-"


She had her seat. "Charles, it is fine. You don't have to explain anything. How do I put this?" she asked as her eyes trained forward thoughtfully. Then, suddenly, she clicked her fingers. "Let's just say we are using each other."

"What? How do you mean?" Charles finally sat opposite her.

"I am getting married to you for protection from my ravaging ex-husband and you are doing it for your real father." She nodded slowly as her eyes met his focused ones. "That's how it is."

Charles sighed. Sitting back, he watched her seriously like he was trying to solve a puzzle. "I-" He sighed again. "We are doing more than using each other right?" His eyes also carried some sort of worry.

Isabella could see the version of her from two weeks ago replying his question with a negative. That version of her would have used him to fill a void momentarily. But things were different at that particular moment. All lot of things had happened that gave her a clear picture of something she needed.

So she nodded then said, "It can't be helped." Then, she looked to the side like a shy bride. "I can't help it," she confessed.

Amused suddenly, he asked, "Help what?"

"I can't help but do more than use you."

"Well, if that statement means you are going to be with me for a long time, use me all you want." She broke into a smile.

Charles was doing it again. Making her feel loved.

Just like he did back at her office.

As he pleasured her, she forgot it all, her problems, her crazy life. Everything became a blur as desire rushed through her.

Even the pain connected to her sexual life disappeared. His touch was just magic.

It always was.

Her smile still persisting, she stole a look at the man in front of her who had just been distracted by his phone. Charles definitely did not forget her totally over the years. She could tell by the way he went down on her.

Then she wondered if he even tried to forget her after what she did. Definitely, if he did, she would hate herself forever, she acknowledged it or not.

"Thinking about me?"

Isabella chuckled. "Maybe," she replied shyly, her small hands rubbing through her arm. "Charles?"

"Yeah?"

"Do-" She wanted to ask him how he was after she left him waiting at the altar. She changed her mind instantly. "Do you know what you'll do when you meet your father?"

"I don't know Bella," his reply came out a bit heavy.

"Are you sure he is your real father?"

"My mother confirmed it when his letter came through."

"He sent a letter?" Isabella frowned. "That's oddly old-fashioned."

"I know. But the contents were crazier."

Isabella's brows quirked. "Marriage?"

"Marriage."

"You must have been torn. I bet you had no idea what to do at first. Not to talk of who to get married to."

"Actually," he adjusted in his seat, his hand running through his hair stylishly like he were in a photoshoot. "I crazily considered Miss Kane at a point."

"Your secretary?"

"She is pretty." Isabella felt a tug within her in reaction. "I bet my mother would have loved her to be my wife. But..."

"But?"

"She is not you." Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Even her throat felt instantly parched. "You really have no idea Isabella. Even without having you around, I still wanted you despite what you did."

He chuckled and leaned forward, his elbow on the decorated table, his hand cupping his face. "That was the crazy part. I still wanted you."

"I- I didn't know how to tell you back then." Isabella couldn't say more. Doing so would be like digging more of her sad life out.

Charles smiled. "I am glad I have found you like this. And I am glad you are going nowhere. That way, I will ensure I have my revenge at the end of the day."

"You-" He gave her a suggestive look in response and Isabella felt her cheeks grow warm. Her down part might have creamed a bit too.

He threw her an air kiss. "I look forward to the coming days Bella. You better get ready."

"Ohhh," she moaned quietly as his words hit home thanks to the seducing tone he carried.

"I am famished. Let's eat yeah?"

"I-" She cleared her throat and asked instead, "Do you think the court would dissolve the marriage?"

Charles's eyes which was roaming around the modern set restaurant darted to hers. Without haste, he reached for her hand and wrapped it into his large ones.

"Everything will be fine Isabella. Trust me, I am not going to let you go so easily. My lawyer would build a case so strong that Manifold guy will crawl back into his hole. Just cooperate with me, okay?"

Her smile grew bigger. At a point of his talk, she zoned out, her eyes watching only his face.

"Isabella?" He snapped his fingers.

"Yeah?" She had a dreamy look on her face.

"You were not listening, were you?"

She made a small pout. "I was."

He patted her hand and gave her a knowing smile. "Okay Bella. Let's eat now, shall we?"

She nodded and watched him signal a waiter for the menu, her smile growing by the second.

Caleb was totally right. She still loved Charles. All it took was an escape from her killing marriage and a good reminder of how good her life was with Charles. And how more amazing it could be with him.