If one could sense the way her heart pounded, they would think she was about to enter a lion's den where she could get torn apart. Even Isabella found it ridiculous and uneasy that she was acting that way. So, she pulled at her top and inwardly told herself to be calm.

It was just Gabriel she was going to see. And when she finally leaves his sight, she will finally be free.


So, seeing him one last time, even if within prison walls shouldn't hurt at all.

"There will be a guard with you to ensure nothing out of place happens," the man who had been leading them said, his hand adjusting his crooked glasses after. Charles thanked him for his time and the man soon left, leaving Charles and Isabella alone in the hardly ventilated room which reeked of certain chemicals.

"Richard will be here soon with the documents," Charles reminded Isabella and went to have his seat on one of the chairs that were placed against the large table in the room.


"Nothing will go wrong right?" A part of her sensed that Gabriel will still put on a fight, guard or no guard.

Adjusting a chair and motioning for her to come sit by patting its metallic surface, he gave a small smile and said, "Don't worry, at this stage, I won't let anything go wrong." Isabella held back her smile and sat down. She was going to save her smile for when everything will be finally over.


"Oh, you are here." Mr. Richard made a loud entry as his bag fell out of his hold. As he bent to pick it, he continued, "I was afraid I was delaying you all."

"Not at all. Gabriel's lawyer hasn't showed up."

Mr. Richard smirked. "We could hold that against them and increase the settlement percentage."

"Settlement?"

"Yes." Mr. Richard faced her as he had his seat. "Don't you want it?"

"I want nothing from that man. All I need is to be divorced and be the full owner of my company."

Charles leaned in. "But aren't you the full owner?"

Looking down at her hands which had been playing with each other absent-mindedly, Isabella let out a sigh. "When my father had me get married to Gabriel, he said he would give me his company but I had to include Gabriel's name as a joint owner."

"So…" Charles squinted his eyes as he seemed to put one and one together.

"Gabriel had assess to the company even though he did no work."

"Even the funds?" Isabella nodded. "So, he is the reason your company is almost ruined?"

Her dark eyes met his green ones which carried care which was intended for her- that made her feel good instantly. Nodding, she said, "His crazy way of spending money is a major reason."

"Don't worry, we will make sure he no longer has a say in the company. Richard and I will take care of it."

"Thank you Charles," her voice almost came out as a croak as some tears choked her. Indeed, at that moment, the emotions within her was a mixture of feelings and since she was not ready to separate them, she let her unsettled heart be.

Soon, it will all be sorted.

With his gaze still caressing her entire being, Charles reached out and ran his hand through her hair slowly. She could not help it. Her eyes came closing as his fingertips made contact with her scalp.

Isabella had no idea how it could be possible, but his touch warmed her and seduced her at the same time and her mind replayed the last intimate moment they had.

Then she wondered how it will feel to have him filling her up, taking her up and down as sensually as possible. And how could she forget his touch… his hands running through her skin, lighting her up as every second passed.

Her mind could picture it. It was so erotic, so intense. The way his naked body held hers in place, the image was stirring something within her. And she could almost hear herself moaning his name as he takes his time to fill her up with his own pace that shoots…

"Isabella?"

Her eyes snapped open and she faced the man she was just making love to in her head. "Yeah?"

"You called me."

"I did?" Isabella wondered when. Then she realized… she had most probably moaned his name. Unable to handle the crazy heat that befell her after, she looked away and Charles chuckled beside her.

Her eyes widened a bit. He had sensed whatever sexual drama she was having in her head. And that just made the space more awkward for her.

Mr. Richard cleared his throat as she directed her sight to the wall ahead and she instantly wished she could find a place to hide. The man must have heard her moan his friend's name too.

Oh heavens! If only the floor had swallowing abilities.

The floor didn't save her from the awkwardness but the arrival of a cuffed Gabriel and his lawyer did. As the duo walked into the room without acknowledging the individuals seated, Isabella felt her heart clench.

"You are late," Mr. Richard calmly said, yet his voice seemed to have a menacing tone beneath.

"We apologize." The slim lawyer had his seat after the guards that brought in the prisoner had gotten him seated and secure. "I understand my client doesn't have much to win, so I was advising him on what to do."

Isabella tried to catch the eyes of the uniformed man in front of her but, Gabriel's hard gaze stayed fixed on the table.

"We have the papers with us," Mr. Richard went straight to the point. "Ms. Shade has signed them. Is your client ready?"

"Yes he is." That response reduced the un-settlement within her a bit. She had feared Gabriel would put up a fight.

And as if in a dream, within minutes, without a word, Gabriel had signed the papers. After a thorough check of the document and some exchanges between the attorneys, the battle was declared over.

But for some seconds, Isabella just sat where she was and felt nothing. And then it came, gradually, that rush of happiness she had been yearning for for years. But it didn't come in form of crazy, uncontrollable laughter, she cried.

It must have startled Charles who asked her if something was wrong. After a small shake of her head, he did nothing but hug her and she sobbed into his chest as freely as she could.

"Charles…"

"Hmm?" he replied her feverish call.

"Thank you." He hugged her tighter. "Thank you so much. How could I ever repay you?" she asked emotionally.

"You know the answer to that love."

A small chuckle escaped her, then a sniffle before she asked, her eyes finally meeting his glowing ones, "When are we getting married?"

"I thought you said you could never marry me," he teased her and her head got buried into his chest again in shyness. "Tomorrow," came his reply after a deep laughter and her head came back up swiftly.

"Uh?"

A hand went to her cheek and he held her gaze firmly. "I can't wait anymore. We are getting married tomorrow." She was taken aback. How would that work?

"Isabella, I have waited enough."

And her heart squeezed on hearing those words. True, he had. She had made him wait for so long and he was still around. So, a wide smile replaced the dome shape of her lips and she agreed with every sense of apology and affection, "Let's get married tomorrow."

"Then promise me." Charles's eyes darkened with a shade of seriousness. "Promise me you won't run this time."

With her heart finally free from the unsettled feelings, with a room for new, amazing adventures, Isabella's hand went to his huge one on her cheek and she said truthfully, her voice almost a whisper, "I won't." Their hands intertwined. "I promise."