chapter 45

Isabella strolled leisurely through the garden, her fingers grazing the velvety petals of the blooming roses as a soft breeze carried the sweet fragrance of jasmine and lavender through the air. The late afternoon sun cast golden streaks across the sky, dappling the stone pathway beneath her feet with warm, shifting light. Birds chirped melodiously from the branches above, and the distant rustling of leaves created a soothing symphony of nature.

Lost in the tranquility of the moment, she hardly noticed time slipping away. She was so immersed in the beauty of the garden—the delicate dance of butterflies, the gentle sway of the lilies—that she remained oblivious to the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.

It wasn't until she heard the hushed voices of two maids gossiping nearby that she became aware of Damian's return. Hidden by the tall hedges, she listened as they spoke in hushed, excited tones about his arrival.