Chapter 7

• SHAUN'S POV
• My eyes widened at the event unfolding in front of me. Camilla kept yelling, and I couldn't make out what she was saying; I couldn't see Isabella's face because Camilla was facing me. But I knew she was talking to Isabella.
• It was none of my business what they were arguing about. Not until Camilla raised her hands and Isabella,
• An unfamiliar anger surged in me, an unexpected heat that made my head throb. Before I could think, my feet ran like they had a mind of their own, it seemed it, and my consciousness had made a unanimous decision simultaneously, and my hands shot out to grip Camilla's hands.
• “Don't you even dare,” I hissed through my gritted teeth. I didn't know what came over me, but the sudden intuition to protect the delicate woman kicked in me and I didn't think twice. As much as I did not like her, I couldn't bear to see her hurt.
• I could see her heightened breathing; her face had turned to the side, expecting to be hit. I frowned. How much of this did she take while living here? The urge to pull her into a hug and comfort her overwhelmed me but I shoved the idea aside. It was a thought that shouldn't have been formed.
• “H-Hi Shaun, sis and I were just playing a game...”
• I ignored her and moved closer to Isabella, My hands grazing her face lightly with my fingers and my eyes roaming over her body to check for bruises.
• “Are you hurt, love?” The word “love” rolled out of my mouth like a familiar thing we called each other. I went too far with the pretence, but still, the thought of calling her made my heart flutter.
• “Yes I am,” she replied sharply, raising an eyebrow at me.
• I ignored the look wrapping my fingers around her and pulled her gently towards my car.
• “What was that for? I can handle myself I don't need saving.”
• She said sharply, jerking her hands away from me.
• I scoffed. ”Like hell you could.”
• The previous fluttering in my tummy had disappeared now replaced with the feel of boiling inside me. I just couldn't believe her. I had just saved her; instead of being grateful, she chose to lash out.
• “I could handle it perfectly Before you interrupted,” she defended.
• I groaned loudly with my hands running through my hair. I couldn't deal with this right now.
• Why did she always push me away?
• I had just saved her shouldn’t that count for something?
• Maybe I should’ve stayed out of it. But watching her about to get hit...
• No. I’d do it again.
• “Okay, that's enough. Would you get into the car already? We have somewhere to be.”
• “And if I don't."
• I could not decipher why she had to be so stubborn and coconut-headed. “Do you want everyone in your household to know we are arguing?”
• I opened the car door, motioning for her to enter. I watched her give me a scornful once-over slowly before she lowered her head and slammed the door with full force.
• I sucked my teeth, slid into the backseat with her and tried to maintain composure Despite the tension in the air. Surprisingly the ride went by quietly without her muttering a word. It saddened me a little to watch her crawl back into her shell after an argument. She wasn't even trying to fight me back.
• I wondered if that's how she was, closed off and always on the edge. It reminded me of the event in the morning. I had been in the kitchen fixing breakfast absentmindedly, lost in my thoughts that were jumbled when the shattering of glass jolted me back to reality.
• She stood there trembling and staring at her phone like she had seen a ghost, my heart thumping faster as waves of old memories flooded in making me sprint towards her.
• She had jerked away like I had hurt her, I watched her walk hurriedly away from me to her bedroom. I was left there stunned and pissed at her actions.
• I started to the ground slowly, rocking myself and practicing some breathing techniques to put me at ease. I cleaned off the glass and disposed of it. Soft sobs came from her room, just like the night before. I had planned on studying when I passed by her room.
• The door slightly opened, and soft sobs filled the room; I wanted to be able to comfort her, but I couldn't. My dislike for her ignoring and pretending not to recognize me overwhelmed the worry I had for her. I stayed by the door frame for a while watching her till the sobs became quieter before going to my study.
• Later in the day, Mark and my assistants hurried to my office, calling my attention to something on his tap.
• “I have very disturbing news about your wife, sir,” he mumbled.
• “What is it?” My voice was laced with authority.
• He placed the iPad in his hands gently on the table, the content left bewildered.
• “Tycoon’s Bastard Daughter Seduces Fiancé Away from Legitimate Heir! Just Like Her Whorish Mother.”
• I slammed my fist on the mahogany desk, an action I didn't think of doing.
• “Who did this?” I thundered.
• Mark flinched at my response. “We do not know yet, Mr Whitmore; apparently, it is a sort of dark web blog for bullying celebrities and famous figures by posting dirt about them?”
• “Whatever this is, I want it down now!!!”
• My heart went to Isabella; I had been angry at her for no reason, assuming she was simply just acting out of Place again; I didn't know this had been haunting her.
• My fingers tightened around the ball pen I held.
• I stood up abruptly. I needed to see her, and besides, I had been to attend George’s gallery opening event, and she was to be my plus one.
• George had been my friend since I was a child; even though there have been times I had pushed him away, he was always there to insert his dry jokes and make me feel more human. It’s safe to say He is my best friend and only friend.
• I had made my way to Reed's company and instructed my assistant to bring her down when I Was informed she had gone to her father's house.
• She steered in her seat beside me; she was such a light sleeper. I watched her with a quiet delight; Her smell was intoxicating, fruit and sweet, just how it perfectly embodied her.
• My eyes roamed around her body, trailing slowly till they landed on her face; her eyelashes were perfectly curved, framing her eyes beautifully, and her brows were meticulously shaped and arched, complementing her high bridged nose.
• Then there are her lips bright red, plump and juicy, making it irresistible to take my eyes away from her. The urge to touch and feel her was magnetic. I reached for her face to tuck the loose tendrils of hair framing her face behind her ear. Her eyes fluttered and I pulled back abruptly.
• I cast my glance at the art portfolio bag sitting on her lap. I didn't know she was into art. My eyes met eyes, the icy blue orbs glared at me. I couldn't tell if she was only mad at me or she just simply hated me.
• “Where are you taking me?” Her voice is sharp and solid, cutting through the silence.
• “You will find out soon enough.”