Ch-19

No matter how coldblooded and calculative Isabel and Gael had been,neither of them were behind the article.In fact that smart online stranger had slightly ruined their plan to lay low and put them in danger.Isabel was biting her teeth while reading the article.

"Che cavolo!" Isabel murmured under her breath.She was impressed that there were people who can recognize people this easily,but this had ruined her plans.Her reaction would matter a lot and James would most definitely come to probe her.

Isabel paced around thinking what she should do.Pretend to be ignorant?It was a bit farfetched,but it was the most belivable for the moment.In 3 days she would return to her ancestral home,she should just hang on these 3 days.

Isabel at first wanted to call Gael,but she didn't want to interrupt his 'Laurei men trip' moment.One of the passions he had discovered,being the new hobby that Gaels father had taken was photography.Him,Gael and Gael's grandfather,the one where Gael inherited his love for photography,had gone on a bonding trip to take as many pictures as they can.The trip would last a week.Though they still discussed the information they had collected,for the moment she didn't want to ruin this rare moment of happiness and peace.

That night Isabel came late at home and carefully closed the door,but the lights were already on.Just as she expected,James wanted to see her reaction.Isabel quietly took a deep breath a squezed every drip of acting skill she had in her for this moment.

"James?What are you doing up so late?Shouldn't you rest for tomorrow?"

James slightly smiled.

"I just wanted to wait for you.Is it wrong to wait for my beloved wife?"

"Why did that come out weirdly?Is there anything wrong?" Isabel pretended to be confused.It was better to throw the suspicion back at him.

James stared at her for a bit.

"No.I just missed you."

"Oh." The silence was suffocating so Isabel changed the topic. "I just had the craziest day today.Like doesn't anybody even work these days.I got a few documents to sign and they were full of mistakes,like what is happening with the team.They can do better." Then she continued ranting about the company and the workers.

James just listened silently as Isabel talked nonstopply.

"Anyway,I'm going to take a shower,you just go to sleep." After grabbing everything she needed Isabel took a few deep breaths to prepare erself mentaly.It was for the best.It was for their safety.

She went to James with the things in her hands and bend down to kiss his head.

"Good night!" Isabel said while giving a sweet smile.When she turned around,James grabbed her wrist and pulled her back,forcing her on his lap.He then whispered on her ear.

"Darling," he breathed on her ear "why don't we shower together now?I also haven't showered tonight,Iwas waiting for you."His voice was deep and seductive.

Isabel immediately stiffened and barely held her composure.

"Why aren't you answering?Didn't you miss me?" his hands were slowly slithering on her.Isabels skin started crawling,his hands felt like a snake slowly strangling her.

"We need to get early tomorrow."

"Honey,how about we have a family?I've also thought about it and now it's the perfect time to have a baby of our own.Didn't you always want this?How about we start trying?Now." His face was getting closer to hers and Isabel lowered her head,her straightened brown hair blocking her face.He was really despicable.He always knew how much a family meant to her,but always avoided the topic when she tried bringing it up.

Sometimes seeing him strongly refuse a child,Isabel couldn't help but compare with Gael.How he would organise late night dates,stargazing while discussing how many children they would have in the future.Gael and her both wanted a big family,him because he was raised with loving family,she because she had lost her loving family because of the cruel fate.But that fantasy was ruined.

James never tried making her happy with flowers,dates,opening himself to her,it was okay she could make up for the romance,she would make him happy.James refused to give her the thing she wanted the most,a loving family,it was okay she could live with that,children aren't always necessary for a family,and maybe his opinion could change with time.

But now,this man was trying to honey trap her,test her with the thing she longs the most,knowing really well how much it meant to her.He was really cruel,too cruel.

Isabels eyes were red,but she didn't give herself in yet.She plucked up all her strength.

"We are young and we still have plenty of time for that.We need to discuss this with a gynecologist first."

"What's there discuss first?We can just try now.It wouldn't do any harm or…." He dragged the word a bit "You don't want me."

"It's not like that."

"I knew it.You just don't want me anymore,so you keep avoiding me."

"I'm not avoiding you,I've just been busy."

James laughed. "Busy?You always found time for me no matter what.This is the first time you're like this.Or did I do something,that's why you're like this?Did I forget something?Did I forget our dating anniversary?Did I say something that hurt you?Why are you avoiding me?Why don't you want me?What did I do to you?"

Isabel clenched her fists.She was about to snap,but kept it insisde.He was bluntly provoking her.He wanted to make her snap so she could pour it all out.But she wouldn't give in.

"You didn't do anything.I'm just not in the mood.Are you happy now?There I said it.I don't want to."

"But why?I'm your husband,how can you be like this?Or did you see somebody and now I'm not attractive enough for you?"

Isabel was quiet for a bit with her head lowered.James thought she gave up and would let him have his way.He didn't mind since he had all night to read her carefully.But Isabel suddenly raised her head and looked at him with her emerald eyes.

"Being my husband doesn't change the fact that right now I don't feel like it.I'm tired.I've been working all day.I just want to shower and sleep.Maybe the other times I didn't want to hurt your feelings so I didn't say anything,but I think I should've said this long ago." Isabel pushed him lightly and stood up.

"No matter what our relationship,it doesn't mean there aren't any boundries that you shouldn't cross."

She then turned around and left.James couldn't reach any conclusion with this conversation,so being even more pushy would make his situation worse if she really didn't know anything.He retreated.

"I'm sorry,okay?I shouldn't have done that!" James yelled for her to hear,but was only greeted with a bang from the other room.