Chapter 26
Exhausted and drenched to the skin, Kendall searched the campus several times before finally finding Isabel at the library’s exit. She was walking down the steps with a tall, handsome man.
He didn’t know what the man said, but Isabel cocked her head toward his shoulder and laughed endearingly.
Kendall stood in their way, trembling all over as he held up the wooden ring. He said hoarsely, “I found the ring, Izzy. Does this mean we still stand a chance? Can you please give me one last shot?”
Isabel backed away and linked arms with the guy beside her. She shook her head and said, “No, I can’t. Let me introduce you to my boyfriend, Liam Golding.”
Kendall staggered backward, almost losing his balance. He shook his head vigorously, refusing to believe her words. “You must be lying to me! You just don’t want to forgive me, right?”
She didn’t answer him. Liam wrapped a possessive arm around her waist and led her away.
Isabel sighed in relief when she was sure that Kendall was no longer following them. “Phew. He should leave me alone after this.”
She rubbed her chest, suddenly realizing that Liam’s arm was still around her waist. She hurriedly stepped back and thanked him. “Thank God I ran into you today, and thanks for acting as my cover.”
He looked at her tenderly underneath the moonlight. “I should be thanking you for giving me the chance to help. It was my honor.”
Isabel was startled by the amorosity in his words. She hung her head to avoid his gaze.
Liam’s family was one of the Lodge family’s business partners, and Helena had introduced Liam to Isabel with the intention of helping Isabel move past her trauma. Isabel knew she meant well, so she hadn’t objected.
Isabel and Liam had similar backgrounds, and he was always polite and gentle to her. She had a good impression of him, but she’d yet to think about taking things further.
Amid her daze, Liam stepped forward to close the distance between them. He said tenderly, “Izzy, you have no idea that I was even more panicked than you were when I saw Kendall.”
Isabel’s head shot up in surprise. She wondered how Liam knew who Kendall was.
What Liam said next threw her heart into chaos. “In the past, Kendall was all you could see. Everyone else seemed to become invisible to you whenever he was around. That’s why you never knew someone was quietly watching you in the library, at the basketball court, and in the lab.
“I know you’ve been through a lot. Perhaps starting a new relationship is challenging for you, but I still want to tell you how I feel. I like you, Izzy. Whether you’re Isabel Court or Isabel Lodge, my feelings won’t change.
“I spent many years making my way to your side, so I don’t want to let this opportunity slip. Consider giving me a chance, Izzy.”
Liam’s handsome face gradually overlapped with a face in Isabel’s memories—one that she’d never paid attention to. She covered her mouth in shock, and her nose prickled
She’d never known that someone had secretly been watching her while she’d chased after Kendall. She’d also never known that someone had spoken up for her when everyone had turned against her.
Thankfully, she hadn’t missed out on someone whose love for her was genuine.
