Chapter 2

Caroline POV

At 7 PM, Isaac arrived promptly to pick me up.

He wore a deep gray custom suit, his tie the one I'd personally tied for him that morning.

As soon as he got in the car, he leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"Why are your hands so cold?"

He held my hand, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with concern. "Did you leave the study air conditioning on too high?"

If I hadn't heard that recording.

I would have certainly believed myself to be the happiest woman in the world right then.

I pulled my hand back, pretending to adjust my dress. "Maybe I'm just hungry."

Isaac didn't suspect anything, smiling as he started the car. "Then let's go, wouldn't want my fiancée to starve."

The restaurant was on the top floor, offering a panoramic view of the city lights.

As I cut my steak, I spoke casually. "Isaac."

"Hmm?" He smoothly swapped our plates, placing the neatly cut beef in front of me.

"I ran into Austin today."

I watched his eyes, not missing a single flicker of expression. "He asked if I was nervous."

Isaac's hand, mid-cut through the meat, paused.

It lasted only a second, too brief to catch.

Then he looked up, his smile perfect. "Don't mind him. You just focus on being beautiful."

"He also said..."

I tightened my grip on the knife and fork, my fingertips pressing hard. "Floyd's back in the country recently, and he asked if that would make you awkward."

"Caroline."

Isaac put down his cutlery, reaching to cover my hand.

His palm was warm, but his tone held an unyielding firmness.

"Why bring that person up? I told you, we're getting married. Everything from the past is over."

He looked at me, his eyes so deep with affection they could drown a person. "I only want you."

If that recording wasn't still sitting in my cloud storage, I would have almost believed him again.

"Right, it's over."

I lowered my head, spearing a piece of beef and putting it in my mouth.

Medium-rare, still a little bloody.

It was premium quality, yet it tasted like sawdust in my mouth.

"Oh, right."

Isaac seemed to remember something, pulling out a delicate velvet box and sliding it across the table to me.

"I almost forgot, this is your pre-wedding gift."

I opened it.

It was a sapphire necklace, deep in color and clearly very expensive.

"Do you like it?" He looked at me expectantly.

I gazed at the deep blue, suddenly recalling an Ins story Bethany had posted last month.

The caption read: "Love this profound blue, but Isaac said it doesn't suit me."

So, it didn't suit her, and that's why it came to me.

Or perhaps, he bought two, and this was the leftover one?

"I love it."

I closed the lid, curving my lips into a smile for him. "Must have been expensive, right?"

"Spending money on you, any amount is worth it."

Isaac ruffled my hair, his eyes full of doting affection.

I made an excuse to go to the restroom to touch up my makeup.

Standing at the sink, I looked at the woman with perfect makeup in the mirror, forcing a smile that was uglier than a cry.

If you want to play the doting fiancé, then I'll help you out.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my immigration lawyer.

The call was answered immediately.

"Miss Caroline, have you reached a decision?"

I looked at my reflection, my voice chillingly calm.

"Please reschedule my flight."

"To when?"

"The morning of the wedding. Ten o'clock."

I hung up and reapplied my lipstick. Watching the vibrant red take shape, I felt my heart harden.

Isaac.

This last dinner, I will remember it well.

When I returned to the table, Isaac was replying to messages.

Seeing me, he quickly turned off his screen, smiling as he stood up. "Let's go, home."

I linked my arm through his, feeling his muscles tense for a split second.

"Okay, home."