Chapter 216

Today was the deadline. She told herself one last time—if he didn’t call today, she’d leave for good. No turning back. But maybe the universe wasn’t ready to let her go just yet. His number lit up her phone like a bad habit she couldn’t quit. The second she heard his voice, she broke inside. Silent tears rolled down, and even crying, she had to stay quiet—he couldn’t know how much it still hurt. He was still cold, distant as ever. Told her not to come, to stay away forever. And yet, she couldn’t cut him off—couldn’t say no to him. She’d always follow him blindly, chasing fire like some clueless moth. No escape, and weirdly, she was okay with that. Liam Sterling left the Sterling estate that night and went straight to his apartment downtown. Isabella Scott was waiting there, neatly dressed, like she'd been sitting there for hours. On the couch, she gave herself to him completely. Afterwards, his face showed nothing—no warmth, no regret. To him, it didn’t mean anything. She asked for it.