Chapter 473

Isabella’s POV

Damien’s laughter brought me back to the present. I turned to look at him, his little face glowing with joy. For a brief moment, I felt a pang of guilt. He didn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of this.

But guilt wouldn’t help me now. I had to stay focused, to keep playing my part.

“Damien,” I said gently, sitting back down beside him. “Why don’t we go downstairs and have some breakfast? Mommy will make you pancakes.”

His eyes lit up. “Pancakes! Yay!”

I smiled, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Let’s go, then.”

As I led Damien downstairs, I kept glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting Logan to appear at any moment. He didn’t, but the weight of his presence loomed over me like a shadow.

In the kitchen, I busied myself with making breakfast, the routine motions helping to calm my nerves. 

I poured batter onto the griddle, listening to the sizzle as it cooked. Damien sat at the counte