Chapter 817

Isabella's POV

Damien sat beside him, unaware of the unease swirling inside me, happily munching on his mashed potatoes.

I watched them both, my eyes flicking from father to son, my chest tightening. I wanted this…this simple, perfect moment of family. 

I wanted it to last. But even as I clung to the illusion, I could feel it slipping away, the cold fingers of dread curling around my heart.

Logan cleared his throat, breaking the fragile silence. 

“I’ll be leaving tomorrow,” he announced, his tone casual, as if he were merely discussing the weather. “I have to head back to Puerto Rico. Business matters to handle.”

My heart plummeted, the blood draining from my face. Puerto Rico. Of course. He was always running off there, always leaving us behind.

I forced myself to breathe, to keep my face neutral. I couldn’t let him see how much his words cut me. I couldn’t let him know how desperately I wanted him to stay. <