The ballroom inside Esher Hall was strikingly elaborate. Tall pillars lined the walls, and glistening chandeliers twinkled overhead. The room was already filled with people dancing as a large orchestra played a classic tune from their spot on a raised stage at the far end of the room. I’d never felt so out of place in my life.
“God, I hate these things,” Cress said as the twins went to get us drinks. “I wouldn’t have bothered coming if my parents weren’t going to be here.”
“Your parents are here?” I was a little surprised as Cress hadn’t mentioned it to me. I would have expected her to spend some time with them today if they were going to be in the area. Especially since Weybridge Academy was in the middle of nowhere.
“I mean, they said they were going to try and come when we talked earlier this week, but knowing them, they’ve jetted off to some remote island for the weekend and forgotten all about it.”
“Wouldn’t they let you know either way?”
“They can be a bit flighty.” Cress shrugged. “I love them to death, but they’re not the most reliable parents. How about you. Is your mom coming?”
“I wish.” I’d considered telling Mom about the ball, but she was already so stressed with the café, and I didn’t want her to feel bad she couldn’t make it. She would have needed to take the weekend off work, and given how things were going, I knew there was no chance it would happen.
As I was watching Cress, I noticed her gaze lock on to something behind me. Her whole body tensed, and an angry look entered her eyes.
“What are you looking a—” I turned to see what had caught her attention, and immediately wished I hadn’t. Noah had just entered the ballroom with Veronica on his arm. His face displayed his infamous mask of indifference, but it didn’t stop my stomach from curdling as Veronica clung tightly to him.
She looked beautiful tonight. They both did. Like they were made for one another. If it weren’t for the cold look in Noah’s eyes, I’d probably have burst into tears. I knew this wasn’t what he wanted. And yet, it was impossible not to feel hurt as I watched on.
Cress lightly touched my arm. “Why don’t we go see how the twins are getting on with the drinks?”
I nodded and let her drag me away. Avoiding Noah was going to be my new mission for the night. I just had to grit my teeth and bear it until he was finally through with whatever formalities were expected of him.
“I’m so sorry he’s here with her,” Cress said as we made our way through the crowd.
“It’s fine,” I said. “I told him to come with her.”
“But only because you could see how much Noah hated letting his grandfather down. I hate that William always gets his way with Noah.” Anger laced her voice. “He’s always abusing their relationship, and it drives me crazy.”
“I can’t imagine how hard it must be for Noah.”
“I know,” she agreed. “He’s constantly torn between what he wants and what his grandfather commands, and if there’s any conflict between their needs, it’s always Noah’s that get pushed aside. The company always comes first. I sometimes think William knows how worried Noah is about losing him and plays on his fear. It’s sick.”
I felt a wave of sorrow for Noah wash over me. He always acted so strong, but I couldn’t imagine what it would be like growing up without both parents. And it was heartbreaking that he was constantly worried about losing the one parental figure he had left too. William Hastings sounded like a piece of work. What kind of person would knowingly abuse their relationship with their grandson in that way?
We found the guys just as Sawyer was slipping a hundred-dollar bill to a waiter in exchange for a few glasses of champagne from his tray. When I caught his eye, he grinned and offered a glass to me. “Ready to join the dark side yet?”
“Screw it,” I said, grabbing the glass before taking a long drink.
“That’s our girl,” Cress said with a smile.
“I knew it wouldn’t take much to get you on board,” Sawyer added.
“I might as well have one too.” Wes reached out and took a glass for himself.
We lifted our glasses in a quick toast and then drank our champagne before any of the adults noticed. I wasn’t sure they were all that bothered about students drinking. The parents didn’t seem to mind. I was more worried about the teachers who were walking around the ballroom with discerning eyes.
“We should dance,” Sawyer said, placing his empty glass down on the closest table.
Cress didn’t need any convincing and happily took his arm as he led her onto the dance floor. I hesitated and shared an uncertain look with Wes. He had a similar expression on his face, and I let out a laugh. “We’re going to make a scene, aren’t we?”
“I promise I won’t accidentally punch you.”
“And I’ll try my best not to step on your toes.”
He grinned and held out a hand toward me. “Let’s just shuffle about and hope no one notices.”
“Okay, but if there’s an injury, we call it quits for the night.”
“Agreed.”
Dancing with Wes wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as I expected. We probably looked awkward to anyone watching us closely, but at least Wes was easy to talk to, and it was much nicer than spending my time worrying about what Noah was up to with Veronica.
We were halfway through our second song when I felt a presence at my side. “May I cut in?”
My stomach flipped as I recognized the voice, and I slowly peered up into my father’s ice-blue eyes.
My arms dropped from Wes’s shoulders as I faced Matthew head-on. “What are you doing here?”
“Attending my daughter’s first school ball, of course.” He turned his attention to Wes and held out his hand. “Matthew LaFleur, Isobel’s father.”
Wes straightened, and his eyes widened with recognition. “Wesley Montfort.” He shook my father’s hand firmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir, my father has many good things to say about you.”
“Ah, one of August’s sons. Is your father here tonight?”
“He intends to be,” Wes replied. As he let go of my father’s hand, he caught my eye, and I could tell by the confused look on his face he was wondering how the hell he hadn’t known Matthew was my father.
“Excellent. I hope to see him later,” Matthew responded. “Now, if you’ll excuse us. I’d like to dance with my daughter.”
Wes nodded and stepped back. He hovered in place for a second, still glancing between Matthew and me. I could practically hear the cogs whirring away inside his head as he considered what he’d just learned about me, but he composed himself and hurried away, disappearing into the crowd of dancers without another word. I was more concerned by the fact I was now alone with my father, and I couldn’t help but feel betrayed by Wes for leaving me with Matthew. I let out a sigh and stepped into Matthew’s waiting arms, unable to relax as he started to guide me around the dance floor.
We danced in silence for several minutes. He held me at a distance, and it seemed that neither one of us could relax. It didn’t help that there seemed to be a slightly pained expression on Matthew’s face whenever he looked at me. I found myself wondering if maybe he disproved of the dress I wore.
“Is there something wrong?” I finally asked him. “You keep looking at me strangely.”
“No, there’s nothing wrong. I’m sorry, you just remind me very much of my sister tonight. You look a lot like her. I hadn’t noticed until now.”
“I have an aunt?”
“Yes, but…” His voice trailed off before he took a deep breath. “I’m afraid she died a few years ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
‘Thank you,” he said, bowing his head. “She would have loved to meet you. Especially tonight. An event like this was more her scene than mine.”
We both fell silent again, and it was hard not to feel a little sympathy for my father. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to lose a sibling, and I wondered if they were close. Given the way he’d been looking at me, I got the feeling that he missed my aunt terribly. I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to know more about my aunt, but I was still brimming with anger toward him after learning how he’d treated my mom.
“I tried to call you several times this week,” Matthew said. “To let you know I was planning to come tonight.”
“Oh, that’s why you were calling.”
“Yes.”
“I just assumed it was your butler on the line.”
Matthew stiffened, but his expression didn’t change. If there was one thing he appeared to be good at, it was maintaining an air of composure. I, on the other hand, felt ruffled by his sudden appearance. I hated that he’d taken me by surprise tonight, and I wished I’d answered his calls this week so I could have told him not to come. I didn’t want to see him, let alone in such a public place. And I was only putting up with him now because I didn’t want to cause a scene.
“I know you’re still angry with me,” Matthew said.
I huffed and looked away. Would I ever not be angry with him?
“But I hoped that if I came here tonight you might let me explain.”
I shook my head. “Why do you think I’d listen to you now? I finally managed to get my mother to open up about what happened between you two. And if you thought I was angry before, it’s nothing compared to how I feel now.”
“Just give me five minutes,” he said. “I know what your mother has told you doesn’t look great on my behalf, but she didn’t know the full story until very recently.”
His expression was drawn, and his eyes were pleading with me to give him a chance.
“You have until the end of this dance,” I said. It felt like a much more generous offer than he deserved, but my mom had told me there were parts of the story only he could tell. Perhaps it was worth a listen.
“Fair enough.” He drew in a deep breath. “I guess I’ll get right to it. The truth is, I didn’t know you existed.”
I stilled in Matthew’s arms as his words pummeled into me. The admission felt like a punch to the gut, and it was the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth. I felt breathless and confused. I didn’t know how to voice a response.
“I only found out about you a couple of months ago,” he continued. “And since the moment I discovered I had a daughter, I’ve been doing everything in my power to be a part of your life.”
“That can’t be true.” I refused to believe him. “Look, if I’d known you were going to lie to me…” I went to step from his grasp, but he held on a little tighter.
“It’s the truth, Isobel,” he said. “Please, you gave me until the end of the song. I just need another minute.”
“Okay.” I was struck by how different he looked, so vulnerable and open, as his eyes pleaded with me to listen to him. “Go on, but your time is running out.”
He slowly started to guide me around the dance floor once more as he continued. “Candice never told me she was pregnant. She sent a letter explaining the situation, but I never received it. From what I can gather, my parents intercepted the letter. I’m not sure what they were thinking, but I guess they were hoping, if they hid the truth from me, the whole situation would go away. And it did. Until my father died and I found your mother’s letter in his safe. It was seventeen years too late though.”
I was speechless, and my mind raced as I compared my father’s story with the one Mom had told me. There was one thing that didn’t quite add up. “What about the note and the check my mom received from you in the mail?”
Matthew frowned slightly. “Your mother told me about that when I first reached out to her,” he said. “It was the first I’d heard of it, and it didn’t come from me. My parents must have sent it, hoping she was just looking for money.”
“Well, she wasn’t,” I said. “She tore it up.”
“That doesn’t surprise me at all.” Matthew let out a long sigh. “I don’t know why your mother didn’t come and speak to me. Why she didn’t call me. But I don’t blame her for what happened. All I know is that I’m certain our lives would have been completely different if that one piece of paper had made it into my hands. I promise you that.”
The song had come to an end, and we stopped dancing as everyone around us applauded the orchestra. Matthew and I stood like statues though, staring at each other.
“That’s all I can really say in that one dance,” he finished. “But I hope that you’ll give me another chance to talk about this. And I hope that one day we’ll have an opportunity to dance together again.”
He slowly released his grasp on me before he turned and walked away. I felt numb after listening to Matthew’s explanation, and I was somewhat grateful he’d left rather than waited for a response. I didn’t know how to process what he’d told me.
My grandparents had kept me a secret from my father and tried to silence my mom with money. It seemed impossible to believe, and yet I felt like Matthew was telling the truth. I was starting to understand this world of wealth and power, and his story fit right in with everything else I’d heard while at Weybridge.
Fingers brushed against my arm, and I looked up to find Noah staring down at me. His face had been a mask earlier when I’d seem him arrive with Veronica, but now he was showing me a gentle smile. “You look a little lost out here,” he said.
I let out a laugh, immediately feeling more relaxed now that he was with me. “I always feel a little lost on a dance floor.”
“Can I steal a dance with you?” he asked.
“I don’t think it’s considered stealing if I’m already yours.”
He grinned and swept me up in his arms. I felt so small with Noah wrapped around me, and every inch of my body buzzed from the contact. I wanted to get caught up in the moment with him, but my conversation with Matthew was still rolling around in my head.
“Is everything okay?”
I looked up and found Noah watching me with a look of concern. I’d been waiting for him all night, but now all I could think about was my father. I needed to shelve everything I’d just learned and try to digest it later, at a time when I could properly process it all. For now, I just wanted to enjoy the ball with Noah.
I pushed Matthew from my mind and smiled back at Noah. “Yeah, everything’s great.” And it was because we were together. “I’m surprised I managed to tear you away from your date so early in the night. Shouldn’t you still be with Veronica?”
“I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” he said. “I agreed to come here with her, but if I recall correctly, I promised you all the dances.”
“You did.”
“And when I saw you alone on the dance floor, I knew I had to whisk you away before someone else did,” he continued. “You look gorgeous tonight. I’m the envy of every guy in here right now.”
My cheeks warmed as I shook my head. “You’re just saying that.”
“Am I? Because none of them can take their eyes off of you.”
I swallowed nervously and glanced around us. He was right. People were looking our way, but it was far more likely they were interested in Noah rather than me.
“See?” he prompted.
I had to laugh. “You always like to be right, don’t you?”
“It’s not a matter of liking to be right; it’s knowing I’m right.”
I rolled my eyes. “And what if all those people looking at us are doing so because of you? You did arrive at the ball with a different date, after all. That’s good gossip.”
“Well, we know how much they like gossip. But if they’re looking at me instead of you, they’re idiots.” He reached up and cupped my neck with his hands, tracing his thumbs lightly over the skin as he looked into my eyes. “Because you’re the only one I see.”
He lowered his lips to mine and chastely brushed them with a kiss. It might have been brief, but it made my pulse race. Was I ever going to get used to how my body reacted to Noah?
“I’m glad I promised you all my dances,” Noah said as he lowered his hands to a more appropriate dancing position. “Because now that I have you in my arms, I’m not sure I’ll be able to let you go.”
“Well, luckily, you don’t have to.” I felt the same way. It had hurt to see him arriving with Veronica tonight. But now that part of the night was over and I had him in my arms, I didn’t want to let go of him either.
We continued dancing for several more songs. I usually hated the dance floor, but I didn’t feel nearly so clumsy when I was swaying in Noah’s strong arms. I probably wouldn’t have complained if we’d stayed on the dance floor all night, but eventually the principal halted the orchestra to welcome everyone to the ball.
He had just started to address the crowd when Noah grabbed my hand. “Let’s go get some fresh air.” There was a sense of urgency in his voice, and he glanced past me as he started to pull me from the room. I looked over my shoulder to see what had caught his attention and saw an older man watching us, a deep frown denting his lined face. The way he was looking at me made my stomach dip with anxiety.
Noah tugged on my hand, and I lost sight of the man in the crowd. I’d only caught a glimpse of him, but it was enough to leave me curious. It felt like Noah was running away from him.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as he led me outside to the courtyard in front of Esher Hall. With everyone inside now, the night was quiet and we were completely alone. I was hoping he’d explain why that man had spooked him, but Noah just smiled lightly.
“That speech is the same every year.” He shrugged. “It goes on forever. I might fall asleep if I have to listen to it again. Besides, I’d much rather spend my time hanging out with you. We can go back inside once the music starts again.”
I didn’t think he was lying, but he wasn’t telling the whole truth either.
Noah lifted his eyebrows. “You’re sad to miss the speech?”
“No, it’s just that…” My voice trailed off as the playful look in Noah’s eyes disappeared. His attention was on the entrance to the ballroom. I turned as the man who’d been watching us walked through the doors, following us from the building.
He was tall and broad for a guy his age, and he walked as if the world might crumble beneath his every prideful step. He held himself in a way that radiated power and with the kind of confident authority that I imagined instilled both fear and respect in those who crossed his path.
When his eyes landed on us, he marched toward us. “Noah, what is the meaning of this?”
Noah gripped my hand a little tighter.
“Grandfather, I didn’t realize you were coming tonight.”
“I can see that.”
Noah cleared his throat and tried to smile, but it didn’t meet his eyes. “But I’m glad you are here. This is Isobel. The girl I was telling you about. Isobel, this is my grandfather, William Hastings.”
Now that the man was standing right before us, I could see the resemblance between the two of them. Noah had his grandfather’s firm jaw and green eyes, but it was the way the old man managed to dismiss me with one sharp look that I thought was their greatest similarity. I’d seen Noah give that same look to other people countless times.
I swallowed and tried to give him a warm smile I didn’t feel. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
Noah’s grandfather barely glanced my way before he returned his focus to Noah. “I don’t give a damn who this girl is. Where’s Veronica?”
“She’s inside. I came with her as you requested,” Noah said, his voice sounding smaller than usual. “But I wanted to be with Isobel.”
“Apparently, I’m going to have to spell things out to you a little more clearly in future. You’re supposed to be ensuring the Cordeaux girl has a nice evening. What do you imagine her parents will think if they see you sneaking off into the shadows with the help?”
“Grandfather!”
I guessed that meant William knew where I came from. Noah sounded far more outraged than I felt. I was no longer ashamed of my past, but I didn’t particularly want to hang around while William Hastings continued to look down his nose at me.
I gently let go of Noah’s hand. “I should go so you can talk with your grandfather,” I murmured.
“You don’t have to leave,” Noah replied.
But I was already taking steps away. There was no way I wanted to get caught between these two. I’d already had more than my fair share of family drama tonight.
“Isobel, there you are.” I turned to see my father walking from the ballroom. “I have to leave and was looking for you to—” He stopped suddenly when he caught sight of Noah’s grandfather, and he seemed to push his shoulders back as he came to stand at my side.
“William,” my father said in greeting.
“Matthew?” William’s expression darkened. “What are you doing here?”
The tension between the two of them was palpable, and it wasn’t hard to work out they not only knew each other but they also weren’t on friendly terms. I shot Noah a confused look, but he appeared just as lost as I was.
Matthew rested a hand on my shoulder. “My daughter attends Weybridge Academy.”
“Your daughter…” William looked at me properly for the first time, and his gaze turned my veins to ice. He quickly spun to face Noah. “You’re telling me that you’ve been dating a LaFleur?”
Noah’s skin seemed to pale, and his expression shifted from confusion to shock as his eyes darted in my direction. “He’s your father?” He took a step back from me. “Matthew LaFleur is your father?”
I slowly nodded, but I was completely lost as to why that seemed to be a problem. I didn’t get a chance to ask because William Hastings kept talking, his voice quaking with emotion.
“That family…” he hissed at Noah. “I will not have you associating with them.”
“I-I didn’t know,” Noah faltered, his eyes darting between me, Matthew, and his grandfather as though he was looking for someone, anyone, to help him understand.
“I don’t care,” his grandfather snapped back. “Your relationship with this girl ends now.”
The man’s words sent a jolt of fear straight to my heart. He wanted Noah to end things with me? Surely, I’d misheard.
“Noah, he can’t be serious.” I reached out to him, but Noah recoiled and refused to meet my gaze.
“Believe me, girl, I am deadly serious.” William Hastings’ eyes sparked with anger as he glared at me. His whole body was tense, and his fists were clenched at his sides. I could practically feel his disdain radiating from him.
“Come, Noah. We’re leaving.” William snapped his fingers and started back toward the ballroom.
“Wait…” Noah started to speak but paused when his grandfather stopped and turned.
“Noah,” he snarled. “I said we’re leaving.”
Noah seemed frozen in place, watching as his grandfather ordered him to follow. His face was still covered in confusion, disbelief and pain, but slowly the anguish seemed to fade, his shoulders sagged in apparent defeat, and he started to nod.
“Okay,” Noah murmured. “Just give me a minute.”
My heart sank at Noah’s response, but William looked satisfied and gave his grandson a brief nod, folding his arms as he waited near the large ballroom doors.
My father cleared his throat, pulling his attention from Noah to look at me. “Isobel, I did warn you,” he said.
“But why?” My voice broke as I spoke. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m afraid it just cannot work.” Matthew slowly shook his head, and there was a hint of sympathy in his eyes. “I’m sorry, but I think this might be the one thing William Hastings and I agree upon.”
I was stunned into silence. Was I the only person who didn’t know what he was talking about? Noah certainly did. His shoulders seemed to slump even further at my father’s words. His head was low, his eyes fixed on the ground, as though he was trying to hide himself from what was happening.
Matthew rested a hand on my shoulder. “This is for the best.”
I shrugged him off and glared at him. “I don’t really care what you think is best for me.”
“Isobel…”
“Weren’t you leaving?”
Matthew hesitated. He looked like he didn’t feel comfortable walking away, but my expression was firm, leaving him no choice. Matthew and Noah’s grandfather might not want us to be together, but this wasn’t up to them. This wasn’t their decision.
“Please, just go,” I said.
Slowly, Matthew released a breath. “Okay, I’ll let you two talk.” He still didn’t seem certain about leaving me with Noah, but he turned and walked back to the ballroom. Thankfully, he didn’t loiter by the open door like Noah’s grandfather who was still watching from a distance. I might not have been happy with Matthew right now, but at least he was willing to afford Noah and I some privacy.
I turned my focus to Noah. The silence that stretched between us felt cold. I was so confused by what had just happened, and the fact Noah still refused to look directly at me only worried me more. His gaze remained on the floor, and I knew he was trying to think, but I didn’t want him processing all this without talking to me. Not when I was so thoroughly in the dark.
“Noah, I don’t understand. Why do your grandfather and my father want us to end things? You’re not going to listen to them, are you?”
“I’m sorry, Isobel,” he whispered, still unable to meet my gaze. “This is just how it has to be.”
“But, why? Noah, if you could just explain…”
His grandfather cleared his throat in the distance, an obvious indication he wanted us to hurry up. I tried to ignore the old man as best I could, but it was almost impossible to pretend he wasn’t there when I could feel his lethal scowl tracing across my skin.
Noah glanced at his grandfather briefly and his shoulders squared as their eyes met. For a moment I thought he might be about to tell his grandfather to go to hell, but then he took a deep breath and turned his hard gaze upon me.
“Explain?” His eyes flashed with anger. “I think you’re the one that owes an explanation. Why did you keep this a secret from me?”
I shook my head, taken aback by his outburst. “I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you.”
“Really? How come you never spoke about your father with me? I asked you who it was that warned you to stay away from me, and you wouldn’t say. It was him, wasn’t it?”
I opened and closed my mouth several times as I tried to figure out how to respond. I’d spent so long worrying about what Noah and my friends would think when they learned about my life back in Rapid Bay, but I never deliberately tried to hide the truth about my father. Now it appeared to Noah as though I’d lied about both. Even if that was the case, I still couldn’t understand why he was so angry with me. His grandfather and my father were the one’s trying to break us up, but all his frustration suddenly seemed directed at me. I looked toward the ballroom and saw William Hastings still glaring down at us.
“You can’t honestly expect me to believe you were oblivious to the feud between our families,” Noah continued, his voice growing louder.
“Feud? What feud? Noah, I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Yes, Matthew warned me about you, but I just assumed it was because you had a bad reputation with girls. I didn’t know about any of this!”
He folded his arms across his chest. “Don’t play dumb with me. So, why’d you do it? Why’d you lure me in? Was it just a sick joke? Or was your family trying to ruin mine more than it already has?”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it. I didn’t try to lure you in, and I wasn’t trying to ruin you. I had no idea there was some tension between your family and my father.”
“Some tension?” Noah scoffed as though my comment was utterly ridiculous. “That’s the understatement of the century.”
I ignored him and continued. “I thought you trusted me.”
“If we could trust each other, you would have told me who you really are.”
“You know who I really am,” I said. “You’ve met my mom. You’ve been to my home. That’s who I am.”
“And yet, the one thing you kept from me is the one thing about you that means we can never be together.”
His words almost struck my legs out from under me. We could never be together? It didn’t sound possible. It was clear Noah must have reasons to dislike Matthew, but I couldn’t understand why it mattered so much to him that I was his daughter. I hadn’t done anything wrong. “This is all because of my father? Noah, I barely know that man.”
“But he is your father.”
“Yes, we’ve established that.” Now I was the one growing angry. “And I’ve only met him twice before tonight. I told you I didn’t know him growing up. Matthew LaFleur was just a name to me until a month ago. You have to believe me.”
As Noah stared at me, I thought I could see the anger briefly dissipating from his eyes, like he was realizing I was telling the truth and the fight was draining from him. I thought that might mean we were reaching a turning point, but the feeling didn’t last long. From the look on his face, I could tell that it didn’t matter what I said. As far as Noah was concerned, we were over. He hadn’t moved a muscle, and yet I could see he was drawing away from me.
“Noah…”
He flinched as he heard his name. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “It doesn’t matter that you didn’t know. It doesn’t change the fact we can’t be together.”
“But why?”
Anger flared across Noah’s face once more and he took two powerful steps forward so he was standing right in front of me, towering over me, his green eyes staring straight into mine. “Because your family is the reason the Hastings empire is in tatters,” he growled. “The reason my father’s legacy is hanging by a thread, and the reason my grandfather and I must do all that we can to save it. My family has lost everything, and it is all because of your father.”
My heart started racing. I knew I only had moments to convince him to reconsider, just seconds to make him realize none of this was my fault, that I was nothing like my father. But how could I argue with someone who had already made up their mind? His eyes were empty now, and I could see he was shutting down on me—distancing himself in a way there was no coming back from.
He turned toward the ballroom, and my stomach dropped with the movement. He was really breaking up with me.
“Noah, please, don’t do this. You said we had the power to choose our own fate. You promised our differences wouldn’t tear us apart.”
He turned his head just slightly, but he kept his eyes from meeting mine. “Like I said, Isobel. This is just how it has to be.” Without another word, he walked across the courtyard toward the ballroom doors, where his grandfather was waiting. William Hastings nodded at his grandson, a stern but satisfied look on his face, and then led him back inside the building, leaving me alone with nothing but the cold night’s empty embrace and tearstained cheeks.
I stood there, shaking as I watched Noah leave. Each step he took was like a dagger straight to my chest. Even after he was gone, I couldn’t seem to move, and I stood in the deep shadows of the courtyard slowly turning numb from the cold that chilled my bones and seeped into my heart. I had no idea how long I stood there. I didn’t really care.
“Isobel?”
I heard a voice in the distance and the crunch of gravel as someone ran up behind me.
“Isobel!”
Strong hands grasped my shoulders, and I slowly peered up into Wes’s gentle eyes. I must have looked far more wrecked than I felt because he immediately pulled me into his arms.
“What’s wrong?” he murmured.
I shook my head, unable to respond. I couldn’t seem to form the words to explain that Noah and I were over. Every time I opened my mouth to try, my brain turned to mush. I’d trusted Noah with my heart, and all he’d done was tear it to shreds.
Wes pulled out of our hug and looked me in the eyes. “Do you want to get out of here?”
“Yes.” I managed to croak the one word.
He pulled his jacket off and laid it over my shoulders as he led me away from the ballroom. I was grateful he didn’t ask any questions. I wasn’t even sure what I would say.
I’d known Noah and I were too different.
I’d predicted things with him would only end in pain.
I’d hoped that perhaps the risk was worth it.
But there was nothing sweet about having your heart destroyed when the shattered pieces left behind were too broken to put together again.
