Chapter 7
Grant lost all Lombardi access immediately.
No meetings.
No collectors.
No capos.
No private previews.
No use of my name socially.
He called it humiliation.
“No.”
I told him.
“It is separation.”
Important.
He still had Hale.
His own contacts.
His own money.
His own family.
He simply no longer got to merge himself into mine through marriage.
He asked:
“What about Isabella?”
I looked at her.
Her answer.
She said:
“I’m leaving.”
Simple.
Grant’s face collapsed.
“Bella.”
She flinched at the nickname.
Noted.
He stepped forward.
I did not move.
She raised one hand herself.
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
Good.
I wanted that moment for her.
Not me standing between them forever.
She continued.
“I kept waiting for you to become the man you are when nobody is threatened.”
Then:
“But that man only exists when everyone gives you what you want.”
Grant cried.
Real tears.
May you like
Love may have existed.
Still not enough.
