Chapter 408

Chapter 408:

Grayson walked into the room in a dark cashmere sweater and slacks — casual, but his presence still managed to drain the oxygen from the air the moment he crossed the threshold.

He stopped dead when he saw Isolde standing in the center of the rug. His eyes widened slightly. His chest went still.

“You’re here,” Grayson said, his voice a low, rough whisper.

The tension in the drawing room was a physical weight.

Beatrice tapped her cane. “Tea is served in the garden. Grayson, escort your ex-wife.” It was not a suggestion. It was a direct command to parley.

Isolde turned and walked out through the glass doors onto the sprawling, manicured terrace. Grayson followed a step behind.

The garden was a maze of perfectly pruned rose bushes and white marble statues. A wrought-iron table was set with fine china.

Isolde sat down stiffly. Grayson took the seat directly opposite her.

Effie immediately ran out onto the open lawn, chasing a yellow butterfly, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the adults.

𝖬𝗈rе 𝗇𝘰𝘃𝗲𝘭s о𝘯 𝗴a𝗅𝗻𝗈𝗏е𝘭𝘴.сom

Then the back door of the mansion banged open.

Kaiden ran out, holding a toy airplane. He stopped abruptly when he saw the people at the table. His eyes locked onto Isolde. A flicker of confusion crossed his face, then instinct took over. He took a half-step forward, his mouth opening.

“Mom—” he started, the sound soft and automatic.

The word hung in the air, sharp and devastating. He had called her that for five years, before Belle had returned to claim him. It was an instinctual slip of a child’s tongue.

Isolde’s heart seized. A violent, agonizing cramp twisted in her chest. She looked at the boy she had raised — the boy who had been weaponized against her own daughter — and forced herself to look away, staring blankly at her empty teacup.

A moment later, Belle rushed out of the house, her face flushed with panic and rage.

“Kaiden!” Belle hissed, her voice a low, furious whisper as she grabbed the boy by the arm and yanked him backward. “Come here p>

Kaiden looked from Isolde to Belle, his confusion hardening into fear. He clamped his mouth shut.

“I am your mother,” Belle muttered through gritted teeth, her eyes darting around to see who might have overheard. She shot a venomous glare at Isolde before dragging the boy back inside.

Grayson watched the entire exchange. He saw the flash of pain in Isolde’s eyes before she buried it. A heavy, sickening wave of guilt washed over him. He had created this mess entirely on his own.

Beatrice, seated at the head of the table, waved her hand. “Grayson. Take Isolde to see the new rose garden.” Another command. She wanted them out of earshot.

Isolde stood without a word and walked down the gravel path. Grayson caught up quickly, falling into step beside her among the towering red blooms.

He could feel the heat radiating from her skin. He could smell her perfume. It was intoxicating and infuriating.

“You look tired, Isolde,” Grayson said, his voice dropping to a softer, almost intimate register.