Chapter 18
Lena's POV
"I know about the contract ending," Isabelle said suddenly.
My heartbeat stuttered.
"I'm sorry you've been put through this," she continued, disapproval thick in her tone. " That boy doesn't know how lucky he is. Doesn't know how to value you."
I opened my mouth, then closed it. Couldn't find words.
"But you need to remember something," she said, meeting my eyes. "No matter what happens between you and Rowan, I've always thought of you as my daughter. That won't change."
My throat tightened.
"If you ever need anything—work, personal, whatever—you can always come to me," she said. "I'm here."
I nodded. "Okay."
She gave my hand one more pat, then let go. "Go get some rest. You look exhausted."
"What about you?"
"I'm staying here tonight." She smiled. "Meeting some old friends tomorrow—easier to leave from here."
I stood. "Goodnight, then."
"Goodnight, sweetheart."
I turned toward the stairs.
My footsteps were quiet, but each one felt heavy.
Back in the bedroom, I shut the door and leaned against it.
Took a deep breath.
Then walked to the bed and picked up the half-full wineglass.
Drained it in one swallow.
The bitterness lingered on my tongue. I set the glass down on the nightstand, harder than I meant to. The soft clink sounded loud in the silence.
I thought about what Isabelle had said.
I've always thought of you as my daughter.
How strange that a woman I'd known for two years could make me feel more seen, more cared for, than the one who'd given birth to me.
Vivian had spent my entire childhood sculpting me into the perfect tool. The right posture. The right answers. The right amount of silence at the dinner table. Every move calculated to serve Grant family interests.
But Isabelle asked how I was feeling.
And meant it.
I pulled off my blazer and hung it in the closet. Changed into a t-shirt and sleep shorts. The motions felt automatic, like I was watching someone else go through them.
In the bathroom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. Stared at my reflection in the mirror.
The woman looking back at me had clear eyes and composed features. Nothing in her expression suggested she'd just spent an entire day watching her husband's ex-girlfriend insert herself into every corner of her professional life.
Nothing suggested she'd gone home and drunk half a glass of wine alone in her bedroom.
I looked fine.
Completely fine.
I turned off the light and climbed into bed.
The sheets were cool against my skin. I pulled the comforter up to my chin and lay there in the dark, staring at the ceiling.
Three weeks.
Twenty-one days until the contract ended.
I could survive three more weeks of Nora's calculated smiles. Three more weeks of watching Rowan not quite meet my eyes during meetings. Three more weeks of pretending none of it mattered.
I'd survived worse.
Outside, wind moved through the trees around the estate. Branches scraped against the window, a soft rhythmic sound.
I closed my eyes.
Sleep didn't come easily. But eventually, exhaustion won out.
When I finally drifted off, I dreamed of nothing at all.
Rowan's POV
I got back to Lakeview Estate at ten-thirty.
The living room lights were still on. Mother sat on the sofa with a book in her hands, but she clearly wasn't reading—her eyes found me too quickly.
"You're home." She closed the book. "Sit."
I loosened my tie and dropped into the armchair across from her.
"How was your dinner?" Her tone was calm, but I caught the edge underneath.
"Fine." I leaned back. "Just the usual social thing."
"Usual?" She raised an eyebrow. "You got out with another woman and got back so late, while leaving your wife alone at home. That's usual?"
I stayed quiet for a few seconds.
News traveled fast.
"I just took Nora back home and had a talk with Lucas," I said, pressing my temple. "Mother, if you're trying to lecture me about Nora—"
"I want to talk about Lena." She cut me off, her voice suddenly sharp. "You attended your ex-girlfriend's birthday party, let people gossip about her, and now parachute that woman into Lena's project—Rowan, what the hell are you thinking?"
"It's a work arrangement." I kept my voice level. "The Kane family partnership with Reynolds Industries requires—"
"Don't give me that corporate BS." Mother stood and walked over to me. "I'm asking you straight: Are you planning to marry Nora?"
"No." The answer came instantly.
"Do you even like her?"
"No."
"Then why are you dragging her back into your life?" Her voice rose. "Why make such a show of it in front of Lena?"
I closed my eyes.
I'd asked myself the same question more times than I could count.
"It's... complicated," I finally said. "But I can promise you, I have no intentions toward Nora."
"Complicated?" Mother let out a bitter laugh. "Are you protecting the Kane family? Or just your own pride?"
I didn't answer.
She stared at me for a long moment, then shook her head. "You're a complete idiot. That girl is the best thing that ever happened to you, and you're throwing it away."
"She doesn't care." The words came out harsher than I meant them to. "Mother, you know what our marriage is. She's just counting down the days until the contract ends so she can move on to the next suitable arrangement."
Even as I said it, the words tasted wrong.
"You're even dumber than I thought." Mother sighed. "Fine. I'm done trying to talk sense into you. But let me make this clear—even if you and Lena divorce, she's the only daughter-in-law I'll ever acknowledge. As for Nora Kane, don't even think about bringing her through that door."
She turned and headed upstairs.
I sat there, staring at the cigar box on the coffee table.
Didn't light one.
Finally stood and went up.