Chapter 237 Chapter 237.

Chapter 237 Chapter 237.
Isabella. 

Jun raised a brow. “You do not need courage with Luca. You never have. You do not even need to try most of the time. Do you know why he was in your house? He went to beg you. Beg. Did you even listen to his voice recording?”

My throat tightened as I nodded slowly. “I listened to it this morning. I could not even finish it without feeling like the worst person alive. I do not know what to do anymore, Jun. He is so cold. He did not sleep in the room. He barely looks at me. That is not Luca. I miss him.”

He softened slightly, but only slightly.

“It has not even been a full day,” he said. “You will survive. I cannot push him too much on this because I actually like being alive, and if I get on his nerves right now, I might lose that privilege. I tried, but this time, he is genuinely angry. What you did hit him hard.”

I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Then I will just have to figure something out.”

He pushed the restaurant door open, glancing at me sideways. “I do not know. Maybe try seducing him or something. I doubt he would resist.”

I let out a small huff, shaking my head. “He would not. He can eat out my palms if I do that. But that is exactly why I will not do it. It feels wrong. I do not want to manipulate him into forgiving me. I want to fix this properly.”

Jun chuckled. “That sounds noble. Good luck with that, pretty.”

I pouted slightly. “Thank you. Are you still annoyed at me?”

He frowned. “Annoyed? Who told you that?”

“You were ignoring me last night.”

He scoffed. “I was trying not to get caught in the middle of whatever storm you two have going on. I like my head exactly where it is.”

I let out a small breath. “Fair enough. Has he eaten?”

Jun shook his head. “I do not think so. Luca does not usually eat breakfast unless he is getting it for you.”

My chest tightened again. “I know. But we are not exactly together anymore, so I do not want to assume anything.”

He gave me a look. “Define not together anymore when he let you sleep in his room.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

Because I had no answer.

We reached the counter, and I forced myself to focus. “Good morning. Can I get the breakfast platter, please? Add extra sauces. Thank you.”

“Cash or card?” the attendant asked.

“Card,” I replied, reaching into my purse, only to pause when Jun slid his own card forward before I could.

I turned to him, narrowing my eyes. “What was that for?”

He smirked slightly. “I am not about to let a doll pay for her own food.”

I blinked. “Doll? Who exactly are you calling a doll?”

“You,” he said easily, taking his card back. “But do not let Luca hear that. I value my life.”

I shrugged lightly, though my chest felt heavy. “I do not think he would care right now.”

Jun groaned. “No. Absolutely not. We are not starting this overthinking spiral this early in the morning.”

“Fine,” I muttered.

By the time we got back, Jun carried the box while I pushed the office door open.

Luca had not moved.

He was still in the same position, still focused, still distant.

But this time, his eyes lifted.

And for that one second, I let myself smile at him.

He gave me nothing in return.

I walked into the room quietly and changed into fluffy pants before grabbing the file I had prepared. My hands steadied as I walked back out and placed it on the couch near him, then moved to the table where Jun had dropped the food.

The smell made my stomach growl, reminding me I had not eaten properly in a while.

I prepared a plate carefully, arranging pancakes and eggs with sauce, and carried it to Luca. I stood there for a moment, waiting, hoping.

Nothing.

I let out a quiet sigh. “You should eat, Luca.”

No response.

I turned away and made my own plate before sitting down near my files, eating in silence for a few moments before clearing my throat.

“So… I have something to show you.”

Jun straightened immediately. “What is it?”

I tossed the file toward him, and he caught it easily.

“These are all the evidence I gathered on Daniel while I was working at his company,” I explained, my voice steadier now. “I have been thinking about it for a while, and I have decided that I want to put him behind bars.”

I took another bite before continuing, my tone more serious. “And this is not about what he did to me personally. This is about the people out there who are consuming his products without any idea of the damage he is causing.”

Jun flipped through the pages, grimacing. “I am sorry, but your father is disgusting.”

“I know,” I said quietly, then looked at Luca. “Will this work? Is it enough, Luca?”

He finally looked at me properly.

“Yeah,” he said. “It is time he faces consequences.”

My stomach flipped.

He spoke to me.

But just as quickly, he looked away again.

I forced myself to keep eating. “Luca, I am going out this evening..."

He stiffened instantly.

My heart jumped. “No, wait, I mean just to the salon. I need to style my hair and fix my nails.”

His jaw tightened. “Alright.”

I exhaled slowly, relaxing just a little.

I picked up a grape, still watching him, still thinking, still trying to figure out how to fix everything, and before I even realized it, I swallowed wrong.

The grape caught in my throat, and I started coughing violently, panic rushing through me.

Before I could even react properly, Luca was already in front of me.

“Jun, get water from the fridge. Now.”

His voice was sharp, commanding, urgent.

Jun moved instantly, handing him the bottle, and Luca opened it quickly before bringing it to my lips.

“Drink.”

I did, my eyes locked on his as I swallowed desperately, the water easing the burn in my throat.

He pulled the bottle away slightly, his gaze scanning my face.

“You okay?”

For a second, I almost said no.

Just to keep him here.

Just to make him stay close.

He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “Do not lie. I can see right through you. Maybe next time, try keeping water close when you are eating.”

And just like that, the distance returned.