Chapter 173: 173

“Wow,” Derek murmured, the brushed metal of the timepiece catching the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights. He slid the heavy watch over his wrist, the leather strap stiff and smelling of luxury. “Looks… I don’t know. Bossy, I guess.” He added.

It was a quiet Christmas morning in Isabella’s apartment. She hadn’t gone overboard with the tinsel this year—just a single, elegantly decorated pine in the corner that filled the room with the scent of needles and cold air. Their parents were miles away on a tropical escape; Tessa was currently lost in the honeymoon phase of her new relationship; and Olivia… Olivia was away, choosing the safety of her own company. The silence of the apartment made the bond between the two siblings feel tighter, more exclusive.

Isabella laughed, a bright sound in the quiet room. “Well, you’re the boss of the foundation now, Derek. I figured you needed something that demanded more respect. Something that fits the persona.” She reached out, taking his hand to admire the way the watch face sat against his skin. “It really does suit you. Do you actually like it?”

Derek’s usual mask of indifference softened. Genuine appreciation flickered in his dark eyes as he looked at her. “I love it, Izzy. Truly. Thank you.”

Izzy beamed, her eyes dancing with anticipation. “Good. Now, my turn,” she said, her voice giddy. “Hand it over.”

Derek reached for the oversized box beside him, a smudge of pride tugging at the corner of his mouth. He watched with a silent, steady grin as Isabella tore into the thick, cream-colored wrapping paper with the zeal of a child.

As the lid came off, the room seemed to fill with the rich, heady scent of high-end leather. Isabella lifted the jacket first. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship—midnight black, buttery-soft lambskin with heavy silver hardware that felt substantial in her hands. It was edgy enough for her personality but tailored with the kind of precision that screamed designer. Beneath it lay the boots. Featuring a sleek, polished finish and a silhouette that looked like it could stomp through a boardroom or a dive bar with equal grace.

“Oh my God,” Isabella whispered, her fingers tracing the stitching on the lapel. She looked at the boots, her eyes shimmering with a hit of shock. “Derek, they’re… they’re stunning. They look like they cost a small fortune.”

Derek leaned back, not even trying to hide the satisfaction radiating from him. “Well, they should, because they did,” he joked, though his voice was warm.

The next second, he was muffled by a face-full of Isabella’s hair as she threw her arms around his neck in a fierce, bone-crushing hug. “I love them! I love them so much, Derek,” she pulled back just enough to plant a loud, sisterly kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, adjusting his collar as she let go. “Maybe if I buy you the expensive stuff more often, you’ll start being nice to me more often.”

Isabella scrunched her nose, a playful glint in her eye. “Hmm… it’s a strong bribe, but I make no promises. I’ll take it under consideration.”

Derek chuckled, the sound deep and relaxed. “Merry Christmas, little sister.”

“Merry Christmas, brother. You really outdid yourself.” She leaned over, her curiosity piqued by the two more boxes tucked away by his side. “Wait, whose are those? Please tell me they aren't for me, or I’m going to feel like the world's worst sibling for only getting you one gift.”

Derek smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes this time. He picked up the smaller of the two, handing it to her. “Relax. This one is for Tessa.”

Isabella took it, turning the neat package over in her hands. “That’s really sweet of you, Derek. I'm sure she'll love it… Whatever it is,”

Then, Derek’s gaze drifted to the final box. He held it for a moment longer than necessary, his thumb brushing the edge of the ribbon. The confidence he’d had a moment ago seemed to dip, replaced by a raw, cautious man. He extended the box toward Isabella, his hand steady but his expression a bit guarded.

“And this… this is for Liv.” He didn't look up as he spoke, his voice dropping an octave. “Could you… would you mind giving it to her for me? Please?”

Isabella didn't reach for the box. Instead, she leaned back against the sofa cushions, crossing her arms over her new leather jacket. “Why should I? You know where she lives, so you know where to find her,”

Derek’s hand remained extended in the air, the gift for Olivia hovering between them. “Izzy, please,” he said, his voice tightening with a flicker of frustration. “Don’t make this a thing. Just take it.”

“Oh, I’m making it a thing,” Isabella countered, her gaze unwavering. “I’ll play errand girl for you when it comes to Tess, but with Liv? Hell no.” She lowered her voice, the playful sibling banter dropping away to reveal something much sharper. “I’ve never seen you like this before, Derek.”

Derek pulled the gift back, resting it on his knee. He looked down at the wrapping. “Like what?”

“So… humbled,” she said.

A short, dry laugh escaped Derek’s throat. He couldn't help it. He leaned his head back against the chair, staring up at the ceiling where the Christmas lights reflected in small, blurred diamonds. “Humbled,” he repeated softly. “Yeah. That’s one word for it.”

“You love her,” Isabella continued, her tone softening but remaining firm. “And despite everything that's happened, I know Liv still loves you, too. But Derek, she’s had a tough year when it comes to relationships. She needs to know she can trust you with her heart without you dropping it the second you get scared of your own feelings. You can't blame her for wanting that reassurance.”

Derek looked up then, the "boss" persona Isabella had joked about earlier nowhere to be found. In its place was a man who looked exhausted by his own mistakes.

“I understand, and I don’t blame her for not trusting me,” he said, his voice dropping to a gravelly honesty. “I want to give her that assurance. I want to give her everything I can, but I don’t know if she’ll even let me through the front door. I don't know if she'll welcome me back into her life or if she even wants to talk to me .”

He looked at the wrapped gift, and a small, lopsided smile tugged at his lips. It was a mix of affection and genuine dread. “Yeah, she’s sweet and she’s cute,” Derek muttered, shaking his head. “But she’s really scary when she’s angry, Izzy. She's your friend. You should know what she's like.”