My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 700

A few days ago, it was just like this—if she stepped away for even a moment, he’d come looking, watching her relentlessly, making it nearly impossible to get anything done.

Still, Benjamin Gomez wasn’t always so strict. Sometimes, when Dennis Lane was having a meltdown, he’d permit her to make a calming phone call.

Thankfully, only four days remained. In four days, she’d finally repay everything she owed Benjamin Gomez.

Isabella Austin pressed her fingers into her palm, forcing herself to muster a small smile.

Ashley Gomez hopped up from the carpet and ran straight into Isabella’s arms, her little voice soft and curious. “Mommy, where did you go?”

Isabella bent down, scooping Ashley up and patting her back reassuringly. “Mommy just had to make a quick call. See? I’m back now.”

Behind them, Benjamin Gomez loosened his tie, a faint smile on his lips as he watched the two of them together. There was a gentle warmth in his eyes, almost wistful.

It was such a perfect picture—something he’d always wanted but never truly had.

Ashley pouted, her arms tight around Isabella’s neck, her voice small and plaintive. “Mommy.”

Isabella hummed softly. “What is it, sweetheart?”

Ashley’s face scrunched with a hint of hurt. “Mommy, why can’t I call you ‘Mommy’ when we’re outside?”

Isabella’s smile faltered for a moment.

Ashley lowered her voice, almost whispering, as if afraid of the answer. “Is it because you don’t want me, Mommy? Is that why you haven’t come to see me in so long?”

From the day she was born, Ashley had been cherished and spoiled by Benjamin. She’d never had to feel this small or pitiful before.

Just watching, Benjamin felt something twist painfully in his chest.

Isabella had no idea how to respond. Her nerves were taut as she tried her best to answer gently, “It’s not that Mommy doesn’t want you. Mommy just thinks… this is our little secret—just between you and me. No one else knows.”

His face was hard to read—expressionless, eyes deep and unreadable, staring at her in a way that made her heart race.

Isabella’s confidence faltered, and she quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze.

She played with Ashley for a while, but at precisely eight-thirty, her phone began to ring.

That was the time she and Dennis Lane had agreed on.

Because Isabella was away on business so often, Dennis had made her promise to call at this exact time every night, so they could talk with Tristan for a while.

Isabella pulled out her phone, looking to Benjamin for help.

But he remained impassive, standing silently behind her, his cold gaze never wavering.