My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 701

“Benjamin, you promised me,” Isabella pleaded, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

Benjamin studied her for a long moment. The icy resolve in his eyes softened, and at last, he relented. Stepping forward, he scooped Ashley gently into his arms. “Sweetheart, Mommy has something important to do right now. How about Daddy keeps you company for a while, okay?”

Ashley’s lips pursed in a small, unhappy pout, but she nodded obediently. “Okay… but Mommy, you have to come back soon.”

Isabella stroked her daughter’s soft hair. “I will, darling. I’ll be back before you know it.”

She grabbed her phone and slipped out onto the balcony.

The call had disconnected on its own after being unanswered too long. Isabella quickly dialed the number again. This time, the other end picked up almost immediately.

“Mama, when are you coming home?” Dennis’s voice came through, edged with impatience. “I miss you so much.”

Isabella’s tone turned gentle, coaxing. “Dennis, just four more days, and I’ll be home. I’ll be back with you very soon, I promise.”

“Four more days?” Dennis groaned. “But I don’t want to wait! Can’t you come back sooner, Mom?”

Isabella’s heart ached. She wanted nothing more than to reassure him, but her hands were tied. “Dennis, honey, just try to be patient for Mommy, okay?”

She heard him sniffle, then a long pause. At last, Dennis muttered quietly, “Alright… I’ll be patient. Just a little bit. Only a little.”

A warmth bloomed in Isabella’s chest. “Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

They chatted for another ten minutes, Dennis going on about his day. Eventually, Isabella lowered her voice and asked, “Dennis, is Daddy there?”

“Yeah, he’s right here next to me.”

“Can you hand the phone to him, please? I need to talk to Daddy for a minute.”

“Okay.”

There was rustling on the other end, the muffled sound of the phone being passed, and then Andrew’s deep voice came on. “Isabella.”

Isabella’s mind went blank, a chill running down her spine.

Ashley’s sobs were sure to be heard on the other end. Andrew must have caught it.

He had. Because Dennis had wanted to hear his mother, Andrew had put the call on speaker, the sound carrying loud and clear.

As soon as the crying reached him, Dennis leaned forward, eyes wide, staring at the phone. “Mom, there’s a kid crying.”

Andrew glanced at the clock in their living room—almost nine at night. Isabella had told him earlier that evening that she’d already returned to her hotel.

So why was there a child crying in the background?

Isabella had shown him photos—the hotel was a five-star, the kind where the rooms were nearly soundproof. Even if there were children in the rooms next door, the noise would never carry so clearly. This sounded like the child was right beside her.

Andrew’s voice was calm, but edged with something colder. “Where’s that sound coming from?”