My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 768

Andrew Lane trusted Isabella Austin, no matter what anyone else might say. Isabella was, and always would be, Dennis Lane’s mother—his wife in the eyes of the law. That was an indisputable fact.

He had made a promise to Isabella: he would protect her and Dennis. And he was a man who kept his word.

He didn’t bother to respond to Benjamin Gomez’s attempts to sow discord. “So, when are you letting her go?” he asked, his tone steady.

Benjamin let out a sharp, mocking sigh. “You’re remarkably forgiving, Mr. Lane. Most men would lose their minds if their wife spent two weeks living under the same roof as her ex. You, on the other hand, don’t seem to care at all. Aren’t you worried what might happen with just the two of us here, alone?”

Andrew’s voice was unwavering. “She’s not staying with you by choice.”

A flicker of annoyance crossed Benjamin’s face, but his composure didn’t waver.

“It’s you who’s forcing her,” Andrew continued, calm but resolute.

Benjamin suddenly broke into a laugh—a darker, more sinister sound than before. “You really do trust her, don’t you? Not bothered about being made a fool of?”

The way Andrew and Isabella trusted one another, shutting everyone else out, drove Benjamin crazy. He clenched his fists under the table, jaw tight with frustration, but there was nothing he could do.

Andrew’s voice dropped, steady and low. “Five years have passed. Whatever happened between you and her, it’s time you let it go. Holding on like this will only make her hate you more.”

Benjamin gave a short, bitter laugh. “Let it go? Would you be so calm if you knew what she’d done?”

Andrew’s gaze sharpened. “What did she do?”

Benjamin pulled out his phone, his tone dismissive. “Why should I tell you? That’s between me and her. None of your business.”

Andrew said nothing, simply watching him.

Benjamin fiddled with his phone, tapping the screen. “Didn’t you want to know if she’s willing to come back? I’ll call her right now. Just listen.”

He didn’t wait for Andrew’s response. The call went through, and he put it on speaker.

There was a pause on the other end, then Isabella’s voice, incredulous and hushed: “What did you just say?”

Benjamin smiled, repeating his question as if he had all the patience in the world.

Isabella inhaled sharply, silent for a moment. “You’d really let me go?”

“Of course,” Benjamin replied.

“Why?”

He shrugged, though she couldn’t see. “No reason. If I say you can leave now, then you can leave.”

There was another long pause. “...I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

At first, Isabella felt relieved when she heard Benjamin’s words—then uncertainty crept in. Benjamin had always found ways to keep her there, always coming up with new excuses to delay her departure, even going so far as to force her into playing house with him for a month. So why, after meeting with Andrew Lane, was he suddenly offering her freedom? It didn’t make sense.