Timothy and Isabella went back and forth on her flimsy excuses. He could barely contain his jealousy and the thought of what he feared despite them being divorced.

He ran his fingers through his hair anxiously and turned to her. “You are protecting him.”

Isabella’s eyes widened. “Why would I do that?”

"Isabella," he began, his voice betraying his anxiety, "do you still love Vincent?"

Isabella's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. For a moment, she was speechless, the unexpected question hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. She quickly composed herself, her mind racing to find the right words to reassure Timothy.

"Timothy," she said softly,...