s he watched the two lo

He turned around, scooped up Ella in his arms, met James's gaze d

mile only made James's expr

ore saying in a low, threatening tone, "If I'm not mistaken, most of your company's projec

d his face went blank without responding. Seeing his reaction, James lo

ver the place, but there wa

ght, she quickly took Ella fro

ly both grateful and worried. "Thank

hem, but it's not nearly as bad as he made it sound. Everything's in writi

urn, but no smart businessm

ct, it'd mess with Bennett Corp'

Maria could only pretend to relax

nearby. Thought I saw someone famil

se and happiness

rs ago-but then she went abroad, and it was like she vanished com

d you ge

terd

noticed Ella next to him, crouched down w

lit up as she opene

up, gently tapped her nose, and couldn't help but s

"Not even curious who he

rted without thinking. "You

p down, he'd a

d mouth were all James. Anyone with eyes coul

at David. She seemed lost in thought for a second, th

leave again this time

t I'm not lea

ve been gone for so long-you gotta catch up with them," D

ahead and

ed without

it was Isabella. She said she

forever to come out, seriously. But the good ne

busy, David nodded a

a tugged at Maria's dress

aughter's gaze, watching David's back slowly fade away into the dis

he lines on his face from time did something to him-a

ch? Did James already leave? When?" Isabella suddenl

brushed it off. "Nothing really

ds into their booster seats and took t

ella instantly kic

you watching l

ook, sighed, and s

ed on in high school? Whe

her. "Can you not? Th

back a little.

that's all. He helped me out w

a nice guy. No wonder

outside. Her voice was light, swept aw

little ones in the back shared a wide-eyed gla

As soon as they got home,

it wasn't much work. She just microwaved the leftovers, and

k, gave the kids a little pep talk, kissed

were somet

even empty, Ella dragge

arms as she whispered, "Bro, that guy kinda