My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1025

With divorce looming, there was nothing else Mr. Austin could say. He just let out a heavy sigh, then stepped over and put his arm around Mrs. Austin’s shoulder. “Alright, alright, I won’t do it anymore. Please, don’t be mad.”

Mrs. Austin shook his hand off. Even though he’d promised, she still looked upset. “Let’s just go home. It’s already so late.”

Upstairs, Benjamin Gomez and Juliana Silva stood quietly on the corridor outside the ballroom, watching the whole scene unfold below. They were too far away to catch any words, but the body language said it all. The Austins were fighting.

Juliana Silva—no, Isabella Austin—couldn’t hide her worry. She remembered what Emily Blair had said, and she clenched her fists in frustration. “It’s all Emily’s fault. If it weren’t for her, I could actually be with my parents. Sometimes I wish she’d just disappear.”

Benjamin reached out and gently patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m here for you.”

Isabella leaned into him, voice barely above a whisper. “Benjamin, do I really have to hide from them forever? I miss them so much. I know they miss me too. I can’t stand seeing them so heartbroken over me.”

Benjamin pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “You worked so hard to disappear and start over. You changed everything about yourself to come back with a new identity. The story I set up for you still isn’t perfect. If someone really looks, they could find out. The less anyone knows, the safer you’ll be. Even your parents. If anyone finds out who you are, you’ll be in real danger.”

“If people knew you’re Isabella Austin, you wouldn’t even get to watch your parents from a distance,” he murmured. “This really is the best we can do.”

Tears welled up in Isabella’s eyes. “I know. It’s just… it hurts so much.”

“I know.” Benjamin’s voice was gentle. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She wiped her tears, her voice shaking. “Did you hear what Emma George said? That Emily Blair is my parents’ real daughter. How is that possible? How could Emily be their daughter?”

Benjamin rubbed her back. “I know. I heard…”

Isabella was shaking with anger. “I knew it was a lie the second I heard it. Emily Blair destroyed my life, and now she’s trying to trick my parents and take my family’s money. Thank god my parents didn’t fall for it. If they did, I’d never forgive her.”

If it hadn’t been for Emily, none of this would’ve happened. She wouldn’t have had to fake her death, run away overseas, or go through the pain of surgery. It was all because of Emily. Every bit of it.

Benjamin wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she trembled.

Isabella’s hands tightened into fists. Her hatred for Emily ran deep. She clutched Benjamin’s shirt. “You’ll help me, right? You promised.”

Isabella’s eyes were a little brighter. “I trust you.”

Benjamin took her left hand in his, turning it over and holding it gently. Isabella’s cheeks flushed and she tried to pull away. “What are you doing?”

He opened her hand, exposing the scab that had just started to heal. His voice was quiet. “Did Emily do this?”

Isabella nodded. “I told you before. When she cut me, for a second I thought she recognized me and did it on purpose. But now, thinking about it, there’s no way she knows who I am. If she did, she wouldn’t be so nice to me, wouldn’t act so concerned.”

Benjamin’s eyes grew thoughtful. “But how do you know she isn’t just pretending?”

Isabella froze. “What do you mean?”

He glanced down at the scar. “Do you really think Emily Blair is the kind of person who’d be that warm-hearted?”