My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1031

Isabella’s eyes flickered as she finally gave in. “You’re right. I’m Dennis’s mom. I have every right to protect him.”

Benjamin gave her shoulder a gentle pat. “Then don’t wait. Call him now, okay?”

She took out her phone, nodding quietly. Andrew’s number was still saved in her contacts. They had stayed in touch for Dennis’s sake, messaging from time to time. Without hesitating, she pressed call.

Andrew always picked up quickly if he wasn’t busy with work or in a meeting. This time was no different.

The line connected and Isabella spoke, her voice soft. “Andrew?”

His deep voice came through the phone. “You want to see Dennis? He’s not with me at the moment, but maybe later...”

“No,” Isabella cut in, her words tumbling out in a rush. “That’s not why I called. I... I have a favor to ask.”

As soon as she said it, her heart started pounding and her stomach twisted with nerves. She waited, barely breathing.

She could hear car horns in the background on Andrew’s end. There was a pause. Then his words, flat and cold, broke through any lingering hope. “Isabella, I already told you. That was the last time I’d help you.”

A few months back, Andrew had helped her get a flight out of the country, making sure the police didn’t catch on. He hadn’t hesitated.

Andrew didn’t answer.

The tears slid down her cheeks, and Benjamin gently wiped them away.

She tried to explain, her voice trembling. “You know why I have to fight for everything. You know why I try so hard to be perfect. I grew up in the Austin family, and then one day I found out I wasn’t even their real daughter. Because of that, my grandfather started to hate me. I had to be perfect, just to make him like me again. If I didn’t keep pushing myself, he’d tell everyone I wasn’t really his granddaughter. I didn’t have a choice, Andrew. You know that.”

Andrew’s voice was still low and soft.

“But Isabella, from what I remember, you did the same kinds of things when you were abroad, way before your family found out you weren’t their biological daughter.”