Page 146 of The Betrothal

“He’s mad now, Killer,” Seb narrated.

“Sebastian,” Ben warned, holding me even tighter.

“You can either take my name or keep your family name. Once you are transferred into my care, you can do as you wish. You will have an account established for you, although I understand that you have an inheritance due, I recognise it’s a husband’s responsibility to support his wife and I will meet those obligations as best I can. I want none of your cash, your assets, I hold no claim over anything you have, nor do I lay a claim to anything in your future. Not even you.”

I waited for him to continue, but he didn’t.

“You don’t want me?”

“As if that’s the bit you choose to focus on, Isabelle!” He inhaled sharply. “You’re free. You can go wherever you like. Our name will offer you some protection and I’ll uphold my responsibility to ensure you have whatever you need to live your life. However you choose to live it.”

“I can do what I want?” I whispered.

Seb’s grip on my hand tightened. I observed the way he glared at Alex.

“What he means, Killer, is that you can choose your future. But we would prefer it if you chose us?” Seb corrected. “Right, Alex?”

Alex glowered at Seb.

“Do you want us, Izzy?” Ben whispered in my ear.

I shuddered. Lost for words.

Alex was offering me my freedom, I could move, travel, work. I had money. I had a choice.

I felt the warmth of the arms around me, the slight shake in Seb’s grip of my hand. The unspoken hurt in Alex as he stared at me, looming over the bottom of the bed.

I collapsed deeper into Ben. “You want me?”

“For the love of God, Killer. What do we need to say to convince you? Alex hasn’t declared he loved anyone since… well, ever,” Seb griped.

“Me aside,” Ben added.

“Show off.” Seb jostled us. “So, what will it be, Killer?”

CHAPTER FORTY

ISABELLE

Ihugged Sophie tightly, Liz leaning in to peck me on both cheeks, demanding I call them if I needed anything before bustling her wife into the car and disappearing down the winding driveway.

“What now?” Ben had wrapped me back into his hold as soon as Sophie released me. He wasn’t done with reassuring himself that I was back and I had no interest in stopping him.

I couldn’t believe I was back with them any more than they could believe they had me back.

“I stink, my makeup is still everywhere and I want to wash yesterday’s entire ordeal off me.” I turned, Ben remaining plastered to my back, and shuffled back indoors.

“Let me check you over again first.” Seb had a handful of medical devices laid out on the kitchen table. His tone brooked no argument so I didn’t bother.

I slid onto the chair he’d pulled out and allowed him to wrap the blood-pressure cuff around my arm. “Any dizziness this morning?”

“I’ve already told you, no,” I sassed.

He raised a brow but carried on. “Do you feel tired or groggy? The sedatives could affect you for a few days.”

“Seb,” I moaned.

He lifted a thermometer and I opened my mouth for him to place it under my tongue.