Chapter 7: Isabella's Defiance Ends in Disaster

Sophie's POV

I stood in what would soon be my new home—if you could call a partitioned corner of someone else's living room "home." At 300 square feet, the entire apartment was smaller than the walk-in closet I'd been using at Agate Island.

"So, this would be your space," Sarah, my potential roommate, gestured to the corner she'd sectioned off with a folding screen. "We can add more privacy screens if you need them. The rent is seven hundred, utilities included."

I nodded, mentally calculating the remainder of my savings after paying the security deposit. Two hundred dollars wouldn't last long in Bay City, but the job at Pike's Fish Market started tomorrow.

"I'll take it," I said, "Can I move in today?"

Sarah's eyebrows shot up. "That's... unusually quick. Most people want to sleep on it."

"I'm sure," I replied, forcing a smile. "I just need to pick up my things."

---

I headed straight back to Agate Island after signing the lease.

I had just finished packing my suitcase when the doorbell rang. Adam should still be asleep at this hour, I thought, hesitating for a moment before heading to answer the door.

I opened the door to find a stunning woman standing there. She wore an exquisite white dress that seemed to float around her like seafoam. Her blonde hair was styled in elegant waves that framed a perfectly made-up face.

"You must be Sophie White." Her smile was practiced perfection, not quite reaching her eyes. "I'm Isabella Kent, Adam's... dear friend."

The slight pause before 'dear friend' was deliberate, I was sure. I'd heard enough about Isabella Kent in the past few weeks – the whispered conversations among the guests, the knowing looks at social events.

"Hello," I replied simply, keeping my tone polite but neutral.

Isabella made her way to the living room. "Would you be a dear and fetch some Darjeeling? Adam always keeps it for my visits."

I turned toward the kitchen, but her light laugh stopped me. "On second thought, you probably wouldn't know how to properly prepare it. The tea set Adam imported from London requires... a certain touch. I'll do it myself."

I watched as she navigated the tea room with practiced ease, handling the delicate bone china with familiar confidence.

Isabella gestured for me to sit across from her as she began the elaborate ritual of tea preparation.

"Try this," she said, pushing a delicate teacup toward me. "I'm rather particular about tea, so Adam always ensures he has my preferred blend on hand."

I took a polite sip. "It's nice."

Her perfectly shaped eyebrows lifted slightly. "Your first time having Darjeeling, I assume? Well, we all have our... proper places in life. Some people are simply meant for simpler things."

"You know," Isabella continued, her voice honey-sweet with underlying venom, "I've been in Adam's life for seven years now. I'm practically the lady of Agate Island already. Adam... he's destined for greater things. He needs someone who understands his world, don't you agree, Miss White?"

I met her gaze directly, dropping the polite pretense. "If you're so perfect for him, why aren't you the actual lady of the manor after seven years? Did Adam not want to make it official?"

Her composed expression cracked for just a moment, revealing something ugly underneath. "How dare you—" She caught herself, smoothing her features back into their practiced smile. "One word from me, and you'll be leaving Agate Island immediately."

"Perfect timing," I said cheerfully, standing up. "I just rented a new apartment. If I leave now, I can make it in time to cook lunch."

Isabella's perfect smile froze as I walked back upstairs to grab my bag.

"You... you can't just leave," she stammered, her carefully constructed poise crumbling.

"Actually, I can. And unlike some people, I don't need seven years to figure out where I stand. Thanks for the tea, Ms. Kent. The manor is all yours."

"Stop." The command froze me mid-step. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I found a place near campus." I kept my voice steady, refusing to be intimidated. "The lease is signed."

Adam crossed the kitchen in three long strides, cutting off my path to the door. "You're not going anywhere."

"Adam," Isabella interjected smoothly, "perhaps we should—"

"I'm hungry," he announced, ignoring her completely. His eyes remained fixed on me, intense and unreadable. "Make lunch."

"Maria will be here soon," I pointed out. "She can—"

"I want to eat now."

The stubborn set of his jaw told me this wasn't an argument I was going to win. Not if I wanted to leave without a scene. Fine. One last meal, then I'm gone.

I moved to the refrigerator. "It'll take about thirty minutes."

"Perfect," Isabella chimed in. "That gives us time to catch up, Adam. Darling, I'm not feeling well. Would you mind taking me to see a doctor?"

"I have meetings all day," he cut her off, not even bothering to look in her direction.

The silence that followed was deafening. Isabella recovered quickly. "Another time, then."

I focused on preparing a simple pasta dish. From the kitchen, I could hear Isabella Kent's laughter, deliberately loud and musical.

A door slammed somewhere in the house. Through the kitchen window, I caught a glimpse of Isabella hurrying down the driveway to her car, her usual graceful composure slightly shaken.

"Lunch is ready," I announced finally, placing the plate before Adam. "I should go—"

"Wait." His hand shot out, catching my wrist. "Sit."

"Adam—"

"I need to talk to you," he said.

"First, this." He held out a manila envelope.

My fingers trembled slightly as I opened it. Another contract? Is this some kind of sick joke?

"This isn't..." I couldn't finish the sentence, my throat tight with disbelief.