Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 75

He really had Brian to thank—otherwise, he might have stayed perpetually single.

Should I reply? How should I reply? Use his full name? Just Damian? Or Dami...

Isabelle felt a small shiver run through her. She didn't dare send a single word back.

*****

At noon, when everyone headed out for lunch, Isabelle seized the moment.

Using her badge access, she went up to the 30th floor.

"Get it together; it's fine..." she whispered to herself, taking a steadying breath before walking toward the CEO's office.

"Knock, knock—"

"Come in."

Why was she this nervous?

He wasn't a monster—he was her husband.

So what was there to be afraid of?

Who knew what ideas Brian had put in his head this time.

He was sitting on the sofa, wearing the white shirt Isabelle had made for him.

No tie, his suit jacket tossed aside—he looked like he hadn't slept all night.

"Damian."

"Mm."

He lifted his gaze, and his eyes softened slightly when they landed on her.

He motioned for her to come closer. "Over here."

Isabelle walked over, intending to sit beside him.

But before she could, he reeled her in by the waist and settled her onto his lap.

Startled, Isabelle gripped his shoulder for balance.

Before she could process it, Damian had already wrapped his arms around her. "Don't move. I just want to hold you for a minute."

Isabelle went still, not daring to budge.

His large hand rested firmly against the small of her back, the warmth seeping through her sweater.

The heat in the CEO's office was turned up high—she could feel herself growing flushed almost instantly.

He'd been swamped lately. Brian said it was to clear his schedule to spend the holidays with her.

On top of that, with the financial review and the designer search, he must have had a lot on his mind.

He had to be exhausted.

Isabelle swallowed. His quiet breathing whispered near her ear.

Their cheeks brushed lightly, sending her heart into a frantic rhythm.

"Is something wrong?" she asked cautiously, lifting a hand to pat his back gently, as if soothing a child.

"No," Damian replied.

"Then why..."

"I've missed you," he said simply.

What kind of straightforward confession was that?

They stayed like that for a long while—really just holding each other, nothing more.

Isabelle hardly dared to breathe.

Then, a knock came at the office door.

Isabelle tried to get up, but he held her tighter.

"Come in." His voice came out low and husky.

Then it dawned on her.

If their relationship became public knowledge, office life would become complicated.

Any future promotion would be seen as favoritism.

But without a solid reason to refuse, that woman would likely keep pushing.

"So what do you want to do?" Isabelle asked.

Since Damian had brought it up, he probably already had a plan. "Come with me tonight."

"Okay, sure." Isabelle agreed without hesitation.

After all, it felt like she hadn't really done much for him since they'd married.

Damian looked momentarily surprised—he'd expected her to refuse a public appearance like this. "You can try on the dress later, then."

Isabelle paused. At the mention of a dress, her appetite faded—what if it didn't fit?

She'd never been fond of galas anyway.

Most of these events were all about agendas—networking, social climbing.

Neither of those things appealed to her.

She'd been to a handful of similar events before.

Both times with Gary.

His circle was full of wealthy heirs and established socialites.

Someone like Isabelle—they made her feel she should be grateful just to be allowed in.

Trying to mingle or make connections would have only made her the subject of quiet ridicule.

She wondered if going with Damian tonight would be the same...

He even had the dress ready in his private suite upstairs.