Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 281

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Chapter 281 Longing After His Departure

Chapter 281 Longing After His Departure

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It felt as though the two of them were trapped in an elevator the air thick, the need argent, craving release, longing to be pulled from that drowning, breathless space.

“Damian…”

“Hmm, I’m right here…”

By the time Damian was ready to leave, Isabelle had fallen into an exhausted sleep on the bed.

Reluctantly, he kissed the sleeping woman.

Having her in his life, in his bed, felt like a rare gift–a blessing he never took for granted. After such intensity, how could he possibly wake her in the middle of the night just to see him off at the airport?

She’d likely end up in tears by the time they got there.

Isabelle truly regretted it later–how could she have fallen asleep? She should have driven Damian to the airport herself.

But Damian had refused to let her get up, insisting she stay asleep before he finally slipped out.

Perhaps his gentle, comforting movements had lulled her; she had actually drifted off in his arms.

So much so that when Damian finally left, she was completely unaware.

The bedroom door closed with a soft, final click.

Isabelle quietly opened her eyes—she hadn’t been asleep at all. On the contrary, she felt no drowsiness whatsoever.

How could she possibly sleep?

She got up, slid her feet into her slippers, and hurried downstairs.

Damian stood by the idling car while James loaded the last of the luggage into the trunk.

Hearing the quick, light patter of slippers approaching from behind, he turned just in time for a slender figure to crash into his

arms.

She was still in her silk pajamas, her bare legs exposed to the cool night air.

James discreetly got into the driver’s seat.

Damian wrapped his arms tightly around her, feeling the damp warmth of her tears seep through his shirt.

“Why did you run down like this?” he frowned, having been certain she was deep asleep earlier.

Isabelle didn’t speak, simply held onto him in silence.

She didn’t understand why she was being so emotional–Damian would be back in a month–yet she couldn’t bear to see him go.

It wasn’t just a month; even the thought of a week, a single day apart left her feeling unsettled and hollow.

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Chapter 281 Longing Affer His Departure

Knowing she couldn’t delay him, she reluctantly stepped out of his embrace

Seeing her like this twisted something deep in Damian’s chest.

He cupped her face, leaned down, and kissed her a slow, tender promise.

“Wait for me at home, alright?”

“Mm,” was all she could manage, her voice thick.

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She turned and headed back toward the villa’s grand entrance, not daring to look back–afraid that one more glance would bring a fresh wave of tears in front of him.

Damian didn’t linger either. Once he saw her safely inside, he got into the car.

Damian set off overseas with Dylan, two executive assistants, and the legal counsel for the group.

*****

Isabelle woke up earlier than usual.

Susie, who had just arrived to prepare breakfast, spotted her and apologized, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Cross, breakfast isn’t quite ready yet.”

Isabelle, dressed in soft loungewear, stood in the kitchen island’s light, sipping water from a glass.

“It’s fine. I’m just up early occasionally.”

“Should I prepare it earlier tomorrow?” Susie asked kindly.

Isabelle paused, then shook her head. “No need. Just keep it warming once it’s done.”

Susie nodded, though she privately resolved to start a little earlier the next day. Isabelle was gracious and hadn’t complained, but with Damian away, she must be feeling the loneliness–restless sleep was only natural.

She made a mental note to prepare a special, comforting menu tomorrow.

Isabelle left the kitchen, changed into her workout gear, and headed to the home gym for her morning yoga.

With Damian gone, sleeping alone felt strange. She’d struggled to fall asleep, woken early, and found the space beside her cold and empty. No one had placed a glass of water on the nightstand for her this morning–it was as if a small, essential piece of her routine had been pulled away.

Passing by the treadmill, she remembered Damian rising at dawn every day to run for half an hour–shirtless, wearing only his athletic shorts, muscles working as he ran, skin gleaming with sweat. The memory instantly stirred a restless, aching warmth within her.

He’d been gone less than ten hours, and she already missed him terribly.

Settling on the yoga mat, she went through her warm–up stretches and slowly began her flow.

Not even half an hour in, her phone vibrated. It was Diana.

Isabelle put it on speaker, continuing her movements without breaking rhythm.

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10:59 am

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Chapter 281 Longing After His Departure

Speak,” Isabelle said, focusing on her breath.

Diana hesitated for a few seconds on the other end=“Is Mr. Cross still home?”

Isabelle wondered why she’d ask that. “No, he left late last night. Why?”

“Who are you with right now?”

“Do I have to be with a man?”

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“No, it’s just… your voice sounds a bit breathy. I thought Mr. Cross might still be there,” Diana said, a hint of teasing in her tone.

Isabel e couldn’t help a soft chuckle, gradually coming to a stop in her pose. “Diana, I never realized your imagination was so…. active?”

“Are you coming out today? Or should I come to you? There’s something I wanted to talk about.”

“I’ll go out.”

Isabelle hung up.

She didn’t want to stay in the house any longer. There was a mountain of work waiting at the design studio, and with Damian away, the vast, quiet villa felt even colder, its silence more pronounced.

Being alone at night, with the lights off, made her feel like shadows were lurking in every corner.

After a light breakfast, she drove to the studio.

Diana was already there, meticulously cutting fabric on the large worktable.

The studio space on the second floor of the renovated carriage/house had been fully restored. The settlement from Sophia had been substantial.

It wasn’t just for the physical repairs–they had also compensated for the destroyed original artworks, lost materials, and all costs associated with the delayed projects.

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