The End of a Marriage (Colette and Matheo) novel Chapter 215

Chapter 215

Her thoughts stumbled over his words, his promises echoing in her

ears. “You would belong somewhere. You would belong to me.” For

one foolish, fleeting moment, her heart had roared with joy at the

idea. It had surged so violently in her chest that she feared it might

burst. She had dared to imagine a life with him–Graham Lancaster,

the man she had quietly adored since she was a lost little girl in need

of kindness and direction.

But the fantasy had shattered as quickly as it formed. She had looked

into his face, searching for the excitement, the joy that should

accompany such a monumental proposal. There was none. His

expression was cool, composed, entirely devoid of the happiness she

had foolishly hoped to see.

And then she remembered Vanessa.

The realization struck her like a thunderclap, sharp and painful. Why

was he doing this? She replayed his words in her mind, analyzing

every syllable with newfound clarity. He had talked about family,

about security, about keeping her at Thornfield Manor. But not once

-not even once–had he mentioned love.

Not even affection.

1/5

Chapter 215

No hint of care, no spark of attraction beyond the way his eyes had

lingered on her body. His reasons felt calculated, as though he had

identified her deepest vulnerabilities–her desperate longing to

belong, her ache for a family–and weaponized them against her.

Was this a proposal or a trap?

Isla’s chest tightened with a mix of heartbreak and anger. She blinked

rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She

didn’t want him to see her cry. He already had the upper hand; she

wouldn’t give him this, too.

And yet, she couldn’t help but wonder: Was she desperate enough to

accept this? Was she willing to become an unwanted bride for the sake of financial security and a roof over her head? To cling to

Thornfield Manor, the only home she had ever known, even if it

meant sacrificing her pride, her dreams, her dignity?

The answer was no.

No.

She would rather walk back to Ms. Anne’s bed–and–breakfast, grovel

for her old job, and scrub floors until her hands bled than tie herself

to a man who didn’t want her for who she was.

2/5

Chapter 215

Her tears began to spill despite her efforts, silent but relentless. She

wanted to weep, to sob until her chest felt hollow and her heart felt

lighter. But she couldn’t–not here, not now, not in front of him. She

needed to leave.

This time, when Isla rose to leave, Graham didn’t stop her. His hands

itched to reach out, to demand that she sit back down, but something

in her tear–streaked face held him back. He’d already made a mess of

things–bulldozing through her emotions like a man who didn’t know

better. Adding forcefulness to the equation wouldn’t help.

As the door closed softly behind her, he leaned back in his chair,

letting out a long, frustrated sigh. How had he botched this so

completely? He prided himself on his control, his ability to read

people, to handle delicate situations with finesse. But with Isla, he

was clumsy. His confidence faltered. His arrogance got the better of

him.

He ran a hand through his dark hair, feeling the weight of his thirty

years like never before. He wasn’t old–not by any stretch–but

compared to Isla? God, he felt ancient. She was nineteen, a girl who

still saw the world through the hopeful, romantic eyes of youth. She

wasn’t jaded like him, hardened by years of business deals and the

machinations of high society. She still believed in things like love and

fairy tales. And he had proposed to her as though he were negotiating

a merger.

3/5

Chapter 215

He groaned, shaking his head at his own idiocy. No wonder she had

looked at him like he was an alien.

Graham stood and paced the room, hands in his pockets as he

considered his next move. If he had any hope of winning her over, he

needed to change his approach. Isla wasn’t one of the polished,

sophisticated women he was used to. She didn’t care about power or

prestige, and she certainly wouldn’t be swayed by his wealth alone.

What would make her smile again? He thought back to the girl she

had been before life had dealt her so many cruel blows. Before her

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify