The End of a Marriage (Colette and Matheo) novel Chapter 225

Chapter 225

CHAPTER20

She hadn’t even thought about it. The moment his grip loosened and

his lips stopped moving, she scrambled to her feet. He was still dazed,

his expression almost dreamlike as he tried to process what had just

happened. She seized the opportunity, bolting from his lap as if her

life depended on it.

Her heart had been pounding so loudly she could barely hear

anything else, but she caught the sound of her name–his voice low,

hoarse, and full of frustration as it carried after her.

“Isla.”

The way he had said it, with such raw hunger and impatience, sent a

shiver racing down her spine. But she didn’t stop. She didn’t dare.

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Her face was flaming, every nerve in her body still alive and buzzing

from his touch. She had barely made it to the door when Maggie–of

all people–appeared, holding a tray of dessert. Isla nearly collided

with her, stumbling in her rush to escape.

Maggie had paused, blinking in confusion as Isla mumbled a hurried

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Chapter 225

apology and slipped past her. She could only imagine what Maggie

must have thought, seeing her with her face as red as a beetroot, her

breath coming in uneven gasps. Isla couldn’t bear to look back,

couldn’t bring herself to explain.

Instead, she had fled to her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind

her and locking it for good measure. She threw herself onto the bed,

burrowed beneath the covers, and stayed there, hiding from the

world.

The most shameful part of it all? It wasn’t just the memory of his

kiss, or the way her body had melted under his touch. It was the fact

that, even now, with no one there but her, she still felt that same

heat. That same inexplicable need.

A few minutes later, the silence in her room was broken by the sound

of heavy, deliberate footsteps heading toward her door. Isla’s heart

leapt into her throat, her body freezing beneath the blankets. She

huddled deeper, clutching the fabric like it could somehow shield her

from the inevitable.

His room–the master bedroom–was on the opposite side of the

house. He had no reason to be here. No reason, except her.

He was coming for her.

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Chapter 225

Her breath hitched as the footsteps stopped just outside her door.

The knock that followed was firm but unhurried, the kind that left no

doubt who was on the other side.

“Isla.”

Her name rolled off his tongue slowly, deliberately, his voice low and

muted through the door. It sent a shiver racing down her spine. She

squeezed her eyes shut, willing him to leave, willing herself to

disappear.

“Open the door, darling. We need to talk.”

The word darling made her chest tighten, both soothing and unsettling in equal measure. She bit her lip, her pulse roaring in her

ears. But she didn’t move, didn’t reply.

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When the silence stretched between them, he spoke again, his voice

softer now.

the

“Things got out of hand a little there,” he admitted after a pause, words tinged with something she couldn’t quite place. Regret? Frustration? Guilt? “I didn’t mean for it to happen like that. I didn’t

mean to hurt you.”

Her breath caught at his words. Hurt her? He thought he’d hurt her?

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Chapter 225

Another pause. She thought she heard him sigh, the sound heavy and

resigned.

“But I realize I scared you,” he said, quieter now, as though he were

speaking more to himself than to her.

And then, just like that, his presence faded. She heard the sound of his footsteps retreating, growing softer until the house swallowed

them completely.

Isla remained motionless under the blankets, her body rigid as her

mind replayed his words.

Scared her?

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