Chapter Isabelle Campbell
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
I daydreamed about Colin.
It’s wrong—I know it is. Thinking this much about a man who’s clearly unavailable never ends well.
Maybe that’s not even the right way to say it. Colin’s single, sure, but deep down I know he’s not the kind of man who’d ever let anyone invade what little space he keeps for himself.
I’ll admit, waking up in his bed startled me. I was mortified—I couldn’t even remember when I’d fallen asleep. Not wanting to test his patience, I slipped out of his room as quietly as I could.
Now I’m working, and I haven’t seen Colin all morning—or even early afternoon.
I’ve gotten used to his absence, to the way he isolates himself from everyone in the house.
As I walked toward one of the rooms, I saw him coming from the opposite direction.
My heart started pounding—don’t ask me why. I felt like some lovesick teenager, which is ridiculous for a woman like me.
“Do you need anything?” I asked, smiling as we crossed paths.
I must’ve looked like an idiot. Yeah, I know.
“Something that doesn’t involve you asking me questions every five seconds. Think you can manage that, or am I overestimating your intelligence?”
Of course. I’m a fool for thinking he’d be civil after last night.
You deserve it, Isabelle. Your naivety is astonishing. That was my brain, putting me back in my place.
“I just asked—”
“Don’t ask! What’s your problem with questions?”
“Why do you treat me like this? What did I ever do to you?” I snapped.
“You’re annoying, Isabelle. That’s what.”
No... no one could possibly be this cold and bitter. This was beyond normal.
“And you’re an—asshole!”
Oops.
I saw it instantly—the way his eyes narrowed, the predatory look of a man ready to strike.
“What did you just say? I don’t think I heard you right.” He took a step closer, stopping inches from me. But if he thought I was about to back down, he was sorely mistaken. I was more than capable of standing up to any man.
“I’m not sure if you have hearing problems, so I’ll repeat it—slowly this time.
” I took a deep breath. “You’re an as–sho–le.
” I pronounced each syllable clearly. “Did you catch that, or do I need to write it down for you? Maybe draw a little picture?” I added, mocking him the same way he’d done to me more than once.
Colin’s expression said it all—he couldn’t believe I’d just said that. If he’d looked angry before, I didn’t even have a word for what I saw now.
For the first time, I felt afraid.
“Seems like you don’t value your job. Are you asking to be fired?” he said, voice low but dangerous.
For a split second, I almost apologized. But you know what? Screw that. I wasn’t going to let him treat me like garbage.
“If you want to fire me, then do it! Right now!” I shouted. “I don’t have to stay here just because the paycheck’s good! I’m not your punching bag!”
“Watch your mouth, Isabelle…”
“Wait! If you’re gonna fire me, you’re gonna listen first.” I took a breath, trying to steady my voice.
“You should spend more time with your son instead of taking your anger out on everyone around you! Believe it or not, people are trying to help you. No one’s obligated to deal with your constant bad mood.
You’re selfish, and honestly, I doubt you love anyone—or even yourself.
Why don’t you take all that rage and turn it into love, give it to your kid, huh?
Is that so hard? Because if your goal is to die alone, congratulations—you’re right on track.
You’re turning into one of those miserable bastards I’ve seen too many times in my life.
And you know what? They all end the same way: either alone or, by some miracle, they pull themselves together—which, in your case, seems pretty damn impossible. ”
I don’t remember the last time I’d spoken with that much fury. I was shaking, possessed by something I couldn’t name.
Colin just stared at me, and the look on his face—shock, disbelief—was unlike anything I’d ever seen from him. And though I’d said it all in one breath, regret hit me the second I stopped talking. He could fire me for that.
Not that it would make much difference...
“I’m gonna let that slide,” he said finally, his expression smoothing back to calm, as if nothing had happened.
“Excuse me?”
He couldn’t be serious.
“You heard me. I’ll let it go—must be your time of the month,” he said casually, as if we were discussing the weather.
“Woooow! The mighty Colin actually knows when a woman’s on her period? Now that’s shocking!” I snapped, still fuming.
See? I’m a walking contradiction. I’d just told myself I regretted what I said—and here I was, mocking him again.
“Yes,” he said evenly. “My wife used to get unbearable during those days. Just like you are now.” He smiled, and damn it, that smile… it was beautiful, but it carried something heavy—sad, almost broken. “And yes, I deserved every word you threw at me.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. You’re not going to fire me?”
“You say that word so much, it’s starting to sound like you want me to.”
“No,” I shot back quickly. “I’m just saying I insulted you. And I’m still mad at you. Very mad.”
“It’ll pass.”
“It won’t!” I snapped again.
“There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not going to change who I am.”
“And I’m not changing either!”
I was getting pretty good at arguing with him.
“Then stay that way. I don’t mind,” he said, already turning to leave. “You might not believe it, but I like your honesty.”
He disappeared down the hall before I could even react.
What the hell just happened here? Why is that man such a damn paradox?