CHAPTER 26
“And sometimes a single gesture can bring us joy in the hardest of times…”
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
“I came to see if you needed anything.”
I’d finally gathered the courage to step into his workspace. Lately, I’d been ignoring quite a few of his rules—and honestly, one more wouldn’t make much of a difference.
At least, I hoped not.
“I’m fine.”
“Can I keep you company?”
I was fully expecting a no, especially after everything that had happened. But his answer came quick—and not at all the way I’d imagined.
“If that’s what you want, sure.”
“Seriously?!”
“Yes. Again,” he added dryly, laced with sarcasm.
“Would it kill you to just say yes again?” I tried not to laugh.
“I’m not answering that,” he muttered, turning his attention back to the massive desk in front of him.
I moved closer and glanced at what he was working on. It took me only a few seconds to recognize it—the project for James Sullivan’s mansion.
I stayed quiet for a while, just watching him sketch, studying his notes.
“Smart move putting the garden there,” I said after a moment. “But I think you’d get more space if the pool went here.” I pointed at the layout. “And what if you made the gate a bit smaller to use this space better?” I pointed again, and Colin looked at me like I’d just spoken a foreign language.
“Let me guess… that’s none of my business.”
Colin turned his chair toward me and crossed his arms. Great. Here came the lecture.
“How do you even know what my notes mean?”
That one caught me off guard.
“Well, I just… do.”
“You just do?”
“Yeah. I follow a few architects online, watch videos, that kind of thing. I remember details easily—line placement, design logic, explanations. I don’t have a degree or anything, but just by glancing at something, I can figure out a few things.”
He studied me for a moment, clearly surprised—maybe even a little impressed.
“How about you learn a bit more and help me with the project?”
I couldn’t help it—I laughed. The suggestion was so unexpected it sounded like a joke.
“Can I ask what’s so funny?” he said, his voice carrying that sharp edge of impatience.
“You don’t do that,” I said, heading for the door. “Not to someone who actually dreams of becoming an architect.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Oh, you do. What’s the logic in asking me to help design a mansion? A mansion,” I repeated for emphasis.
“I just want to see if you’ve got potential.”
“I don’t know anything technical,” I protested.
“You know what most college grads get wrong?” He stroked his beard.
“No. What?”
“They rely too much on technique—and not enough on instinct. I had a few colleagues like that. Know where they are now?”
“No. Where?”
“Driving Uber, working admin jobs, law offices, nutrition clinics, you name it,” he said.
“I’m not judging what they’re doing—it’s just proof that a degree doesn’t guarantee anything.
Putting too much faith in a diploma is a mistake.
Free advice: never trust a diploma. Technique alone won’t get you far—practice is the real teacher.
I’m living proof of that. So, let me ask again…
want to help and learn something new, or keep thinking I’m just messing with you—even though everyone knows I have no sense of humor? ”
“With that level of persistence, fine—I accept.” I sat down, smiling, excitement bubbling up inside me. “It’ll be good to learn from the best.”
“I’m not the best,” he said. “But I’m one of the few who worked my ass off—and got a little lucky, too.”
“I doubt that.”
I learned more in those two hours than I ever thought possible.
Believe it or not, Colin turned out to be a great teacher. Patient, even. That part genuinely shocked me.
“You’d make a good teacher, you know that?”
“If I already feel like dying sometimes, what do you think would happen if I were stuck in a classroom?” He crossed his arms.
“Oh, come on. The point is you know how to explain things. We’d have better architects if you taught. Just my humble opinion.”
“Looks like you really like me.”
“I do. I think I’m in love with you.”
No. No, no, no...
Idiot. I wasn’t supposed to say that. Not out loud.
“Say that again.” It didn’t sound like a request—it was an order.
“No.” I gave him an awkward smile.
“Say it again,” he repeated, louder this time, standing up and walking toward me. That scent...
“No,” I said again, and Colin pulled me out of the chair effortlessly, pressing me against the wall.
“If I have to ask a third time, things won’t end well.”
“Well, in my humble opinion, I’m in love with you,” I said, trying to smile but failing miserably. “Is that a problem?”
“All of them.”
Colin kissed me hard—roughly—the way I’d gotten used to.
But unlike the other times, the kiss started to slow down, almost coming to a halt. When I tried to reignite that spark, he suddenly turned away, frustrated with himself. I could tell.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked, even though deep down I knew I hadn’t.
“I’m sorry, I... I’m not okay.”
“Are you sure it’s not my fault?”
That’s when he cupped my face in both hands, kissed me again—long, deep, unhurried—and when he finally pulled back, his gaze locked on mine.
“No. Actually, it’s the opposite. You’re the reason I’m trying to get better. I just... have these moments sometimes. I’m sorry.”
It had been over a week since the incident at the cemetery.
Even though the mansion was a nice place to stay—beautiful, spacious, comfortable—I missed my home. My mom and I had worked our asses off to buy that place, and I knew exactly how much it had cost us to build it from the ground up.
Still, I couldn’t help noticing how happy she looked working for Colin. She didn’t have to run all over the city anymore, and now she worked in peace. I’d rarely seen her stressed these past few days.
“I told you Colin wasn’t such a bad boss,” I teased, winking at her. Truth was, I’d said the exact opposite when I first started working for him.
“I barely see him, but when I do, he’s always really nice to me.”
“Of course. Apparently, he only acts like a jerk with me. Maybe he’s scared of me or something.”
“Or maybe he likes you and that’s why he’s scared to be around you.”
I thought about that for a second. She could be right. I mean, I did tell him that all the time—mostly just to get under his skin.
“I don’t think so,” I said, coming back to reality.
I went back to work, getting most of it done by noon. I’d gotten used to the routine by now and didn’t have any trouble finishing things on time anymore. Even delegating tasks had become easier, since everyone was getting to know me better and becoming more cooperative.
“You’ve got an appointment today, Isabelle,” Colin said as he walked into the kitchen, where I was taking a short break.
His face looked tense—angry, even—but there was something different about it, like he was trying to hide whatever he was really feeling.
“What appointment?”
“You’ll find out when you get there.”
“And if I don’t want to go?”
I loved provoking Colin Adams. I was pretty sure I was the only person brave—or stupid—enough to do it.
“Then don’t,” he said calmly. “I’ll take your mom and Hanna instead.”
My brows shot up. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
“I don’t get it. Care to explain?”
“Why can’t you stop being so damn curious for one second and just do what I tell you without asking questions?” He sounded irritated.
“I don’t like being taken somewhere without knowing where I’m going.”
“Seriously?”
We stared at each other for a few seconds before bursting into laughter at the same time. What I’d said wasn’t true, and Colin knew it very well—especially after all our little adventures around the house.
“Fine,” I sighed, giving in. “I’ll go.”
Colin had given Tito the morning off, and he was the one driving this time—me, Hanna, and my mom—headed who knows where.
“You know what this means?” I whispered to my mom, who looked just as confused as I was about whatever Colin was plotting.
He kept driving for several more minutes, completely silent. Not a word. Was he... kidnapping us?
The thought made me laugh under my breath. I really needed to stop letting my imagination run wild.
Suddenly, the car came to a stop. Colin got out, opened our door, and motioned for us to do the same. Colin being a gentleman? Now that was a rare sight. But I didn’t comment.
The moment I stepped out and looked ahead, a jolt ran through me. I froze.
“Well... the view kind of speaks for itself,” he said.
“I lied when I told you your house was being investigated by the police this month. I just didn’t want you to suspect anything.
I’ve been renovating it. And I’m not the only one to blame—your mother was in on it.
She played her part perfectly, by the way. ”
The facade of my house looked unrecognizable—but not in a bad way. It was brand new, more beautiful than ever.
I took a few hesitant steps forward, taking it all in. Words failed me completely. I couldn’t even look at Colin. I just... froze.
“I’ll open it,” he said simply.
He unlocked the front door, and when I walked inside, the interior was completely transformed—different layout, new furniture, warm colors. Everything looked stunning. What on earth was happening?
“It took a bit of work,” he said, stepping in behind me, “but your new home has my signature on it. I did all of this. Most of my little disappearances lately? They were to come here and figure out a few things. I didn’t have to tear anything down—just rearranged the layout, redecorated.
Not really my kind of work, but... I knew it would be worth it. I thought you’d like it.”
When he finished, I turned toward him—and the tears came before I could stop them. The gesture was just... too much.
“No, no, no crying,” he muttered, looking away. But I could tell even he was a little shaken seeing me that emotional.
“I... I don’t even know what to say, how to thank you...” I sobbed.