Chapter Isabelle Campbell
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
I really wanted Colin to open up to me, especially after getting access to so much information about him.
I wasn’t sure how much of it was true. Jefrey told me it was practically certain that everything he’d found was accurate, and that’s exactly what scared me. Colin wasn’t a bad man, but knowing what he did to a certain person…
“Why couldn’t I keep playing with Uncle Colin?” my daughter asked, sulking beside me, glaring like I’d just ruined her favorite moment.
“He needs to work.”
Hanna needed to understand that we were in someone else’s house, but apparently, she chose to ignore that “simple” fact with impressive skill.
“But I think he likes playing with me more,” she argued.
Nice try.
“Life isn’t all about playing, sweetheart. Grown-ups have to work—otherwise, they starve.”
That obviously wasn’t Colin’s case. He’d already made his name and could probably retire if he wanted to. I had a feeling that comment was meant more as a dig at me.
“I just wanna play,” she pouted.
“Good luck with that.”
Hanna went quiet for a few seconds. I thought she was about to change the subject, but then she spoke again.
“I wish Uncle Colin was my dad.”
My eyes widened at her words. I knew they’d become close friends, but hearing that out loud… that crossed a line.
And then, to make matters worse, I froze when I noticed Colin leaning against the counter in the kitchen.
“You heard what Hanna just said?” I asked quickly, a hint of panic in my voice.
He looked at me for a few seconds before replying, “No. I just heard my name.”
“Can I play in the backyard?” Hanna asked.
“Sure.”
Colin beat me to it, answering her right away.
She bolted toward the yard, leaving me standing there, still staring into his dark eyes, wondering if he’d really missed what she said.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing. I thought you’d heard something.”
Colin’s expression didn’t change.
“Do you need something?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“No. I just came to grab something to eat. I won’t interrupt your work.”
He walked over to the fruit basket, picked up a banana and an apple, then left without another word, disappearing from sight.