Isabella followed Samuel into the gala, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor. All eyes turned—whispers, gasps, raised brows. Tonight, she wasn't the ex-wife in tatters. She was reborn, draped in midnight silk, diamonds glittering at her throat like cold fire.
Samuel leaned down, whispering at her ear,"Your ex-husband is here."
She didn't flinch. "Perfect."
Across the ballroom, Leonard froze mid-toast. His eyes locked with hers, disbelief morphing into something uglier—panic, maybe even… regret.
"Go say hello," Samuel said. "Make it sting."
Isabella's smile was all venom and elegance. She crossed the room with measured grace and stopped in front of Leonard and his new bride.
"Leonard," she said sweetly. "Didn't expect to see you out tonight. Isn't it your honeymoon?"
The new bride's expression tightened. Leonard looked like he'd swallowed glass.
"I see your taste hasn't improved," Isabella added, gaze flicking over the woman's gaudy gown.
Samuel joined her, placing a possessive hand at the small of her back. "Shall we dance, darling?"
She didn't answer—just let him lead her away while the room burned with curiosity.
The war had officially begun. And Isabella was done playing nice.