CHAPTER 8: The Announcement
1075 Words
The words “I agree” seemed to hang in the air.
Richard slowly exhaled, while Edward lowered his gaze, guilt weighing heavily on his face. Margaret reached for Isabella’s hand.
Adrian said nothing.
He stood across the room, staring at Isabella. There was no happiness in her eyes, only exhaustion. She had once looked at him with trust because he was Ethan’s brother. Now, something guarded had replaced it.
Richard finally broke the silence.
“Then we need to move quickly.”
Adrian’s eyes snapped toward him.
“How quickly?”
Richard hesitated.
“Three days.”
Isabella’s eyes widened.
“Three days?”
“The longer we wait, the worse the situation becomes. The board needs certainty. So do the investors.”
Adrian gave a humorless laugh.
“Why do I feel like you’re enjoying this, Father? Three days to prepare a wedding while my brother is still missing?”
“No one is pretending this is normal,” Edward said quietly.
Adrian turned toward him.
“Then why does everyone keep acting like it is?”
Edward had no answer.
Eleanor sat silently, watching her son. Adrian was trying to hide his pain, but she could see him falling apart.
Margaret squeezed Isabella’s hand.
“Bella, you don’t have to decide everything tonight.”
“I already decided.”
“Are you sure?”
Isabella swallowed.
“No. But I’m doing it anyway.”
The honesty stunned everyone.
Adrian looked away. Somehow, hearing her say it made the weight on his chest heavier.
Richard cleared his throat.
“The ceremony will be private. The announcement will be made tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow?” Isabella asked.
“We can’t keep the press guessing.”
Adrian shook his head.
“Of course. Everything has to be about the company.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“Everything has to be about keeping both families standing.”
Adrian walked toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Richard asked.
“To find my brother.”
The door slammed behind him.
Isabella remained seated.
Margaret moved closer.
“Isabella…”
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“I don’t want you doing this because you feel trapped.”
Isabella looked down at her hands.
“I don’t know what else to do.”
“You could walk away.”
“And let everything collapse?”
“This isn’t your responsibility.”
“Maybe it shouldn’t be.”
She looked toward the closed door.
“But Ethan is still missing. I can’t just move on as if he doesn’t matter.”
Edward stepped closer.
“You’re not moving on. This marriage isn’t replacing Ethan. Nothing can.”
Isabella nodded slowly.
“I know.”
But knowing didn’t make it easier.
The next morning, the announcement was released.
Within minutes, the internet exploded.
ISABELLA HART TO MARRY ADRIAN KINGSLEY.
KINGSLEY HEIR TO WED MISSING BROTHER’S FIANCÉE.
FAMILY ALLIANCE OR DESPERATE BUSINESS MOVE?
Reporters gathered outside both estates. Social media filled with accusations.
Inside the Hart residence, Isabella stared at the television.
“Turn it off.”
Margaret immediately reached for the remote.
“This is going to be a nightmare,” Isabella whispered.
“It will pass.”
“I don’t think it will.”
Across the city, Adrian stood in his study as Marcus placed a folder on the desk.
“There’s something else.”
Adrian looked up.
“What?”
“We found another camera near the road where Ethan’s car was discovered.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
“You found footage?”
“Yes. It isn’t clear, but there was a second vehicle nearby.”
“When?”
“About twenty minutes before Ethan’s car was found.”
Adrian studied the photographs. A dark vehicle was partially visible, but there was no license plate.
“Can they identify it?”
“Not yet.”
“Then find someone who can.”
“We’re already working on it.”
Adrian stared at the photograph.
For the first time in days, a disturbing thought took shape.
Maybe Ethan hadn’t simply disappeared.
Maybe someone had wanted him to disappear.
That afternoon, wedding preparations began.
Isabella stood inside a bridal boutique while assistants moved around her with gowns and fabric samples.
Everything was beautiful.
Everything was expensive.
Everything felt wrong.
The designer held up a white gown.
“This one?”
Isabella barely looked at it.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Margaret frowned.
“It matters to me.”
“Why?”
“Because even if this isn’t the wedding you dreamed of, you deserve something beautiful.”
Isabella’s eyes softened.
“I just wanted Ethan to be there.”
Margaret had no answer.
Later that evening, Adrian returned to the estate. He found Isabella standing alone on the balcony.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Finally, Adrian stepped outside.
“Are you ready?”
“For what?”
“The wedding.”
“No.”
Adrian nodded.
“Neither am I.”
She studied him.
“You don’t have to sound angry every time you talk about it.”
“I’m not angry at you.”
“You look at me like I am.”
Adrian went silent.
“I know you didn’t choose this,” Isabella continued. “Neither did I.”
“I know.”
“Then stop treating me like I caused it.”
His jaw tightened.
“I never said you did.”
“You don’t have to.”
The words hit harder than he expected.
Adrian looked away.
“I lost my brother.”
“I lost my fiancé.”
He looked back at her.
For the first time, they stood facing each other without their families between them. Both carried the same loss. Both were trapped by the same decision.
“I don’t want this marriage to make us enemies,” Isabella said.
“I don’t know what it’s going to make us.”
“Then promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“We keep looking for Ethan.”
Adrian didn’t hesitate.
“I promise.”
“And if we find him?”
His expression changed.
“We’ll deal with that when we get there.”
Isabella nodded.
Neither noticed the figure beyond the balcony doors. It watched them for a moment before disappearing into the hallway.
The wedding was three days away.
And somewhere in the shadows, someone was watching.
Someone who knew exactly where Ethan Kingsley was.
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