Page 173 of Beautiful Lies

The screen shifts to a photo of Mom and me at the restaurant.

“The Monroe family could not be reached for comment,” the reporter remarks. “It’s interesting that Isla Monroe married Knox Vale only a handful of months ago and this has happened.”

Interesting…

People aren’t stupid. Many will put two and two together and come up with the answer.

Buyers have been after the restaurant for years. Granted, they wanted to keep it as a restaurant and would never dream of demolishing the place. Still, people will figure out that my marriage to Knox would have had something to do with this.

I sink onto the sofa because my legs won’t steady beneath me.

It feels surreal, watching my family’s history narrated like a tragedy in a documentary. And seeing strangers mourn something that’s still mine.

Mine, at least for now.

I turn off the TV and shut my eyes, tuning out everything and everyone.

“Isla?” My mother’s voice reaches me.

The chaos in my mind was so loud I never even heard her come in. The moment I look at her, I see it—the shock, the grief, the disappointment.

“Oh, sweetheart…” She comes to sit beside me, placing a hand on my back. “Are you okay?”

I lean into her, but she feels… weaker than usual. For a moment, her hand trembles on my shoulder, and something cold curls in my stomach.

“Mom. Are you okay?”

“No. Not at all.” She shakes her head.

“I’m right there with you. I feel like hell.”

“I know, sweetie. I know.” She holds my gaze. In her eyes, I can see her falling apart. “I know you already spoke to Knox, but I contacted William on the way. Just for some extra advice. He said there’s nothing we can do. We agreed to the new contract. Knox’s contract.”

“We? Mom. Notwe, me.Idid this, and I’m not even sure how I could have been more careful.”

She pulls me closer, giving me a reassuring squeeze. “Please don’t blame yourself. This isn’t anyone’s fault. And…” She pulls away and looks at me. “I think you need to put things in perspective where Knox is concerned. I genuinely believe he never meant to hurt you.”

I wince. “I know, but…he could have told me, Mom. He could have been upfront with me.”

“Maybe he thought you wouldn’t like him as much. Either way, I’m sure you would have been just as hurt.” She gives my arm another squeeze. “Let’s face it, yes, he should have told you his plans, but what’s upsetting you is the fact that he’s going to knock down the restaurant.”

I nod slowly. “And worse than that is the fact that Knox has so much power. I can’t imagine that there’snothinghe can do.”

When he said he couldn’t back out of the plan, hope died inside me. Not just hope that that he might change his mind.All hope.

Mom sighs. “I agree. But I guess there are some things from his world we just don’t understand.”

“I don’t think it’s as simple as that.” The fury that stirred in me earlier churns my stomach once more. “I think he could change his mind if he wanted to. But this real estate venture makes him look good in front of the people who matter.”

She bites the inside of her lip. I can tell from her hesitant expression that she knows I’m right. “The problem is… this started with your father. He should have never betrayed the Vales the way he did and set Knox up. We don’t have a leg to stand on because of him.”

I look away to gaze out the window.

My phone vibrates inside my bag. Thinking it’s Mia, I retrieve it.

My heart lurches when I see Knox’s name flashing on the screen. But all I do is stare at it. Usually, I’d answer his calls after the first ring.

I was expecting the call, but I think it’s best we don’t speak. Not while I feel like shit.