Chapter 724

Henry Lancaster pounded on the door. "Isabella, it's me. Open up. We need to talk."

Isabella remained seated on the bed, deliberately ignoring him.

"I know you're inside. Open this door right now! I'll count to three—if you don't, I'm breaking it down!"

The maid hovering nearby gasped. "Mr. Lancaster, you can't just break the door! Let's handle this calmly!"

Henry ignored her, his voice sharp. "One... two..."

Isabella finally stood and yanked the door open.

Before her stood Henry, tall and imposing, his dark coat thrown over a black silk pajama top. His navy slippers were mismatched, as if he'd rushed out in a hurry. His face was lined with exhaustion.

She glared at him. "What do you want? You're not welcome here. Go back to Eleanor."

Henry's jaw tightened. "Listen to me. Nothing happened between us—"

"How many times will you say that? If nothing happened, then what was I supposed to think when I walked in on you two? You were in bed together! Don't lie to me now. If you cheated, just admit it. Don’t make me despise you even more."

She moved to slam the door shut.

But Henry wedged his hand against it, forcing it to stay open.

"Let go!"

Isabella shoved with all her strength, but he didn’t budge. His grip was unyielding, his expression dark.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Henry scoffed. "You're right. I should be honest. If I had done something, I wouldn’t deny it. But I swear, nothing happened."

Isabella opened her mouth to retort—

But Henry cut her off. "Are you really this blind? I chased after you. If I had been with Eleanor, do you think I’d be here this fast?"

Suddenly, her gaze raked over him from head to toe. "Are you losing your touch?"

Henry’s eyes narrowed. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"You and Eleanor already finished? Hah. Guess age is catching up to you."

Henry exhaled sharply, then shoved the door open fully. In one swift motion, he scooped her up into his arms.

Isabella stiffened, thrashing against him. "Put me down! What are you doing?"

He carried her to the bed in three long strides and tossed her onto the mattress.

She scrambled to escape, but Henry caught her ankle and dragged her back effortlessly.

Kneeling beside her, he pinned her wrists down, his gaze burning into hers. "Still doubting me?"

Isabella’s breath hitched at the dangerous glint in his eyes. "I don’t know..."

"Then I’ll make sure you do."

He leaned down and captured her lips.

Isabella’s eyes widened. She twisted beneath him, shoving at his chest. "Get off me! You’re disgusting! You were just with Eleanor, and now you’re here? I don’t want whatever you picked up from her!"

Henry tightened his grip on her wrists. "I’ll say it one last time—nothing happened with Eleanor. You’re the only one I want."