Luke’s expression darkened slightly, the brightness in his eyes dimming noticeably. They both knew what Mrs. Miller giving Isabella the white jade bracelet meant-it wasn’t just a simple gift; it was akin to an engagement token.
Returning the bracelet would equate to rejecting the proposal.
Luke unconsciously tightened his grip, trying to sound calm as he asked, “You don’t like the bracelet?”
“It’s too valuable, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to accept,” she replied.
“What do you find inappropriate about it?” He raised his gaze, looking directly into her eyes, a question veiled in double meaning.
Isabella paused slightly, not expecting Luke to be so persistent.
She had been speaking delicately, not wanting to hurt each other’s feelings. However, with Luke pressing, she had no choice but to be frank.
“I’m not the right match for you,” she said with a slight sigh in her tone.
“I don’t feel that way,” Luke replied, his gaze upon Isabella holding a hint of fervor.
Luke was born into privilege and wealth, surrounded by numerous girls vying for his attention throughout his life. Later, he ventured into the entertainment industry, encountering all sorts of beautiful women.
But Isabella was different. Her smile was always radiant, yet her eyes held a hint of sorrow. She lacked the affectations of female stars in the entertainment industry, presenting herself and treating others with genuine sincerity.
Isabella wasn’t a delicately nurtured flower; she was more like a sunflower thriving under sunlight, vibrant and full of life.
Just being near her made Luke feel more alive than ever. He had never felt this impulsive before, the urge to make her his wife.
However, Isabella didn’t share the same enthusiasm for marriage; she was overly rational.
She was well aware that Luke was a great man and a suitable marriage partner, but there was no future for them.
Neither he nor his family would accept her past.
“Beyond our backgrounds, Luke, how much do you really know about me?” she spoke softly.
Luke hesitated for a moment. Indeed, his knowledge of Isabella was limited to her being the daughter of Deputy Mayor David and her profession as an actress.
“We have time to get to know each other,” Luke answered, his own parents having had a politically arranged marriage, barely knowing each other before, yet leading a happy life now.
But Isabella shook her head lightly. Some things could be learned over time, but others couldn’t. If these revelations were made after marriage, it would seem deceitful.
“I’m not who you think I am. I’m not just an innocent girl; I have a child who’s almost two years old,” she said calmly, devoid of emotion, as if narrating someone else’s story.
Luke was speechless with shock. After a moment, he regained control and exclaimed, “How is that possible?”
She smiled faintly, a mix of irony and bitterness in her expression.
“My parents divorced early on, Charlotte is my stepmother, and I have two half-sisters. To me, the Harris family is an unfathomable whirlpool filled with manipulation and scheming. Two years ago, I was naive and got manipulated by them, resulting in the birth of my child.
It might sound unbelievable, but many people know about it. If you just inquire a bit, you’ll know if what I’m saying is true.
Luke, what you need is a woman who matches your status and beauty, with a clean background. You don’t need to get involved in the mess of the Harris family, and I don’t want to drag you into it.”
The Miller family wasn’t originally residents of Ithaca town; they moved here as Logan took up the position of Deputy Mayor for City Planning in Ithaca town. Otherwise, there would have been some rumors about her past deeds, especially considering what happened to her, courtesy of Charlotte, which had become somewhat known in their circle.
Isabella had said all she needed to, whether it was appropriate or not, she had made it clear to Luke. He was a smart man and knew what would be best for both of them.
Being open and forthright, Isabella wasn’t worried about Luke spreading the word. She still trusted his character.
Luke fell into a prolonged silence, still reeling from the shock.
Isabella, just in her early twenties, a girl who seemed as innocent and pure as a flower, he couldn’t connect her to the mother of a two-year-old child.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward as he remained silent.
She didn’t want to dwell on the previous topic but felt it necessary to remind him of a few things.
“The Miller family and the Harris family were originally unrelated. It was Caleb who wanted to bring our families together,” she broke the silence once again.
Upon hearing this, Luke looked up at her, his gaze turning slightly cold. Though he was entirely focused on his career in entertainment and rarely delved into family matters, it didn’t mean he was oblivious.
Currently, his father held the position of Deputy Mayor for City Planning, a target for the Mitchell family’s attempts at alliance. Caleb’s eagerness to unite their families clearly indicated a desire to benefit from the Harris family through them.
Luke never really liked Caleb, and now his disdain for him deepened.
“Logan has only recently taken up the position, much remains unclear. Caleb is always looking for his own advantage. Evelyn was once his fiancee; he gained a lot from the Lewis family. After Mr. Theodore’s incident, he was cast aside. The fate of their family should serve as a warning,” Isabella kindly cautioned.
Luke nodded, sincerely grateful for her well-intentioned advice.
“My father is a man of principles, even if we were to marry and become kin to the Mitchell family, he wouldn’t compromise his principles for Caleb. Moreover…”
Moreover, they were destined to be strangers.
Isabella escorted Luke to the door as he left. Before departing, he cast a deep glance at her, an expression filled with too many emotions-profound regret, restrained pain, like an eternity in a single look.
Even Isabella couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness, pondering how much better it would have been to meet him before she turned eighteen. At least Luke was much more reliable than James.
However, this sadness was fleeting. She already had Asher and Andrew. As she had said today, taking care of them was quite good, and she genuinely felt that way. They provided her heart a haven, allowing her to experience stability and happiness.
The next day, with a wounded leg, Isabella struggled during the shoot, unable to run or jump well, feeling quite frustrated.
Luke continued to show concern for her as usual. However, during the shoot, it was evident that his mind wasn’t entirely there. The several game setups by the production team resulted in continuous losses from start to finish, deserving an award for best participation.
After the shoot, Isabella returned to Ithaca town with Olivia. This time, Luke didn’t travel on the same flight as them, and their marriage plans ended without any further progress.