Between Desire and Love

Chapter 23: Engagement party

The morning sun streamed through the windows as Isabella quietly dressed, her mind a whirl of emotions. The previous night with Robert had left her feeling raw and conflicted. As she prepared to face Lucas, she couldn't shake the weight of the choices she had made.

Stepping out of study room, she found Lucas waiting for her in the kitchen, his face lighting up as soon as he saw her. "Good morning, Isa," he greeted her warmly, stepping forward to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "where were you last night?"

"Good morning, Lucas," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I was at Lilly's home" she lied.

Lucas took her hands in his, his eyes searching hers earnestly. "Isabella, I need to explain myself," he began, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know things have been complicated between us, and I haven't always made it easy. But my feelings for you are real. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Isabella's heart ached at his words, the sincerity in his eyes cutting through her like a knife. She hesitated, her mind racing with the implications of his proposal. But she couldn't bring herself to break his heart.

"Lucas, I..." she began, her voice faltering. "I care about you too. I... I accept your proposal."

Lucas's face broke into a wide, joyous grin. He pulled her into a tight embrace, lifting her off the ground as he spun her around. "Isabella, you've made me the happiest man alive!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with elation. "I can't wait to start planning our future together."

Isabella forced a smile, trying to match his enthusiasm. "I'm happy too, Lucas," she said, her voice sounding hollow to her own ears.

"We need to celebrate," Lucas said excitedly, already pulling out his phone to call his friends. "I'm going to throw a party tonight. And I want to tell everyone, including my father, about our engagement."

Isabella's stomach churned at the thought, but she nodded, maintaining her facade. "That sounds wonderful," she replied, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

As the day went on, Lucas was a whirlwind of activity, planning the party and calling friends to share the good news. Isabella watched him, her heart heavy with the knowledge that her happiness was a lie. She felt trapped between the man who loved her and the man she couldn't resist.

That evening, the mansion was filled with the sound of laughter and celebration. Guests mingled, toasting to the future and congratulating Lucas on his engagement. Isabella moved through the crowd, her smile fixed in place, accepting well-wishes and trying to ignore the gnawing guilt inside her.

As the night wore on, Lucas finally gathered everyone together, raising a glass to make his announcement. "Everyone, thank you for coming tonight," he began, his voice filled with pride and excitement. "I have some wonderful news to share. Isabella and I are engaged!"

Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd, and Lucas turned to Isabella, pulling her close for a kiss. She smiled, feeling the weight of her deceit bearing down on her.

In the back of the room, Robert watched them with a stormy expression, his eyes dark with unspoken emotions. Isabella met his gaze, her heart aching with the knowledge that she had betrayed them both.

The party was in full swing, laughter and chatter filling the air as guests mingled and celebrated. Isabella moved through the crowd, her engagement ring glittering under the soft lights. Despite the joy around her, she couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at her.

As she approached the refreshment table, she found herself face to face with Dr. Janet. The older woman's eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the sight of the ring on Isabella's finger. "Congratulations, Isabella," Dr. Janet said, her voice polite but cool. "I hear you and Lucas are engaged."