Chapter 217
CHAPTER17
As the car rolled up to the grand gates of Thornfield Manor, Isla
barely had time to step out before Maggie stormed toward her, the
older woman’s face a mixture of anger and heartbreak. The gates
stood flung wide open, and Maggie’s tear–streaked cheeks glistened
under the pale winter sunlight as she hurried across the gravel
driveway.
“You called me your mother–like figure for half your life,” Maggie
cried, her voice cracking with emotion, “and then left me here
without so much as a word!” Her arger melted into grief as she pulled
Isla into a fierce embrace. “I can’t believe you just disappeared like
that. I thought you were dead, Isla!” she wept, clutching the girl as if
she might vanish again. “I prayed every night for the Lord to bring you home. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again, if you were even
alive!”
Isla stood stiffly in Maggie’s arms, her face flushed with embarrassment, unsure how to respond to the older woman’s heartfelt outburst. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
“Maggie,” Graham interjected, stepping forward with a calm but firm tone, “let her breathe. Isla’s been through enough already. She needs
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to eat something and rest this afternoon. You can give her an earful
later.”
Maggie turned her tear–streaked face toward him, her arms still
wrapped protectively around Isla. “You mean she’s not going to run
off again if I take my eyes off her?” she demanded, her voice tinged
with both skepticism and a motherly protectiveness that couldn’t be
shaken.
Graham’s gaze flicked briefly to Isla before returning to Maggie. He
had plenty of ways to handle this situation, but he chose the one that
would drive his point home to Isla. His voice softened but held an
unmistakable weight. “This is her home,” he said simply, his words
deliberate. “It’s always been her home. All she needs to do is open her
eyes and see it–accept it.”
The air around them seemed to freeze. Isla, who had been blushing
furiously from Maggie’s emotional scolding, now felt the heat drain
from her face. Her skin turned cold, and her stomach twisted into a
knot. She didn’t need to look at Graham to know what he was
implying.
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. He wasn’t just talking about the manor. He was alluding to his marriage proposal, the one she’d refused to acknowledge since their earlier conversation. His message was clear: Thornfield Manor would truly be her home, but only if she accepted what he was offering–him.
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Her fingers clenched the strap of her handbag as a wave of conflicting
emotions swept over her. Embarrassment, anger, and a trace of
sadness swirled inside her. She hated how easily Graham managed to
slip his agenda into even the most mundane conversations. The way
he made his offer seem like a natural conclusion–as if she’d be
foolish to reject it–infuriated her.
Maggie, oblivious to the undertones of Graham’s comment, finally
released Isla, though not without a stern look. “You go inside and rest, young lady,” she said, wiping her eyes. “But don’t think this is
over. I’ve got plenty to say to you later.”
Isla nodded mutely, avoiding Graham’s gaze as she turned toward the
manor. Her steps were quick, but the weight of his words followed
her, heavy as a chain around her neck.
Graham watched her retreating figure, his expression unreadable. He
hadn’t missed the way her shoulders tensed at his comment or how
she avoided meeting his eyes. He wasn’t sure if his message had sunk
in–or if it had only driven her further away.
Home. Isla doubted she’d ever be able to call Thornfield Manor her
home again. The warmth and laughter that had once filled its grand
halls were gone, along with the family who had given it life. Now, it
felt like an elegant mausoleum–beautiful but empty.
Sure, Maggie and Edwin were still here, and she cared for them
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deeply. In many ways, they were the closest thing to family she had
left. But even they couldn’t bridge the chasm that had formed in her
heart. Thornfield wasn’t theirs, and it didn’t feel like hers either.
And Graham? He had clearly sensed her longing for something-
someone–to fill the void. His marriage proposal was proof enough of
that. On paper, it was the perfect solution: a husband, a family, a
place to belong again. But in reality, the idea made her chest tighten
with equal parts anxiety and frustration.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
