Chapter 20

Isabella sighed as she heard Charles's response. But no, she wasn't shocked. At the back of her mind, she always deduced that Charles wanted to marry her for a reason that wasn't just love. Definitely, the first thing that came to his mind when he saw her wasn't; Oh, I am going to marry her. "Isabella?" She looked up at his worried eyes. "I can explain," he said, his hands ready to hold onto hers as though she was about to run away and that was the only way to stop her. Shrugging lightly, she said, "You don't have to." "I-" She had her seat. "Charles, it is fine. You don't have to explain anything. How do I put this?" she asked as her eyes trained forward thoughtfully. Then, suddenly, she clicked her fingers as she found the phrase she was searching for. "Let's just say we are using each other." "What? What do you mean?" Charles finally sat opposite her, his presence soothing Isabella more and more. "I am getting married to you for protection from my ravaging ex-husband and yo