Chapter 9
1162 Words
Isabella's heart shattered.
While she was battling for her life in the hospital, he was busy cozying up to his fiancée.
Well, of course, she was more important than Isabella's life ever could be.
Isabella narrowed her eyes, her gaze burning with defiance.
Alex exhaled in relief. Thank God she's fine, he thought. I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if something happened to her.
Is she hooking up with Alex's assistant? Camila wondered, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"What the hell are you doing here? Who gave this maid permission to enter?" Alex snapped, his voice sharp and cold.
"Tsk," Isabella muttered under her breath, then raised her voice.
"This maid is here to see her children, because she fears she might die any day in this hellhole of a house."
Her eyes locked on Alex's, unflinching.
"What do you mean?" Camila asked, rising from Alex's lap and walking toward Isabella. "And why do you look so pale?"
Before Isabella could respond, Alex's icy glare shifted to his assistant.
The man stiffened immediately. "A...Alex.... I....."
"How dare you bring this filth in here!" Alex thundered.
"I'm sorry." the assistant stammered, grabbing Isabella by the arm and dragging her out of the room.
The door slammed shut behind her.
Camila turned to Alex, her expression unreadable.
"I'll be leaving now," she said, her tone firm and final.
"Camila......" Alex called after her, but she didn't look back.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Lucas asked, his big, innocent eyes searching his father's face, as he walked out of the corridor.
"Nothing," Alex replied softly. "Let's go check on your sister."
"She's awake, Dad. Sophia already started drinking water. I came to tell Mom."
"Mom has urgent work to do, so she's gone," Alex said quietly, taking Lucas's hand and leading him toward Sophie's room.
As they got to the room, Sophia was sitting on the bed, her lips still a little pale.
"Daddy," she called softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Alex rushed to her side and pulled her gently into his arms, ruffling her hair with trembling fingers.
"Daddy was scared," he whispered, pressing a kiss on the top of her head.
Lucas lowered his gaze and said quietly, "Sophia has always been like this... weak since she was little. Any small excitement or too much energy, and she'll just faint. That's why we never go out. Mummy said it's not something the hospital can fix."
He played with his father's fingers as he spoke, his voice soft and innocent.
Alex sighed deeply. The part about the hospital not being able to cure her... that's what haunts me the most, he thought. With all my wealth, I still can't heal my own daughter.
I must ask Isabella... she would know more about this, Alex decided silently.
He pulled both of his children close, Sophia resting her head against his chest, and Lucas hugging his father's leg tightly.
————
Isabella lowered her head, unable to meet Nate's eyes.
Nate studied her quietly, a deep frown forming on his face. He never thought his boss, the Alex Castillo, would have an illegitimate child.
And this young woman… she was the one paying the price for it, losing her children to another woman.
He sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Isa," he said softly. "You'll be fine, okay? Don't forget to take the drugs the doctor gave you. And try to eat something. When last did you eat?"
Isabella slowly raised her head, her tired eyes meeting his.
Nate was tall, not the intimidating kind of tall, but the kind that made you feel safe.
He had green eyes, calm and steady, like a forest after rainfall.
Eyes that carried understanding, not judgment or disgust.
"I haven't eaten today," Isabella murmured, lowering her gaze again.
Nate paused, then laughed softly in disbelief. His laughter faded as his gaze fixed on Isabella.
"Are you a child?" he muttered, louder than he intended. "Why would you starve yourself? Do you think that helps anything? Don't act dumb."
His voice rose with frustration as he gripped her shoulders gently, shaking her as if trying to wake her from a trance.
Isabella smiled faintly. The warmth from this man... it's too much for someone like me, she thought. Someone this filthy doesn't deserve that kind of kindness.
She stepped back, bowing slightly, almost ninety degrees.
"Thank you for caring," she said softly. "But I don't deserve anything good. I won't be a burden."
Before Nate could stop her, she turned and walked away, her frail figure fading down the hallway.
Nate sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Did I scare her off? Did I say the wrong thing? I was only trying to help…"
He stared at the direction she left, his eyes filled with something that looked like sadness, and a strange unwillingness to let her go.
Just then, Alex stepped out, adjusting his wristwatch. He noticed Nate standing there, lost in thought.
"Nate."
"Uh....." Nate jolted slightly, his body tensing. The sound of his name snapped him back to reality.
Alex raised a brow. "Relax, I just called your name. You look like I caught you doing something wrong."
"Sorry, sir," Nate muttered.
Alex sighed, rubbing his temple. "Take me to the bar. I need to clear my head."
"Okay, sir," Nate replied automatically.
Alex turned sharply to face him. "We've been friends for years, what's with the 'sir' again?"
Nate chuckled faintly. "I'm still your assistant."
Alex squinted at him. What's going on with everyone these days? he thought. Maybe I'm not the only one developing issues.
————
Lucas held Sophia's hand gently.
"Dad said Mama is gone," he murmured, his little voice trembling, "but I saw Mama today. She looked weak and tired…"
He paused, his brows furrowing in thought. "And her eyes looked just like that time when Dad's picture frame broke, and Mom asked if the picture disliked her."
Sophia listened quietly, too weak to reply at first. She turned her gaze slowly toward her brother, her small voice barely a whisper.
"Mommy hasn't been happy since she came here," she said sadly. "What if we tell Aunt Camila to leave our dad alone?"
Lucas frowned, shaking his head. "But Aunt Camila has been good to us. And Mama said we should always treat people right, no matter what."
He climbed onto the bed and hugged Sophia tightly.
"I wish Mama many, many happiness," he said, his voice innocent but full of resolve. "And I wish I could grow up fast… so I can protect you and Mom."
Sophia smiled faintly, resting her head on his shoulder. "You're the best brother."
"I know," Lucas replied with a small grin. "Now let me get you some beans to eat, just like the ones Mom gives you, with milk."
He hopped off the bed and ran toward the door, determined, while Sophia watched him with tired but cute eyes.
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