UNTIL HE REMEMBERS ME

Chapter 10

Isabella didn't return to the maids' quarters, she knew Helena would be there, waiting to haunt her like a ghost that never rests.

Instead, she walked quietly toward the garden.

Servants and maids weren't allowed there only gardeners or cleaners assigned to that section but Isabella didn't care anymore.

She had been craving the peace of the garden for a long time.

It was always empty, silent, and untouched, like a forgotten corner of the mansion.

The air was calm. The scent of wet soil lingered faintly.

She sat down on the grass without a thought for her clothes, letting the cool blades press against her palms.

At that moment, even the grass felt luckier than her, at least it received sunlight, water, and care.

Isabella lay back slightly, tracing shapes into the sky with her fingers, sketching invisible dreams only she could see.

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

"How's Sophia?" she whispered to herself.

"Has she had another episode?"

Her chest tightened with worry.

Then she heard footsteps.

Her body froze.

She turned slowly, and her heart nearly stopped.

Mr. Rafael Castillo.

The air around her thickened.

He was walking toward her with that same quiet authority that made everyone else shrink in his presence.

Each step he took made her retreat slightly, her bare hands trembling against the grass.

What was he doing here?

And what would he say to her?

Her pulse raced as his shadow stretched over her.

Mr. Rafael Castillo walked toward Isabella and, to her utter disbelief, slowly lowered himself to the ground beside her.

Isabella's mouth fell open. She wanted to speak, to ask why, but the words wouldn't come.

The mighty Rafael Castillo, whose name made grown men flinch, was sitting on the grass beside her.

"Isabella," he said softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Good evening, sir," she replied quickly, bowing her head.

"When I first saw you," he began, "I liked you immediately, though our first encounter was you halting my son's marriage." His jaw tightened, the memory clearly unpleasant. "Still, I didn't hate you. In fact, I admired you more after that. You’re brave, honest… and real."

He reached out and took her hands gently.

Isabella looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

No one had ever spoken to her with such warmth before.

Her father only knew punishment.

Her mother, endless insults.

And her brother, nothing but disgrace and beatings.

"Isabella," Rafael continued, his tone now steady but soft, "stay strong. Not just for your children… but for yourself. You remind me so much of my mother. She never cared about wealth or status. That's why she hesitated to marry my father at first. She was simple, humble, loving, just like you."

Isabella blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of it all.

Why was this powerful man confiding in her?

She was just a maid, an unwanted thing meant to stay invisible.

"This garden," Rafael said, looking around, "was designed by me. I've always loved nature. You're the second person I've seen truly at peace here. So I'm giving you permission to come here whenever you want. Understood?”

"Thank you, sir, but I don't deserve that. I broke the rule, please punish me instead," Isabella said quickly, slipping her hands from his and kneeling before him.

"Sit down, Isabella," Rafael ordered calmly.

She stayed frozen on her knees, tears spilling freely.

She couldn't accept this kindness. What if he learned her truth and cast her aside?

She'd already been abandoned once, she couldn't handle it again.

"I said sit down," Rafael repeated, this time with quiet authority.

Isabella obeyed hesitantly, her heart pounding.

"Even if Alex refuses to marry you," he said at last, "I'll still keep you as my daughter. You hear me? Just be strong… for now."

He tried to stand up, but age and stiffness betrayed him.

Isabella immediately rushed forward, steadying him with both hands.

"Careful, sir," she murmured, holding him until he found his balance.

And as they walked back toward his building, her hand gently guiding his, Isabella realized it had been a long time since anyone had treated her like she mattered.

————

Alex sat on the stool, the light was dim, but the noise was louder than the chaos in his head.

He stared at the glass of whiskey in his hand, not drinking, just watching it like it held the answers he couldn't find.

Nate sat across from him, quietly observing. It had been months since Alex last stepped into a bar. Lately, he looked like a man being eaten alive from the inside.

"Would you like something with your drink?" Nate asked, nudging him.

Though Nate was his assistant, they'd known each other for years, long enough for Nate to see through the walls Alex built.

Alex looked up, eyes heavy and tired.

"Nate, why do my emotions go wild whenever I see Isabella? That girl just… she gets under my skin. Every damn time."

He let out a low, frustrated laugh and shook his head.

"The worst part? She's hurting Camila. I still don't even know how she ended up pregnant with my child. But patience isn't exactly my strength, especially when it comes to that lowlife."

Alex's words were sharp, but his voice carried something else, something even he didn't understand.

Nate sighed, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Why don't you just let her go, Alex?"

Alex's eyes snapped toward him, cold. "Why should I? She caused Camila pain, she deserves to pay for it. She's nothing but a gold digger and a homewrecker."

Nate held his gaze for a moment, unshaken. "Alex, be honest with yourself. Drop the pride for once. If both Camila and Isabella were dying, who would you save first?"

"Camila," Alex answered instantly. "If Isabella dies, it’s my gain." His tone was biting, but his eyes flickered for a moment, guilt, maybe.

"Then let her go," Nate said quietly. "She's already living her punishment. Her children call someone else 'Mom.' Do you have any idea what that feels like? The sleepless nights, the fear when Sophia gets sick, the pain of raising two kids alone? She's lost enough. What she deserves now… is freedom."

"Freedom?" Alex laughed coldly. "She earned her misery the day she crashed my wedding. She made my father like her, she made Camila cry, she made her doubt my love. Don't talk to me about freedom, Nate. There's no such thing for her."

Nate clenched his jaw. "You're wrong. Isabella's just twenty one, Alex. She's barely figuring life out. She's innocent in ways you refuse to see. Just let her go."

Alex's expression darkened. "And how old is Camila? Twenty one too. So why should she suffer because of Isabella's so called innocence? You're sounding like a fool tonight, Nate."

He downed three shots in quick succession, slamming the glass down.

Nate leaned closer, eyes steady. "You do realize you're hurting Camila too, right? As long as Isabella and the children remain in her sight, she'll never heal."

Alex froze for a moment, his jaw tightening. "Nate… how do you feel about Isabella?" he asked, trying to steady his voice. "Because tonight, you're acting strange."

Nate stood up slowly, his expression unreadable.

"I like her," he said simply, meeting Alex’' shocked gaze.