Chapter17
989 Words
In the following two days, Isabella's life was calm and simple.
Apart from taking time to visit her father in the hospital, she mostly shuttled between school and the upscale apartment.
She dined at the school cafeteria for its affordability and time-saving convenience.
The manager at the music studio quickly arranged two one-on-one tutoring jobs for her without any objections.
Given Isabella's status as a talented student at the music academy and her national-level awards, the parents were pleased with her, and she secured both tutoring positions smoothly.
Though the pay wasn't substantial, it was enough to cover Isabella's modest lifestyle, relieving her of financial worries. Her life seemed to be gradually returning to normal.
On Friday evening, after finishing her tutoring sessions, she returned to Dominic's apartment at Serenity Heights Estates.
As usual, she reported her whereabouts voluntarily as per Dominic's request.
【"Reporting, hunny. Safely home."】
The attached picture was a selfie of her standing in the living room of the apartment, proving she wasn't lying.
Reporting to Dominic had become a habit for Isabella. The term "hunny" rolled off her tongue more easily each day, and for those unaware, they might think the two were indeed a sweet couple.
Dominic, on the other side of the world, faced a vast distance and a time difference of over ten hours.
Due to work commitments, his responses were unpredictable—sometimes quick, sometimes delayed by an hour or two.
Isabella neither expected nor minded.
After sending the message, she casually put down her phone, preparing to take a shower.
Buzz—
her phone vibrated. This time, Dominic's reply was unusually prompt.
【Do you miss me？】
Isabella grabbed her phone and replied with a simple "Yes," but her mind was elsewhere, feeling extremely perfunctory.
Rehearsing during the day and tutoring at night, guiding a young child to control a violin required more than just patience.
Exhausted, she just wanted to end the conversation quickly and take a hot shower before a good night's sleep.
Dominic's response came, this time in the form of a picture. He was dressed in light-colored western attire, elegantly holding a champagne glass and toasting with the acquisition target.
Standing among a group of well-dressed, blonde-haired, blue-eyed business elites, Dominic in black attire and black hair was the absolute focus, standing out with his handsome and charismatic demeanor.
This time, Dominic had successfully acquired a well-known energy company. Without a doubt, this photo would soon make headlines in The Wall Street Journal.
Achieving such success at such a young age made Isabella genuinely admire his business acumen and charisma.
【"Congratulations on successfully expanding your business horizons."】
This time, Isabella's reply was sincere, not perfunctory. She genuinely admired Dominic's business skills.
Buzz—
Her phone vibrated again, and Dominic sent a video call invitation.
Isabella accepted the call, and Dominic's face immediately appeared on the phone screen. The front camera still captured that charming face quite mesmerizingly.
It seemed like Dominic was standing on a balcony, with a vibrant sunrise behind him in a foreign country.
The acquisition had been successful, evident from the cheerful tone in his voice. "I'm coming back tomorrow. Mrs. Kingsley, what gift would you like?"
"No need, just focus on your work," Isabella politely declined.
She knew how much of the title "Mrs. Kingsley" was just for show. She couldn't accept things from him.
Sensing her tiredness, Dominic frowned, "Not feeling well?"
"Just a bit tired."
"Then rest early. The flight is booked, and you'll see me tomorrow."
"Okay, hunny. Goodbye." They ended the call, and Isabella went into the bathroom.
On the surface, they seemed like an intimate couple. However, Isabella was well aware that it was all an illusion.
Dominic married her partly for business purposes and partly as retaliation against Maximilian. His current kindness towards her was nothing more than the temporary excitement and conquest of a man.
Once he got bored with these games, he would discard her like an uninteresting toy, much like the abandoned female slippers in his shoe cabinet. She was just cooperating with him in this game.
There's no free lunch in this world.
These are the costs and interest he helped her with!
What she used to believe and expect in love...
Nothing but worthless nonsense!
Putting the phone on the table, she walked into the bathroom, undressed, and stood under the shower.
Buzz—
The phone on the sink suddenly vibrated. She grabbed the towel and wrapped it around herself, seeing a call from the hospital on the screen, making her instantly tense.
"Hello, I'm Isabella!"
"Miss Kingsley, your father just had a sudden cerebral herniation. We are doing everything we can to save him. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible."
Her fingers trembled, and Isabella's phone almost dropped to the ground.
"Okay, I...I'll come right away."
Rushing out of the bathroom, Isabella hurriedly put on clothes.
Her hair still wet, she rushed out of the apartment door.
Arriving at the hospital in a hurry, when she reached the door of the ICU ward, her coat was already soaked with hair.
"Nurse!" She grabbed a nurse who was coming out of the ICU, her voice trembling, "Excuse me, how's my dad...Richard Hartwell, what's happening to him?"
"He's still being resuscitated. Please wait over there for now."
The nurse hurriedly replied, rushing to get medication. Isabella took two steps back, leaning weakly against the wall, slowly crouching down.
"Dad...you must pull through, please!"
Nurses and doctors moved back and forth, the ICU door opening and closing.
For Isabella, less than half an hour felt like an eternity.
A pair of shoes in leather approached. Isabella nervously lifted her face, seeing the chief physician, Dr. John, standing in front of her.
Behind Dr. John were several other doctors.
Isabella's heart tightened, and she struggled to stand up, feeling her entire being shaky.
"How's my dad..."
- Writer
