Chapter 2
853 Words
The moment Murat Asad stepped into the villa, an unusual silence filled the air.
He frowned and looked around. The sofa where Isabella usually sat was empty. The scent of her favorite perfume had vanished, replaced by an inexplicable coldness.
"Where is Isabella?" His deep voice echoed through the empty hall, tinged with impatience.
The butler, Judy, hesitated, then cautiously replied, "Sir, Miss Isabella... she's gone."
Murat raised an eyebrow, a hint of a sneer curling his lips.
"Throwing a tantrum again?" he muttered to himself, as if he was already used to it.
He pulled out his phone and opened Isabella's chat. There, he saw her breakup message.
Murat laughed in disbelief.
A breakup?!
Could she really go through with it?
"Just another trick," he said confidently. "She always does this; she'll come crawling back in a few days."
A flicker of unease crossed Judy's face, as if disapproving of her master’s attitude, though she dared not say anything.
Murat walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey. The amber liquid gleamed enticingly under the light. He took a sip, savoring the slight intoxication the alcohol brought.
He gazed out into the night, Isabella’s beautiful face flashing through his mind.
"Give her a week to cool off," he murmured. "Once I’m back from F Country, everything will be back to normal."
With that, he grabbed his phone and began arranging his trip to F Country.
Meanwhile, at H City airport…
After spending a night at the airport, Isabella finally took a taxi back to her small house in H City. The two-story home held countless memories of her childhood.
As she prepared to open the door, the neighboring house’s door swung open, and a figure rushed out in the opposite direction, hurrying away.
His steps were urgent.
She looked up and, to her surprise, it was her old friend, Lilo Castillo, whom she hadn’t seen in years.
Lilo was dressed in a sharp suit, his eyes filled with concern and a trace of surprise.
"Lilo?" Isabella forced a smile. "It’s been a long time."
Lilo stepped forward and took her luggage, his voice filled with worry. "Isabella? Are you alright? You look exhausted."
Isabella shook her head, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes.
"It’s a long story... Why are you here?"
Lilo sighed, a touch of sadness appearing in his gaze.
"I... I’m here to sort out Lilian’s belongings."
Isabella paused, then remembered that Lilian was Lilo’s ex-girlfriend.
"Lilian? What happened to her?"
"She... she passed away. There was a conflict in Y Country, and she was hit by a stray bullet," Lilo’s voice was hoarse with grief. "She left behind a child. I need to adopt that child, but... I need your help."
Isabella stared at Lilo, shocked, unsure how to respond.
Lilo took a deep breath, gathering his courage.
"Isabella, I know this is sudden and unreasonable, but... can you marry me? Just a fake marriage. That’s the policy over there. Only if we do this can I successfully adopt Lilian’s child."
Isabella froze. She looked into Lilo’s eyes, seeing the desperation and pain within them, and suddenly felt a pang of heartache.
She thought about the betrayal and hurt she had just experienced, and now saw this old friend trying so hard for the sake of an innocent child.
"Lilo, do you realize what you’re asking?" Isabella’s voice trembled slightly. "This isn’t something to take lightly."
Lilo took her hand, his eyes filled with pleading.
"I know it’s a lot to ask, but I have no other choice. That child... he’s Lilian’s."
Isabella fell into deep thought. She recalled Murat’s coldness, the love that had been wasted.
A crazy idea flashed through her mind.
"If... if I agree," Isabella said slowly, "can you promise this is only a temporary arrangement?"
Lilo nodded, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"I promise, Isabella. This is just for the adoption process. Once it’s done, we can..."
"Alright," Isabella interrupted, "I’ll do it."
Lilo was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly.
"Are you... sure?"
Isabella took a deep breath, her eyes filled with resolve.
"I’m sure. Maybe... this is also a way for me to start anew."
And so, on an ordinary morning in H City, Isabella and Lilo stood in front of the civil registry office.
The soft sunlight bathed them, as if witnessing this unexpected union.
When the clerk handed them their marriage certificate, Isabella’s hands trembled slightly.
She looked at the photo on the document—the woman smiling back at her seemed like a stranger.
"For that child," she whispered to herself, "and for a new beginning for me."
Lilo took the certificate, thanked Isabella, and rushed off to the airport.
Time was of the essence, and there wasn’t a second to lose. Every moment of delay added to the risk the child faced.
Watching Lilo’s hurried departure, Isabella silently prayed.
"May Lilo and the child return safely."
What she didn’t realize was that, as she spoke those words, a soft white glow surrounded her, as if something magical was happening.
- Writer
