Twisted Ties of Love

Chapter 36

When Brett brought Izabella back to the hospital, she had already passed out and was taken to the emergency room. The test results were a little better than last time.

Izabella's body was weak to begin with, and with the strong mental stimulation, it caused her to faint. Thankfully, she was sent to the hospital in time, otherwise, it would have been life-threatening.

During Izabella's unconsciousness, Brett arranged for Alan's body to be taken away and had Liam find a good burial plot according to feng shui principles.

Alan's death stirred up a storm on the internet, and Presley, having just finished a surgery and not having a chance to rest yet, overheard nurses talking about it.

His expression shifted instantly, and he gripped the nurse's arm in a state of anxiety. "Who did you say died?"

"Alan," the nurse replied, "the one who received a death sentence last week. Today was his second trial, but he grabbed someone's phone and fell from a building to his death."

Presley's face turned blank, his emotions numbed as his mind raced. "If Alan is dead, what about Izabella? Wasn't she supposed to be present at the court hearing today? Does she already know?" A whirlwind of questions swirled within him.

The nurse in front of him looked at him quizzically for a moment, then awkwardly walked away.

Feeling like he'd lost his soul, Presley pulled out his phone from his coat pocket, hands trembling. He called Izabella first, and when no one picked up, he called her caregiver. After three seconds of waiting, the caregiver answered.

"Dr. Felton."

Presley anxiously asked, "Where's Izabella? Are you with her?"

"Yes."

"Where is she?"

"Ms. Salotti is in her hospital room. She just visited her dad and fainted from a shock..."

Presley was already on his way to the hospital room, running and apologizing to passing patients and nurses. "I'll be there right away."

All the way there, Presley's mind was filled with the caregiver's words: Izabella passed out from shock. At this point, she needed someone to be there for her more than ever, but what could he say to her?

Telling her something like "Take it easy, accept your loss" would be like rubbing salt in her wound. There's no way he could say such cruel words.

As he ran, Presley suddenly slowed down, his face full of pain.

Izabella lay still on the bed, her lips pale and her eyes tightly closed. Brett sat by her side, gently clasping her hand in his, trying to bring warmth to them.

A tinge of pity began to surface within Brett, although it wasn't driven by romantic feelings. He was well aware that he could never fall in love with Izabella.

As she herself had admitted, he had been cruel to her. If there was even a hint of affection in his heart, he wouldn't have been so heartless. No, the one he truly loved was Kaley, the girl who had been by his side since childhood and had saved his life six years ago.

Brett let out a soft sigh, his gaze focused on Izabella, studying her carefully. At just 24 years old, she possessed delicate features, with the natural curvature of her lips giving the impression of a perpetual smile.

But it was her eyes that truly captivated people—an endless well of emotions residing within them.

Even if she wore ragged clothes, it could not hide her radiance.

In R City, a place full of beautiful women, her beauty had an overpowering presence among women that made it difficult for others to look straight at her.

If someone was too attractive, they would easily become the target of jealousy.

There were always two kinds of gazes around Izabella: one was women's envy, the other was men's infatuation.

Six years ago, when Brett first met Izabella at a party, her dazzling red dress stole everyone's attention.

In the past, Brett used to describe Izabella as a vibrant and captivating red rose. However, now, that red rose had wilted, its roots decayed and fragile, crumbling at the slightest touch.

When did it all begin for her? Even her once joyful smile had turned bitter, and despite being someone who loved to smile, she had spent the past few years sleeping with a frown, sadness clinging to her like a shadow.

Izabella's eyelashes trembled as she woke up, finding Brett seated directly in front of her, his face wearing a solemn expression as he gazed at her.

Brett looked uneasy as she woke, retracting his hand. "Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?"

Izabella stared blankly at him, devoid of any energy. Her soulless state frightened Brett. She looked like someone who had lost all emotions.

"Brett, did you see my dad before he passed away? What did you say to him?"

Pouring water, Brett's hand shook as he heard her words. The water splashed on his hand, a hot sting coursing through his skin and into his heart.

He didn't say anything, but his stiff back already confirmed all of Izabella's suspicions.

Izabella's face remained devoid of expression as she stared at the ceiling, her eyes lacking any spark. The memories of Alan's final words echoed in her mind, causing tears to once again stream down her cheeks.

"My dad's last words were to be careful with you..." Those who knew Alan considered him a gentle soul, easily taken advantage of. How could someone like him find the strength to confront death?

Unless he had encountered something, something so dire that it could only be resolved through his own demise.

"What does your dad's death have to do with me?" Brett's face quickly regained its composure. He turned around, his gaze locking with Izabella's as he held a cup of water. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

"Perhaps he couldn't bear the guilt and chose to take his own life. Or maybe he believed that a life behind bars would be worse than death, so he made the choice to end it."

"Is that really what happened?" Izabella tried to see through Brett's façade, to understand his inner thoughts.

"Brett, I promised you that we won't divorce. But can you bring my dad back to me?"

"Your dad's already dead." Brett calmly stated the fact.

Yeah... her dad is already dead.

"Then let's divorce." She can no longer convince herself to continue with Brett. Their marriage was a mistake from the beginning.

Brett's voice turned icy as he replied, "Don't even entertain such thoughts."

"What do you expect of me?" Izabella stared at the man in front of her, tears welling up in her eyes. With a voice filled with anguish, she shouted, "Do I even feel like a normal human being beside you? What more do you want from me?!"