Chapter 62 A Day's Company
Upon his arrival at Isabella's bedside, Alexander was greeted by the sight of her frail form lying weakly on the bed.
He took a seat beside her, concern etching lines into his usually composed features.
"How are you feeling?" he inquired gently.
Isabella's pallid complexion and tremulous breaths were telltale signs of her deteriorating health.
"Alex, you came," she murmured, a hint of frustration lacing her weak voice. "I told them not to call you. I know you're busy. Why didn't they listen?"
She attempted to rise from the bed, but her strength failed her.
Alexander firmly pressed her back onto the bed, his tone resolute. "Stay put. They did the right thing calling me. How did you get so sick?"
Isabella coughed weakly, shaking her head in denial. "It’s my fault. I'm just too frail. I really hate myself for it. I might as well be dead, so I wouldn’t have to suffer like this."
Alexander frowned, his eyes brimming with worry. "Don’t talk nonsense," he admonished gently.
At that moment, a servant entered the room, carrying a towel.
Alexander accepted it, draping it over Isabella's forehead and pressing down gently. "Don't worry, you’ll feel better soon."
Isabella clutched his hand tightly, her voice barely a whisper. "What’s the point? I'll just get sick again. It's a never-ending cycle. Alex, I don’t know how much longer I can hold on. Maybe just let it be. Let nature take its course."
Alexander's voice hardened, although it lacked true harshness. "Stop talking like that, or you’ll really make me mad." His tone was still indulgent, still tender with Isabella.
Seeing Alexander's genuine upset, Isabella fell silent, not daring to say more.
Alexander spent the entire day by Isabella’s side, a silent sentinel against her suffering. It was only after the sun had set that her fever finally broke, and she regained her senses.
He glanced at the thermometer and exhaled in relief. "Isabella, you're fine now, the fever's gone."
"Alex, have you been with me all day?" she asked, her voice weak but clear.
He murmured an affirmation, his voice soft. "As long as you're alright."
Isabella gazed at him with a look of profound admiration. "With you here, I can keep going. You're my reason to live, Alex. With you by my side, I can weather any hardship."
Alexander looked at Isabella's earnest expression and was reminded of a conversation he'd had with Ava about a jade bracelet.
And the trip overseas he’d arranged for Isabella, and the two-month business trip where he’d accompanied her—had Isabella revealed all this to Ava?
Feeling that Isabella was now in a better state, he decided to broach the topic. "Isabella, I have to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."
Isabella's expression turned uneasy. "What's going on?"
"What did you say to Ava at the office that day?"Alexander's question felt like an interrogation.
"Alex, I... I did tell her some things."
"Including the fact that I sent you abroad and the two months I spent on business trips, when I was by your side, right?"
During those two months, Isabella's health had taken a turn for the worse. He had stayed by her side, prepared for the worst, but Isabella had managed to pull through.
"Yes, I told her."Alexander's expression turned icy.
"Isabella, why on earth did you tell her all that? She didn't need to know."
Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes. "What if I said she needed to know? Are you mad at me? You think I shouldn't have told her, but there was a reason why I did."
"And what reason is that?"
"I wanted her to give up on you for good. Your divorce is happening, and I couldn't stand to see her heartbroken. So I was harsh to help her let go of you, to make her days a bit easier. It might seem selfish of me, but that wasn't my intention. I just wanted her to step out of your shadow sooner rather than later, to embrace a new life. Being the good guy isn't easy. It often leads to misunderstandings."
Isabella turned her head away, discomfort evident in her posture. "It's okay if you're upset with me. I shouldn't have said those things. I'm sorry, I can apologize to her."
Alexander sighed, "Alright, stop crying. I get it."
Upon reflection, Ava did deserve to know. Keeping her in the dark only added to his own sense of guilt.
Isabella was right. Ava needed to hit rock bottom with him in order to start anew. The thought of 'starting anew' sent pangs of pain through him. Ava's new life wouldn't include him anymore.
Then something else occurred to Alexander.
"There's one more thing, Isabella."
"What is it?"
Was he questioning her about all this out of suspicion? Or had Ava whispered something in his ear that sowed seeds of doubt?
"Why does Ava think the diamond bracelet I gave her was chosen by you? Did you tell her that?"
