Chapter 12 The call you need to make now is to emergency services, not to me.
Isaac stiffened slightly.
He withdrew his hand and tucked a pillow into her arms, consoling her softly, "Don't be scared. I'm here, and no one will harm you."
Kalista pleaded, "Then promise me you'll stay with me and not leave while I'm asleep again, okay? If you don't promise, I won't sleep!"
She clung to the pillow fiercely.
Kalista was only trying to find solace by reaching for his arm, and Isaac had pushed her away.
When would she ever be close to Isaac?
"Alright, I promise," Isaac agreed promptly to Kalista's request without a moment's hesitation.
Tears of joy streamed down Kalista's face as she said sweetly, "Thank you, Isaac. You're so good to me."
Nora observed their affectionate display with icy detachment as though she were an outsider, completely out of place among them.
It took an unforgivably long while before Kalista feigned surprise, turning her gaze upon her.
"Nora, when did you come in? What are you here for? Don't tell me you came back for another shot at ruining my life since the car accident didn't finish the job?"
She trembled all over, her eyes wide with terror as she sought refuge behind Isaac.
Isaac comforted her with a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Don't be scared. With me here, she wouldn't dare to harm you."
"I brought her to apologize," he explained, his eyes suddenly hardening as they met Nora's. "Go on, apologize."
Nora replied coolly, "Step aside, you're in my way. How am I supposed to apologize for you blocking her?"
Isaac hesitated for a moment before rising to his feet, moving aside to leave Kalista unprotected from Nora's view.
"If you don't feel like apologizing, you don't have to. Just promise to turn over a new leaf, and I'll let bygones be bygones," Kalista offered sweetly, though her eyes were filled with provocation.
Nora remained silent, approaching without a hint of emotion.
She stopped just two short steps away from Kalista. Puffing out her chest, Kalista assumed the posture of a victor, waiting for Nora to grovel in apology.
She had been publicly humiliated by Nora earlier at Katie's birthday bash; now, she yearned to trample Nora's dignity underfoot.
However, what came wasn't Nora's apology.
"Smack!"
Nora raised her hand and slapped Kalista hard across the face.
Kalista tumbled onto the hospital bed, her head buzzing, the wound on her forehead reopening and oozing fresh blood.
Frozen, her face registered sheer disbelief.
Wasn't Nora here to apologize?
Why had she struck her instead?
"Nora, why did you hit me? I was ready to forgive you, yet you slap me? You're just cruel!" Kalista glared at Nora, indignant with rage.
Nora scoffed, "You know very well who the real villain is here."
"I haven't done anything wrong to you, and I certainly won't apologize. If you insist on an apology, this is how I give it! You stole my painting and then attempted to harm me by shoving me into the street. That slap was well deserved!"
Kalista's eyes flickered with panic, quickly masked by her rising anger.
"What nonsense are you spouting? It was you who pushed me, trying to harm me. The surveillance footage caught your vicious act clear as day. How dare you twist the truth?"
Nora spoke with a chill in her voice, "Who's twisting the truth? You know it in your heart."
Kalista was furious.
Tears welling up, she turned to Isaac. "Isaac, look at her! She hit me right in front of you. Imagine what she'd do when you're not around!"
Isaac looked like he might explode.
He couldn't believe Nora had the audacity to disobey his orders. Not only did she refuse to apologize, but she also struck Kalista right before his eyes.
Such brazenness. She clearly didn't take him seriously at all!
"Nora, what did you promise me just now?" he seethed through clenched teeth.
Nora coldly replied, "I promised to come and apologize, and that's exactly what I just did. Isn't that enough? I wouldn't mind adding a couple more slaps if needed."
Isaac's face turned the color of steel.
With a cold aura enveloping him, he advanced toward Nora with a look that could chill the soul.
He resembled a vengeful demon coming to claim a life, looking to execute her on the spot.
As he drew closer, his oppressive presence was overwhelming.
Nora felt her nerves tighten, struggling to catch her breath.
The menacing air about him caused her body to quiver uncontrollably, instilling a flicker of fear despite her resolve.
Yet, she stood her ground, defiantly tilting her chin to meet his gaze.
After all, with just three months left to live, she had nothing to fear. Even if he ended her life right then, she'd only be short of three months.
In her final months, she refused to live in submission, or to tolerate his injustices as she had before!
Soon, Isaac was right in front of her.
He suddenly reached out and grasped Nora's jaw.
A sharp pain shot through her cheeks, forcing a muffled cry of pain and contorting her face with the intensity.
Her body shook uncontrollably, but she bit down hard, glaring at him with unwavering defiance.
Isaac narrowed his eyes dangerously, his deep voice laced with a chill that could pierce bone. "What exactly do you think you're doing?"
"How dare you hit Kalista right in front of me. I won't let you get away with this that easily."
"Either you apologize to Kalista right now, or I take that security footage and hand you over to the cops."
"If you're found guilty of premeditated murder, you're looking at a minimum of ten years behind bars."
"It's your choice: apologize or jail time!"
Nora was overwhelmed with disappointment and sadness.
Just because she slapped Kalista, he was willing to send her to prison?
He seemed to really care about Kalista.
At that moment, she completely lost all hope in Isaac.
The brightness in her clear eyes faded swiftly, her gaze becoming dim and lifeless.
"Fine, send me to jail then; I'd rather rot there than apologize to her!"
Isaac saw the look of disappointment in her eyes.
Nora, what gives you the right to look at me like that?
Isaac stared at her for a few seconds before forcefully pushing her away and shouting toward. the door, "Wesley!"
Wesley burst into the room, his face flushed with panic. "Mr. Porter, what do you need?"
Isaac looked at Nora, grinding his teeth as he said, "Take her to the police station. Say she's suspected of premeditated murder!"
Wesley glanced at his boss, astonished.
Was Isaac serious?
As Isaac's personal assistant, Wesley knew very well how much Isaac cared about Nora.
Would Isaac truly bear to have Nora sent to prison?
"Are you deaf? Go now!" Isaac barked with fury.
Wesley trembled with fear.
He dared not delay any longer, hastily escorting Nora out of the hospital and driving her to the police station.
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