Chapter 196 Losing the One Who Would Die for Me
But no, there was nothing.
Sebastian's face remained unexpectedly calm when he uttered a single word, "Oh."
Isabella felt a chill in her heart. "Aren't you surprised?"
"It's quite the coincidence," Sebastian said. "I happen to know everything."
Now it was Isabella's turn to be astonished.
She stared at Sebastian with her mouth slightly open. He continued to keep his gaze fixed on the road ahead, not sparing her a glance as he drove. In days past, he would often tease her while driving.
But now... he was as aloof as a stranger.
"How do you know everything?" Isabella pressed, "What on earth is going on?"
The situation was becoming increasingly confusing.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like someone who could be so easily manipulated or deceived to you? Someone without the ability to distinguish right from wrong?"
"I didn't mean that..."
"This whole episode only confirms one thing."
"What... what is it?"
"You and Marcus still have feelings for each other," Sebastian stated flatly.
"That's not true!" Isabella immediately denied it. "If you're talking about friendship or affection, I would agree. But it can't be love!"
He scoffed.
Isabella was about to say more when her stomach suddenly let out a series of loud rumbles, betraying her hunger.
She had forgotten that she hadn't eaten anything since the morning. Even if there was food in front of her now, she doubted she could eat, but she had the baby to think about.
So much had happened that day...
Her thoughts raced with worry for her child.
For the sake of her baby, she needed to take care of herself, too.
Isabella leaned back in the seat, suddenly feeling chilly with waves of cold sweeping up from within. Sweat coated her palms and her back.
A fearful thought struck her: during the moment she had recklessly thrown herself in front of Marcus, if one of those thugs, the tall one or the short one, had stabbed her, her baby...
The baby would likely not have survived.
At that time, amidst the danger, she hadn't thought it through.
As she thought back, she was seized with a wave of relief.
Thankfully, amidst the misfortune, a stroke of luck had spared her the loss of not only her child but also the very thought of such a possibility.
Noticing her sudden silence and pale complexion, Sebastian glanced at her briefly, then quickly averted his eyes again. His lips were pressed tightly together, and there were hints of a cold sternness in his gaze.
Isabella had the urge to caress her belly and whisper an apology to her unborn child.
But the guilt weighed heavily on her.
She knew she wasn't being a good mother, endangering herself without a thought for her baby.
Looking back, if she had remembered the life growing inside her, would she still have stepped in front of Marcus without hesitation?
There were no do-overs, no ifs. No one would come to her rescue again, no one else would take a bullet for her.
"What's on your mind?" Sebastian's voice broke through her reverie. "Spill it."
Isabella looked down at her swelling abdomen.
Taking a deep breath, she confessed, "I'm wondering if there's anyone besides Marcus who would risk their life for me."
Sebastian let out a scoff.
Isabella smiled wryly, "I lost a man who was willing to give his life for mine, vanished from my life forever, with no chance of reconnecting. I can't decide if that's luck or misfortune."
"What do you think?"
Instead of answering, she challenged, "Sebastian, with all your power and influence, have you ever considered if anyone would value your life above their own?"
Sebastian replied indifferently, "I would never put myself in such peril."
"Still, going through life without someone willing to risk it all for you... that's pretty tragic, isn't it?"
He frowned. "Are you saying my life is tragic?"
"No," said Isabella, turning to him, "Lynda would do that for you, right?"
Sebastian's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"You've done a lot for her. Challenging the Lawrence family, defying your grandfather, orchestrating everything, and even using me as a pawn for her to marry you. If she were in danger one day, you'd jump to save her. If the roles were reversed, she'd do the same for you, right?"
A harsh screech of brakes filled the air as tires skidded across the asphalt, almost igniting sparks.
Had it not been for her seatbelt, Isabella thought her head might've struck the windshield.
She lurched forward and recoiled back into her seat.
By the time she caught her breath, Sebastian had already swung open the car door and stepped out.
Before she could question him, she heard the door slam shut with a thud.
What was he thinking?
Had Sebastian just walked off, leaving her and the car stranded?
That couldn't be right...
Isabella's stomach growled again; this time louder.
She stood up and scanned the crowd, finally spotting Sebastian amidst the endless flow of traffic and pedestrians.
He was hard to miss; his tall frame and distinguished air made him shine like a beacon in a sea of people.
He wandered into a corner store.
Isabella's gaze drifted away. What was he going to buy? Cigarettes?
Inside, Sebastian stood expressionless in front of the shelves. "Can I get a sandwich?" He requested.
"Sure, just a minute," came the response.
While paying, he casually grabbed a pack of cigarettes.
The cashier, a young woman with flushed cheeks, gave him an extra glance and asked, "Will this all be together?"
"Yes."
"We've got some fresh-prepared lunches over there," she suggested, "They're well-balanced, nutritious meals."
"No need," Sebastian replied. "It's for my wife."
"You’re really good to her," she remarked.
He raised an eyebrow, "Good? Maybe."
"Yeah, just like they say online, all the good guys are already taken."
Sebastian paid, lifted his bag, and said, "She’s hungry. This is just to hold her over until we get home for dinner. Thanks."
Charming and polite, he left the cashier practically swooning with hearts in her eyes. "You're welcome! Have a great day."
Isabella waited idly, and after a few minutes, Sebastian finally returned.
He smelled faintly of tobacco and casually tossed a pack of cigarettes aside.
So, he had been buying cigarettes after all, she mused, spot on with her guess.
Then, out of nowhere, Sebastian threw something at her, and it landed squarely on her.
"What's this?" Isabella picked it up. "A sandwich?"
His voice was cool, "Wouldn’t want you to starve."
Her emotions tangled up as she held the sandwich, a mixture of sentiments swirling within her.
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