Chapter 235 He Needs You
This was the first time Isabella heard Seb mention his mother.
Anna. Just hearing the name, Isabella could tell she was a beautiful person.
Seb said, "Since I can remember, my parents' relationship was always strained. Why it was bad, I never knew. I remember my mom always loved to sunbathe, tending to her flowers and plants in the yard. She adored gardening and would excitedly show me whenever she cultivated a new variety. My dad, on the other hand, was always buried in work, cold and indifferent to my mom—and to me, too. It was like we were living under the same roof as the closest strangers.
"Then my mom fell ill. She was bedridden most of the time, and her beloved plants began to wither away. One day, I came home to hear them arguing. I found my dad smashing a cup and strangling my mom. I didn't think—I just rushed in, hitting my dad with all my might, trying to pull him off her.
"But I was too small then, and my strength was insignificant. Charles threw me aside and pressed his knee into my mom's stomach, hitting her repeatedly, saying something about a bastard child.
"It was only later that I found out my mom was pregnant at that time.
"My mom had a miscarriage. The doctors tried for a long time but couldn't save her. As she lay dying, Charles stood by the bed, promising to keep her photo displayed in the house. I thought he'd actually do it, but in reality, my mom didn't even get a decent funeral. He had her buried quietly.
"It was a stormy day. I rushed into his room and found him having sex with Emma."
Choking with emotion, Seb found himself overwhelmed by memories. Though many years had passed, he still lacked the courage to face them with equanimity.
Isabella hugged him, feeling suffocated as well. She patted his back, her eyes red. "Stop saying."
Seb held her hand, as if finding a bit of strength. "All these years, I've been looking for my mom's burial site. Charles was too thorough; there was no way to find it. I studied hard, started a business, and finally made a place for myself in Lakina. Everything I've done all these years was to find my mother's grave.
"About half a year ago, I finally found it. When I got there, I found it was just a wasteland, full of weeds, even without a grave." Seb cried uncontrollably, like a child.
Isabella could feel Seb's helplessness, her heart aching as well. But at this moment, any words of comfort were insignificant. Because she couldn't share Seb's pain and torment; all she could do was accompany him.
"I finally got an opportunity and spent a lot of money to buy that land. I was always conflicted about whether to dig up the ground to find my mother's remains. She's already gone; I didn't want to disturb her again. So I thought of protecting that land, planting flowers and plants there, giving her a beautiful garden. But before I could do it, a series of events happened."
Isabella felt a deep sense of guilt. If it weren't for her, Seb wouldn't have lost his way and become so disoriented. Charles wouldn't have had the chance to take that land from Seb!
"Bella, Bella." Seb hugged her.
Isabella looked at him, secretly making a decision in her heart!
The incident with the sculpture had deeply affected Seb, causing his emotions to fluctuate greatly. Isabella, worried about his health, had Marvin come over to give him a sedative. After Seb fell asleep, she quietly closed the door and came out.
Jack was standing outside. Seeing her come out, he immediately approached. "Is Mr. Landon okay?"
Isabella shook her head. "Not really."
Jack nodded solemnly. "Given what's happened, it's no surprise. It's on me too—I'm limited in what I can do, and I couldn't stop Charles."
Isabella looked at him. "Is there any way to get that land back?"
Jack fell silent.
Isabella sensed something, urgently asking, "There is a way, right? Jack, tell me, is there any way to get that land back?"
Jack shook his head. "No way, unless we get evidence about Charles' crimes and prove that he took the land illegally."
"There must be!" Isabella said firmly, "If he did it, there will be evidence!"
Seeing her determination, Jack reminded her, "You shouldn't get involved in this. When Mr. Landon's eyes are healed, he will have a way to deal with Charles. Isabella, you and Mr. Landon have come a long way; just stay with him during this time. He needs you!"
"I will," Isabella said, "I need him too!"
As they were talking, a subordinate ran over. "Mr. Brown, Leo has passed out."
Isabella was shocked. "Leo?"
She hadn't seen Leo since the hot springs last night. She knew Richard and Zaire had arranged everything, so she didn't worry.
Isabella followed Jack and saw Leo being carried out on a soft stretcher. His eyes were closed, and his hands and face were injured.
The subordinate, who had been watching Leo all night, said, "Last night, he was self-harming all night. He destroyed everything in the room. This morning, he finally quieted down. We were worried he might die, so we opened the door and found him unconscious."
Self-harming all night didn't seem like something Leo would do, but the wounds on his face were quite shocking to Isabella.
Jack glanced at Isabella, then told the subordinate, "Have Marvin check him out. If there are no major issues, send him back to the Anderson family."
"Yes."
As the subordinate was about to take Leo away, Isabella suddenly spoke, "Wait!"
She hesitated for a moment, then walked towards Leo.
Jack's heart tightened. "Isabella."
Isabella paused and turned back."Jack, you said that if we get evidence of Charles's crimes, we can get that land back, right?"
Jack was silent.
"Besides Charles, who else could have evidence of his crimes?" Isabella asked.
Jack remained silent.
Besides Charles, only Emma and Leo might have it.
Jack thought, 'But Leo and the Landon family are on the same side now. How could he possibly help Isabella find evidence?'
"I want to try." Isabella said.
A flicker of inner turmoil passed through Jack's eyes. "But if Mr. Landon finds out..."
"Then don't let him know!" Isabella said, "Find a room and wake Leo up. I'll talk to him."
Jack thought for a moment. Since Springfield Hot Springs was now under their control, as long as Isabella stayed within his sight, there shouldn't be any trouble. So he agreed.
