Chapter 355 Proposal
Esme swung by to change her clothes and showed up with Quentin in tow.
Elodie bailed 'cause she couldn't stand Isabella.
Nina and Richard were the last ones to roll in, and they dragged Michael along. Isabella figured one more wouldn't hurt, so she told Michael to stick around for dinner. He was down for it.
Dinner was chill, though Isabella seemed a bit spaced out now and then.
Mid-meal, Seb dipped out for a bit.
Outta nowhere, the lights went out with a whoosh.
The place went from buzzing to dead silent in a heartbeat.
Isabella, being the host and all, was about to check the switch, but just as she got up, the lights flickered back on.
The small lamps hidden in the furniture cast a soft glow. Seb walked in, holding flowers and a ring, making his way to Isabella.
Isabella's jaw dropped, her heart racing, already guessing what was coming.
Someone started playing music, and everyone watched, silently rooting for them.
Seb got down on one knee in front of Isabella, looking all serious. "Bella."
Isabella stared at him, tears welling up. She was too choked up to speak.
Seb handed her the flowers and the ring, gently holding her hand. "Bella, sorry for making you wait so long. Will you spend the rest of your life with me? Marry me, be my wife, and I'll always be there for you and Sweetie."
His voice was soft and slow, each word carefully chosen. After he finished, he kissed the back of her hand.
Isabella blinked, feeling her chest swell with emotion.
She nodded, her voice a bit muffled. "I do."
Kelsey was bawling. Miley looked down, tears in her eyes too.
Nina and Esme were the most moved. Margaret couldn't hold back either, quietly dabbing her tears with a tissue.
Seb and Isabella had been through a lot together. The whole Jose family saw it all, and Margaret, being the emotional one, found the scene touching, even though Seb and Isabella already had kids.
Even Esme, usually the rational one, was moved.
Quentin, sitting next to Esme, had a gentle smile, but if you looked closely, his eyes were cold.
Richard suddenly turned to look at him. Quentin didn't meet his gaze, just downed his wine in one gulp.
Richard slowly looked away, a sharp glint in his eyes.
The proposal was formal, and the wedding plans were already in motion.
In the coming days, Isabella had to pick out a wedding dress, and of course, Nina had to be there.
Miley had gone home for a blind date, and Kelsey was always with Jack, so Isabella asked Esme to join her.
At the bridal shop, Esme snapped a ton of photos. In the end, Isabella picked a simple and elegant dress.
Customizing the dress would take time; Seb and Isabella's wedding was set for a month later.
When Isabella changed back into her clothes and came out, she saw Esme on the phone, looking all serious and grim.
By the time Isabella got closer, Esme had already hung up and turned back with a smile. "Bella."
The two plopped down on the sofa. Isabella hesitated before speaking, "I heard from Quentin that you're leaving the day after tomorrow?"
"Yeah." Esme nodded, looking a bit bummed. "But don't worry, I'll be back before your wedding."
Isabella looked at her. "Okay."
Esme's phone rang again. She glanced at it and patted Isabella's hand. "I need to take this call."
As Esme got up, Isabella also stood up and called out, "Mom."
Hearing that, Esme's body stiffened. She slowly turned around, her face already covered in tears.
Isabella walked up and hugged her. "Mom, I forgive you. No matter what, you're still my mother."
Esme couldn't hold back and started crying.
Isabella said, "Quentin told me everything about Lova. I’m willing to forgive you. I hope you and Lova have some good luck, and I hope she gets better soon."
Esme tightly held her hand, her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Bella. Thank you so much. You must be happy, you must!"
Isabella nodded. "Okay."
"What did you say?" Quentin stood up abruptly, his face coldly staring at Esme.
Esme sat on the sofa. "I've made up my mind. Bella is also my daughter, and I don't want to trade her for Lova."
Quentin sneered. "You're giving up on Lova?"
"Quentin!" Esme said sternly, "Lova's illness is incurable. Without those machines, she'd be gone long ago. Look at Lova now, clinging to life in such a state, like a living dead. Do you think this is fair to her? If she woke up and saw herself like this, could she handle it?"
Esme thought, 'My Lova had once been such a sunny, lively girl.'
Esme closed her eyes, feeling both despair and determination. "Quentin, let Lova go!"
"I won't let her go!" Quentin said coldly, "Even if the whole world gives up on her, I won't. Mom, you really disappoint me!"
Esme sighed. "I've already owed Bella too much. Seeing her so happy now, I can't do anything to hurt her anymore."
Quentin stared at her but said nothing more.
Late at night, Isabella heard a cat meowing. She suddenly opened her eyes and turned her head to see a cat crouching on the balcony. It was Cheese.
Cheese's eyes glowed green in the dark, looking super creepy.
Isabella got goosebumps but still walked over and reached out to shoo it away.
The cat suddenly leaped from the windowsill and pounced on Isabella.
Isabella screamed and instinctively backed away, but she was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace.
She turned around and saw Seb, her heart instantly calming.
Seb pulled Isabella into his arms with one hand, while the other hand grabbed a coat and swatted the cat out of the window.
The cat let out a strange cry and fell straight from the second floor.
Isabella, still shaken, broke out in a cold sweat. She turned and burrowed into Seb's arms. "The second-floor windowsill is so high—how did the cat manage to climb up there?"
Seb stroked her back, his voice steady. "It probably climbed up the pipe." He slightly loosened his hold on Isabella. "I'll go check."
Isabella grabbed him. "Don't go." She was really scared.
