Chapter 365 Informing
"Hey, excuse me!" Outta nowhere, this dude in a mask barged through.
He slid right between Isabella and Quentin, like he owned the place.
That split second snapped Isabella back to reality. It was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water on her, sending shivers down her spine.
"You good?" Quentin's voice broke through her daze.
Isabella shook her head, still trying to piece together what just happened.
She glanced up, but the masked guy was already gone, vanished down the empty hallway. Weirdly enough, his voice rang a bell.
"Isabella?" Quentin's hand landed gently on her shoulder.
She turned to face him, but every time she locked eyes with Quentin, panic bubbled up inside her. Being close to him made her feel all kinds of uneasy.
Isabella stood up, took a couple steps back, and left the chair. "I'm fine."
After a beat, she asked, "What were you saying about Lova?"
Her memory was fuzzy. She remembered everything before, but Quentin's last words were a blur.
Quentin chuckled, "So you were zoning out while I was talking?"
Isabella felt a bit embarrassed. Was she really spacing out?
The ward door creaked open, and Esme stepped out.
"Mom," Isabella called. Esme quickly put a finger to her lips, signaling for silence. She gently closed the door, walked over, and pulled Isabella away.
Esme's eyes flicked to the flowers and fruit basket. "Bella, take these back. Elodie's a mess right now. This stuff might just set her off more."
Esme's tone was all about protecting Elodie, and she was clearly out of patience.
Isabella got it. She didn't want to argue over this. "Does Elodie know yet?"
Pain flashed in Esme's eyes. "We're still keeping it from her. But she’ll find out soon enough."
"I know Nina. She wouldn't hurt Elodie on purpose." Isabella was worried the Black Family would go after Nina. "We can try to make it up to Elodie. As for the Black Family..."
Esme cut her off. "Bella, did you come here just to plead for Nina?"
Isabella was taken aback.
"Elodie's life is wrecked; her future's gone. Nina's your sister, but so is Elodie." Esme shook her head, tears brimming. "Bella, you really let me down."
Isabella felt like she'd been punched in the gut.
She tried to speak, but Esme looked away, leaving her speechless.
Quentin stepped in. "I don't think Bella meant it like that. She brought the fruit and flowers, so let's just keep them. It's her way of showing she cares. I'll take them in. Elodie won't say anything."
Elodie was scared of Quentin, so if he brought the stuff in, she wouldn't complain.
"Fine, you handle it," Esme said, heading back to the ward.
She didn't look at Isabella again, her disappointment clear.
"Elodie's going through hell; Mom's just not handling it well. She didn't mean to snap at you, Isabella. Don't take it to heart," Quentin said.
Isabella forced a bitter smile. "How can I not take it to heart?"
They were both Esme's daughters, but Esme's favoritism towards Elodie was more than a little.
"I gotta go. If there's any news about Elodie, let me know, Mr. Black." Isabella nodded to Quentin and turned to leave.
Quentin watched her go, then furrowed his brows and pushed open the ward door.
"Quentin, did you get me fruit?" Elodie started, but then she recognized the flowers and fruit basket as Isabella's.
Her face fell. "Quentin, whose side are you on? I said I don't want her stuff. Why'd you bring this junk back?"
Quentin set the fruit basket and flowers on the table and turned to her. "Elodie, like it or not, Isabella is still Mom's kid. She's your sister too."
Elodie pouted but didn't argue.
Quentin walked to the foot of the bed, stood still, and stared at Elodie. "Let me ask you, do you love Richard?"
Elodie was stunned, not getting why the topic changed.
Esme, sitting nearby, seemed to sense something, her eyes flickering.
Quentin said, "Answer my question."
Elodie said, "Of course, I love him. Everyone knows I love Richard. I don't know what kind of spell Nina cast on him, making him so infatuated. Just wait, once I'm better, I'll go find her again!"
"You can't go find her anymore," Quentin replied.
Elodie was bewildered. "Why?"
Quentin's gaze fell on Elodie's legs. "Elodie, let me ask you one thing. If getting Richard meant you had to pay with your life, would you do it?"
"I would!" Elodie answered without hesitation, "As long as Richard marries me, I wouldn't mind dying right away."
Quentin nodded. "Now there's an opportunity in front of you. If you seize it, Richard will be yours."
"What opportunity?" Elodie was confused. "Quentin, what are you talking about? Is someone really going to take my life?"
"No one wants your life." Quentin walked around the foot of the bed and approached Elodie. "Elodie, I need to tell you something. Be prepared."
"Quentin!" Esme stood up, her eyes restrained and pained. "Give her some time. Don't tell her right away; it's too ruthless!"
Quentin met Esme's gaze calmly. "Mom, she has to know sooner or later. Whether she goes crazy today or tomorrow, it's just a matter of time. Besides, I believe she can handle it!"
"Quentin." Esme felt powerless.
Esme knew the situation was irreversible and she could do nothing about it.
Elodie looked at Esme and Quentin, not understanding their conversation, and felt anxious. Elodie asked, "What do you mean by going crazy today or tomorrow? What do I need to know? Mom, Quentin, what are you talking about?"
Quentin said, "Elodie. Listen to me carefully. The doctor said you hurt your spine. You might never get out of bed again."
As the words fell, Esme sat down on a chair, silently shedding tears.
Elodie was stunned for a long time before reacting."Quentin, what nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean I might never get out of bed again? Are you implying that I am paralyzed?"
Elodie was just speaking casually, but Quentin nodded lightly in response.
Elodie was struck as if by lightning, standing there in shock.
