Chapter 608 I Am Only Good to You
"Isabella, how could you do this?" Ethan demanded the moment Ashley and Yaakov left to purchase toiletries for Isabella, leaving them alone in the hospital room.
Isabella's eyes flickered with momentary panic before she composed herself. "Your Highness, I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Don't play innocent with me," Ethan said, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "I've uncovered everything. The person who transferred money to Elora was your supposedly deceased boyfriend, Robbie. Ashley considers you her closest friend and genuinely cares for you. How could you betray her like this?"
Terror flashed across Isabella's face, confirming Ethan's suspicions.
"Speak up!" he commanded. "Why did you deliberately get close to her? What's your ultimate goal?"
Isabella opened her mouth, hesitating before saying, "Your Highness, I don't have any ulterior motives. I wanted to ask about last night..."
"I'm discussing your scheme against Ashley. Why are you bringing up last night? What are you implying?"
Isabella stared at him in disbelief. The man who had taken her virginity was now defending his wife without a second thought for her feelings. She lowered her head, fighting back tears.
"Let me analyze what happened," Ethan continued coldly. "You deliberately befriended Ashley because only through her could you get close to me?"
Though his words sounded self-centered, he had correctly guessed her initial motivation.
"You conspired with Elora to drive a wedge between Ashley and me, hoping to take her place. But your plan backfired when you ended up sleeping with Atticus instead." Ethan's laugh was devoid of humor. "You brought this on yourself. You deserve everything that's happened."
Isabella's face flushed with humiliation. She dug her nails into her palms and asked tentatively, "Your Highness, do you remember what happened between us last night?"
"Of course I remember! I'll never forget it as long as I live!"
Every time he looked at her now, he felt nothing but disgust. He was grateful that he had been with Ashley last night—the consequences would have been unthinkable otherwise. How could Isabella be so wicked as to try to destroy someone else's marriage?
"And you... have nothing else to say to me?" Isabella asked, a hint of desperate hope in her voice.
She was waiting for an apology, an acknowledgment, any recognition of their intimacy. Instead, Ethan's response crushed whatever hope remained.
"Actually, I do. I suggest you leave the country tonight as planned. Stay away from Ashley. If you continue your manipulative behavior toward her, I won't hesitate to take action against you, regardless of how it might affect her."
Ethan maintained his composure only because he wanted to shield Ashley from the painful truth of her friend's betrayal. The thought of Ashley being hurt made his heart ache.
Isabella stared at him for a long moment, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger while his reflected nothing but contempt and disgust. Finally, she looked away, defeated.
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice breaking. "I'll fly to Aivalia tonight. Where you two are, I won't be. I won't disturb you and Ashley anymore."
"I hope you keep your word."
Isabella had no response. They had been having entirely different conversations.
Isabella believed she and Ethan had been intimate.
Ethan believed she had schemed against Ashley and wanted her gone.
Meanwhile, Isabella thought Ethan was sending her away to prevent Ashley from discovering their affair and getting hurt—but what about her pain? Didn't her feelings matter?
Resentment bubbled within her as the room fell into tense silence.
"Ethan, Isabella, we're back!" Ashley announced cheerfully as she and Yaakov returned with shopping bags.
Ethan wheeled himself over and took Ashley's hand, noticing the red marks where the plastic bags had dug into her skin. His face softened with concern. "Yaakov, weren't you supposed to be helping? Look at Ashley's hands—they're all marked up."
"I was carrying three bags myself!" Yaakov protested. "Both my hands were full. What did you expect me to do, carry bags with my feet?"
"You could try," Ethan replied with mock seriousness. "You might surprise yourself."
"And walk how exactly?"
Ethan gave him a withering look. "That's your problem, not mine."
Yaakov shook his head in bewilderment.
Ethan gently blew on Ashley's reddened hands. "Darling, does it still hurt?"
Ashley smiled and shook her head. "Not really."
Though she was telling the truth, Ethan continued to fuss over her.
Ashley turned to Isabella. "I bought you some essentials. Let me know if you need anything else, and we can get it for you."
Isabella watched their tender interaction with a growing knot in her stomach. "Ashley, I'm feeling tired. I think I need to rest."
Her tone was noticeably distant.
Ashley picked up on the change immediately but didn't press the issue. "Of course. Get some rest. We'll visit you again tomorrow."
Isabella nodded. "Thank you."
After they left the hospital room, Ashley pushed Ethan's wheelchair as they waited for their car, having just said goodbye to Yaakov.
"Ethan, Isabella seems upset. Should we try to cheer her up somehow?"
"Her mood isn't my concern. I don't see why I should have to make her feel better."
Ashley snorted. "So if I'm upset, you wouldn't comfort me either?"
"Don't be ridiculous," he said, taking her hand. "You're my wife. Of course I care about your feelings. I'd comfort you even if you weren't upset. I'd never let anything make you unhappy in the first place. You're the only one I care about."
Ashley's lips curved into a smile. "You always know just what to say."
Ethan tenderly held her injured hand, blowing gently on the red marks. "The car's here. I've had ice packs prepared to help with the swelling."
"Thank you."
Hand in hand, they entered the luxury vehicle, completely unaware of Vivienne watching them from a distance, hatred burning in her eyes.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She hurried to a secluded corner to answer it, her expression turning anxious as a familiar voice came through, "Did you get what we need from His Highness Prince Totti?"
Vivienne's lips curled into a cold smile. "I have the key."
"But," she continued, "I still don't know where the safe is located. Give me a little more time. I'll find it soon."
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