Chapter 11
The years that followed felt like emerging from a suffocating tunnel into sunlight. [
Isolde threw herself into expanding AskIQ globally.
Then at a San Francisco charity gala, she saw him again.
Askhan Lavirins stood by the auction podium–commanding yet gentle, exactly as she remembered from childhood.
She’d harbored a secret crush that felt as vast and hopeless as the Pacific Ocean]
“Isolde?” His eyes lit with recognition that bloomed into something warmer. “You’re not that shy little girl anymore.”
“And you’re still stunning at charity events,” she replied, surprised by her own boldness ||
He pursued her with thoughtful gestures, understanding her scars without explanation. For the first time since Alarie’s betrayal, Isolde dared to hope love wasn’t just weakness.]
They married as expected.
For two blissful years, Isolde believed she had finally found her happily ever after.
Then everything collapsed
Executive embezzlement and a data breach destroyed AskIQ.
Almost meanwhile, her father suffered a severe stroke leaving him fighting for his life in intensive care.
“Tve got you,” Askhan whispered during the worst nights. “We’ll get through this.”
For over a year, he remained devoted through hospital visits and bankruptcy proceedings.l
Until Askhan’s first love Nora returned to America.
She transformed her tender husband into a polite stranger
“You seem distracted lately, Isolde ventured one evening
“Just work stress,” he replied, not meeting her eyes.]
The stress of losing both her company and her marriage manifested in persistent stomach pain that Isolde initially attributed to anxiety.
But as Askhan grew distant and her father’s condition ductuated, the symptoms worsened–fatigue, weight loss, relentless pain.]
Finally she forced herself to see a doctor, the diagnosis hit like a physical blow]
Q
Cupsr 11
