Chapter 16
Elizabeth looked at Askhan in confusion. She hadn’t heard about Askhan being married
“Mr. Lavirins, we’ve been living abroad for many years, and we’re not aware of the news in the United States. What’s the connection between my daughter and you?”
„Askhan’s expression remained indifferent as he spoke, “Even if there was a connection, it’s in the past. I’m currently processing a divorce.”
Isolde hadn’t expected that the sincere feelings she had held for years would end up as mere words on his lips
Was she angry? Of course, she was. But more than anger, she felt a chilling sense of realization that she had chosen a monster to cherish
Isolde took out a ring box and forcefully threw it at Askhan. “To hell with you, you scumbag! The biggest regret of my life is being associated with you. We’ll meet at the Civil Affairs Bureau at nine o’clock tomorrow, and anyone who doesn’t show up is a coward?”
The box hit his forehead, making it red, and the ring scattered at his feet. This time, Isolde didn’t even spare a glance at the ring. She stepped on it and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.||
In these last few years, Isolde’s life had been filled with too many hardships. This incident was like the final straw on a camel’s back. She didn’t get far before fainting by the roadside||
She gazed at the continuous drizzle from the sky, feeling as though the world was being hostile to her
She thought that maybe dying like this wouldn’t be so bad.]
In this calculating world, there wasn’t much left for her to hold onto
When she woke up again, she found herself in an unfamiliar room. Warm yellow light banished the darkness, and the room’s heating felt like spring.
“You’re awake.”
Isolde opened her eyes and saw Ryan’s gentle eyes. “Ryan, did you save me?”
“I found you collapsed by the roadside when I returned home from work. So, I brought you here. Since your clothes were soaked, I had my maid get you some dry ones.”
The man had clear and clean eyes, and there was no hint of in decency.
“Thank you, Ryan.-]]
“I’ve made some oxtail soup: you should have some warm water.
Isolde lifted the blanket and got out of bed. “You don’t have to bother, Ryan. I won’t trouble you this late
She was weak, and her feet barely touched the ground before she fell Ryan swiftly caught her, and the scent of the laundry detergent he used surrounded her.
It melled the same as the laundry detergent her family used, the same one Askhan had used.]
Just the thought of Askhan was agonizing.
“You’re too weak right now. If you want to live a little longer, don’t overexert yourself” Ryan gently advised. “Do it for your father’s sake.”
Isolde, with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, replied, “In that case, please help me.
Watching the man bustling around in the kitchen, she realized that she hadn’t had much contact with Ryan. At most, he had been a senior who gave her an award when she was named an outstanding student in her freshman year.
He had already started his internship at a famous hospital when she was in her first year, so their time together had been minimal. They only interacted more when they met at the hospital later on
Their relationship hadn’t been significant enough to justify her troubling Ryan.
After having dinner and taking some medicine for her stomach, she started to feel a little better. Ryan brought up the topic of chemotherapy again. “Medicine has advanced a lot these days. You’re in the late stage, and many cancer patients in a similar stage have survived. You have to believe in yourself. Chemotherapy is an effective treatment.“]
Isolde looked down. “I’ve studied medicine, and I know the benefits and side effects of chemotherapy.”
Ryan continued to persuade her, “Chemotherapy followed by surgery has a high chance of curing it. Although the side effects are strong. If you endure them, you can-
ロー
Isolde slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears. She fought to keep her tears from falling and spoke with trembling lips. “But I can’t endure it anymore-
andure
Ryan’s comforting words got stuck in his throat. He looked into her tearful eyes, feeling somewhat choked up
After a while, he asked, “Clear your mind. Is there no one in this world you care abour?”
She hesitated for a moment and replied, “Only my father.”
“In that case, you s
you should Istay alive for your father’s sake”
Isolde smiled bitterly. “Thank you, Ryan. I feel much better now. I won’t trouble you any longer.”
Ryan noticed that she had lost her wedding ring, but he decided not to mention it.
“Where are you going? I can drive you.”
“No need, I’ve already called a car. It’ll be here soon. She politely refused, and Ryan reluctantly agreed. However, he was concerned that, after Isolde’s emotional outburst, she might be tempted to harm herself. So, he dacreetly followed her car!
When they arrived at the riverside, Isolde was lost in thought gazing at the river. Although the rain had stopped, the air was cold. Ryan wanted to approach her and offer comfort, but a black luxury car pulled up next to her.
The car door opened, and a distinguished man who often graced the cover of financial magazines appeared beneath the streetlight
Ryan was taken aback. Could it be that Isolde’s husband was him?
The wind rustled through Isolde’s hair, making her look even more disheveled. Askhan raised his hand to help tuck astray strand of hair behind her ear, but he quickly restrained himself from doing so.
“Do you have something to say?”
Isolde stared at him coldly, as if she was trying to figure out his true nature]
“the Whitmore family’s bankruptcy related to you?”
Yesᅦ
She asked her second question, “Is the child yours?”
She stared at him without blinking. She wanted to believe that she was just overthinking things, but Askhan had no intention of denying it. He replied calmly, “Yes.“]
Isolde took a couple of steps forward, and then she slapped him hard across the face. “Askhan, you’re a heartless man![]
The man effortlessly caught her wrist, and his hand gently brushed away her tears. “Does it hurt?”
“You scoundrel, why did you do this to me? What did my family ever do to you?”
Askhan’s dark pupils were devoid of any emotions, and his voice was icy. “Isolde, you want answers? Why don’t you ask your dear father what he did?”
She choked up and asked “Askhan, did you ever love me?”
His eyes were as ruthless as ever, and he answered coldly, “No. From the very beginning, you were just a pawn in my hands.
Isolda’s tears fell like a flood, dripping onto his hand, and as the cold wind blew, the warmth vanished.]
“Do you
hate
me?-1
“I do. This is what the Whitmore family owes me, Isolde. Your being the daughter of Anthony means I want you to live in constant fear for the nest of your life, experiencing the pain my sister endured. I won’t tell you the truth; I want you to forever be enveloped in fear, suffering the forment she went through”
“Didn’t she go missing a long time ago? What does she have to do with Whitmore family?”
He looked at her with contempt, as if he was a god from above passing judgment. “Tsolde, while you were enjoying the love and affection of everyone, she was suffering inhuman torture. Take your time to guess, I won’t tell you the truth. I want you to live in perpetual fear, experiencing the same pain she went through!”
Askhan coldly stepped into the car, leaving with these last words, “Tomorrow, nine o’clock, I’ll be waiting for you at the Civil Affairs Bureau.”
Isolde hastily rushed up to the car and hanged on the door relentlessly. “Explain it clearly. What happened to her?”
The car accelerated and quickly left. Isolde, who had lost her support, fell heavily to the ground.
