Chapter 5
Isabelle gazed at him with a steady look. “Didn’t you leave last night? Leonard, I didn’t mention anything about visiting the graves. How did you know I’d come here?”
Leonard reached out to hold her hand. “I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, and I saw you in the bathroom. So, I went to the hospital alone. When I
came
back this morning, I overheard Anora saying she wanted to go with you, so I decided to follow.”
It was a near–perfect fabrication.
She simply hummed in response, not saying anything else.
When they reached the cemetery and saw the two tombstones side by side, Isabelle felt a deep sadness fill her heart.
The people who had loved her most in this world were now gone.
Noticing the tears in her eyes, Anora came over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Bella, even though your parents are no longer with us, you still have Leonard. He’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. Your baby is coming soon, and you’ll start a new family.”
She said this, with unwavering confidence, as if she were certain that Leonard and Isabelle’s marriage would last forever.
Once she finished, Leonard quickly agreed.
“Yes, I’ll take care of you and the baby, don’t worry.”
At his words, Isabelle only felt a sharp sense of irony.
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His promise to care for her was not out of love or obligation. It was for another woman and his own selfish desires that he could never reveal.
Isabelle swallowed down the emotions rising within her and looked up at her parents‘ photo.
“Yes, I will definitely have a new family.”
But it has nothing to do with Leonard anymore.
Once they finished visiting the grave, a light rain began to fall.
Anora and Isabelle sat in the back seat while Leonard drove.
The atmosphere in the car felt heavy, so Anora decided to break the silence. “I heard a new Italian restaurant is opening in Houston. How about we check it out for lunch?”
Leonard quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. “I heard the owner is Italian, and his food is said to be very authentic.”
“Really? The pizza I had in Paris…”
The two of them continued chatting, moving from Italian food to Europe, then to the stories and moments they’d gathered over these past days.
No matter what one of them said, the other would smoothly continue the conversation, never letting the mood drop.
Their connection was so seamless, it was as if they had been together for years, able to talk about anything just like an old couple.
As this thought crossed her mind, Isabelle couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
They really had been together for so long, sharing places, doing things for each other, and knowing each other so well.
It was something she, the substitute, could never hope to match.
Upon reaching the restaurant, Leonard gave the menu to Anora, just like always.
She took it, about to open it, when she suddenly remembered something and passed it to Isabelle.
“Pregnant women have many restrictions. Bella, why don’t you choose the dishes?”
Isabelle casually picked up a few dishes, but when they were brought to the table, Leonard’s face showed concern.
These dishes aren’t suitable for you. Don’t you remember what the doctor
said?”
Anora also glanced at her stomach, looking a bit confused. “Bella, aren’t you four months pregnant? Your stomach doesn’t seem to match that.”
Leonard quickly got up to check but accidentally bumped into the waiter who was bringing the food.
The food cart tipped over, and everything spilled out.
He instinctively shielded Anora, protecting her from the soup and cold.
dishes.
Unfortunately, Isabelle wasn’t as lucky.
The hot soup splashed onto her legs, instantly causing blisters to form.
Her face twisted in pain as cold sweat dripped down her forehead.
The intense heat made her grip the tablecloth tightly, and she watched as Leonard rushed off, carrying Anora.
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In an instant, Isabelle felt a deep sense of dread wash over her.
The room was in chaos, and the waiter quickly escorted her to a safer
spot.
As she stepped outside, she saw Anora and Leonard engaged in a heated
argument.
“I told you, I’m fine. You should go back and look after Bella!”
“Your hands are badly burned. Why are you pretending it’s nothing? Let me take you to the hospital first, and then I’ll return for her. Anora, why do you have to be so stubborn? You were so worried about me earlier, afraid I might get burned. You’ve always loved me, haven’t you?”
“What difference does it make? Why does it matter? Leonard, we’ve already broken up! You married Bella, and she’s carrying your baby!”
At hearing Anora’s anguished words, Leonard’s eyes welled up with tears.
“You know perfectly well. In my heart, she has never been as important as you!”
Anora froze for a moment. Just as she was about to reply, she noticed Isabelle standing at the door.
Her eyes widened in shock, and panic flooded her voice as she spoke.
“Bella, why did you come out?”
