Chapter 147: She is Restless

Isabella sighed. "It doesn't matter anymore."

Elodie looked confused.

"Elodie, George is really sick."

"You mean, like, in the bedroom sick?" Elodie asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

Isabella frowned.

They stared at each other for a moment before Isabella realized what Elodie meant. "No! He's actually sick. He coughed up blood this morning."

Elodie's eyes widened. "Is he dying?"

"I'm worried he doesn't have much time left," Isabella said, resting her chin in her hand, her face clouded with worry. "I'm really scared for him."

"Don't be dramatic. He's young. He'll be fine with some TLC."

Isabella gave Elodie a dubious look. "Will he?"

"Sure, he will," Elodie said, though her confidence wavered. Even so, strong, resilient George wasn't the type to just keel over. He'd cheated death several times already.

She gave Isabella a hug. "It's probably just a bug. He'll be fine. Don't worry so much."

Isabella hoped she was right. After school, she bought a ton of nutritional supplements and herbs, planning to make George some soup.

Back at the Spencer Manor, she bustled around the kitchen for hours. She tossed handfuls of herbs into a pot, along with expensive sea cucumbers and other supplements.

Isabella knew nothing about herbal remedies. When the dark, murky concoction was finally ready, she took it upstairs to George.

The pungent aroma drifted from the kitchen all the way up to the second-floor bedroom.

John, catching a whiff of the strange odor, followed it to the kitchen. One look at Isabella's brew and he paled, rushing upstairs.

After their earlier fight, being alone with George was still awkward and uncomfortable.

"How are you feeling?" Isabella asked tentatively.

George glanced at her. "Better."

"Did you cough up blood because you were angry with me, or was it because of your old injuries?" Isabella didn't want to be blamed.

"It had nothing to do with you."

"Okay." That eased her guilt.

Isabella offered him the soup. "I spent all afternoon making this. It's packed with nutrients. It'll be good for you."

George wrinkled his nose. It smelled awful, almost toxic.

Isabella held the bowl closer. "Drink it while it's hot."

George took the bowl, looking at her kind, hopeful face. He didn't want to disappoint her, but the stuff looked undrinkable.

"Maybe later?" he suggested.

"It'll get cold. All the good stuff will settle. Drink it now."

George lifted the bowl to his lips. The smell was truly repulsive. "What doctor prescribed this?"

Before Isabella could answer, John burst into the room. "Sir, you can't drink that!"

He rushed to the bedside, snatched the bowl from George's hand, and dumped its contents into a nearby plant pot. "Sir, that stuff could kill you!"

Isabella was furious. Hours of work, down the drain. "John! Why did you do that? Do you know how long I slaved over that soup?"

"Where did you get this recipe?" John demanded. "It's loaded with random supplements. If George drank that, he could be seriously ill."

"It's all healthy stuff! How could it hurt him? You're being ridiculous. I've never heard of anyone dying from taking supplements."

"That's not medicine! It's poison!"

"Fine!" Isabella snapped, tears welling in her eyes. "Everything I do is poison. You're all trying to save him, and I'm trying to kill him. Fine! You take care of him then!"

She ran from the room, sobbing.

John, worried that George would misunderstand, quickly explained. "Isabella bought a bunch of supplements and herbs and made you a… restorative soup."

George thought, So that's what that was. No wonder it smelled so bad. It probably would have made me sick.

"She didn't know any better," he said. "She meant well."

"How could she not know better?" John's tone implied he thought Isabella had done it on purpose.

George shook his head. "She's not a doctor. She wouldn't intentionally hurt me."

"Sir, I hate to say this, but I think she's been acting strangely lately."

John's gossiping made George uncomfortable. "John, you've been with the family for a long time. You're better than this."

John backpedaled nervously. "I'm not gossiping, sir. It's just… I've seen her talking to Adrian by her school. They seemed quite friendly. Laughing, sharing candy… You know what Adrian is like…"

"That's enough, John. You can go."

John, sensing George's displeasure, took the empty bowl and left.

George understood John's concern. One had to be careful. Some people's ambitions were obvious, others were more subtle.

Isabella, feeling increasingly angry and hurt, sat crying in a corner. No matter what she did, it was wrong. She was always hurting George, somehow. Even after having a child with him, they still treated her like an outsider.

She heard a loud voice outside. She didn't need to look to know it was Thalia. "George, darling! I'm here to see you!"

Thalia and Adrian arrived at the Spencer Manor one after the other. While Thalia went to see George, Isabella decided to confront Adrian about the gifts.

"Adrian," she called out, stopping him as he headed upstairs.

Adrian smiled warmly. "I'm here to see George."

"He's doing much better now. I actually wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"

Adrian seemed to anticipate her request and readily agreed. "Let's take a walk in the garden."

"Okay."

The Spencer Manor gardens were magnificent, a sprawling display of elegance and wealth.

"Adrian, why did you give me all those gifts?" Isabella asked, getting straight to the point.

Adrian met her gaze. "Were they upsetting to you?"

"Yes," she admitted.

"Then I apologize. I only wanted to see you happy."

Isabella was confused. "I don't understand what you mean."

"Isabella," he said softly, "I don't have any ulterior motives. You're George's wife, and I'm his cousin. I simply wanted to show you some kindness. Please don't misunderstand."