Chapter 246: No Matter How Similar, You're Not Her
Laura seemed like an intruder in this dinner gathering, yet she haddeliberately insertedherselfinto the gathering, pressing close against William to project an illusion of intimacy
"Add a filet mignon for me, no wine—just orange juice."
It was anunusual combination. Few people at a steakhouse ordered like that. At the very least, most would opt for a palate-cleansing sweet wine or champagne.
Isabella gripped her glass, suddenlyrealizing that even her favorite orange juice had lost all flavor.
Was Laura intentionally imitating her?
The moment that thought formed, Isabella felt a wave of nausea.
She wasn't narcissistic enough to think her romantic rival might actually be obsessed with her.
But they were eating exactly the same meal.
A moment later, Laura noticed that Isabella was the only one eating the salad on the table. She waved over a server and ordered one for herself as well.
The imitation became increasingly obvious.
Isabella at this moment was like a thorn-covered red rose.
Their natures werecompletelydifferent.
The more clumsily Laura tried to mimic her, the moreridiculous and forced she appeared.
"Mrs. Montagu took me to look at engagement rings today, but I don't know what style you prefer. They said if possible, they'd hope you could take me along next time."
Laura seemed to beseeking William's opinion, yet her posture was infinitely submissive.
She thought she was showing off, but to Isabella's eyes, she only looked pitiful.
A top university graduate, abandoning her dignity just to grovel for William's love.
How could that not be pitiful?
William impatiently pushed Laura aside. "There are other people watching. Keep your distance."
Laura immediately clung back to him, as if she couldn't bear to be separated from William for even two hours.
"Mrs. Montagu said the best phase in a relationship is when couples are inseparable. She and Mr. Montagu were exactly like this back in the day. We're just like them."
This was a feeling Isabella had never experienced, but from her perspective, it clearly looked like Laura was the only one being clinging.
William was like a lifeless statue—cold and silent.
"If you want to perform being inseparable in front of others, at leastbe aware of your surroundings first."
In a restaurant like this, whether empty or crowded, people rarely displayed such behavior.
She acted as if she wanted to become part of William, physically attaching herself to his body.
Isabella felt disgusted as well. She turned to look at the shoreline below.
Street lamps along both sides of the road cast their glow onto the sand, illuminating couples enjoying the romantic evening scenery.
Isabella wasn't moved by the sight, only envious of their freedom.
Unlike her, trapped in this so-called family dinner.
With her attention diverted, the churning in her stomach finallybegan to settle. Isabella didn't feel quite so nauseous anymore.
But Laura refused to leave her alone. Though she'd moved her chair away, her voice still rang in Isabella's ears.
"Where do you think we should go for our honeymoon? Actually, I prefer keeping it low-key—just traveling around domestically would be fine. But Mrs. Montagu absolutely insists we go abroad. She practically wants us to do a world tour. Isn't that a bit too extravagant?"
Isabella had no interest inlistening to their pre-wedding plans. She gently set down her knife and fork, resting her chin in her hand as she waited for Olivia to finish eating.
But William keenly noticed the shift in Isabella's expression. He strode over and knelt on one knee directly in front of her.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Should we go to the hospital?"
Such a devout and earnest posture—Isabella hadn't seen it even before going into labor with the twins.
Yet now, witnessed by Laura, she was seeing William so concerned.
The churning in Isabella's stomach intensified. The closer William came, the more nauseous she felt. She simply pushed his shoulder.
William stumbled, nearly falling over.
For a CEO of a publicly traded company, he looked rather pathetic.
Laurawatched silently, then reached out to help William up.
But before her hand could touch him, he stepped aside.
"As long as you can forgive me, you can do whatever you want."
It sounded indulgent, yet Isabella heard something demanding beneath his words.
What gave him the confidence to think Isabella would want his indulgence?
She let out a soft, mocking laugh, looking at William with clear disdain. "Stop frightening people with your fake devotion. After six years together, don't you think I know exactly what kind of person you are?"
Those six years had been torturous for Isabella. Beyond caring for the children, she'd had to carefully cater to her husband according to Sophia's demands.
William as her husband? Isabella felt more like she'd been a live-in caretaker.
Her greatest value to the Montagu family was bearing and raising their children.
An unpaid nanny at that.
"Olivia, let's go." Isabella finally reached her limit. She lifted Olivia from the high chair and turned to leave.
William tried to follow, but Laura held him back, clutching his armdesperately.
"I finally found you. Please don't leave, okay?"
"Whatever kind of woman you like, I can change for you. Isabella likes steak with orange juice, right? Then I'll do the same. Whatever clothes she likes, I'll wear. As long as you're willing to look at me even once—William, can't you feel how much I love you?"
To win back William's love, Laurahad completely humbled herself to the dust. Even speaking these words made her feel unlike herself.
Everything she worked so desperately for was a man others wouldn't even spare a second glance at.
William was accomplished enough, wealthy enough—for Laura, he was an ideal match she couldn't let slip away.
She had to seize this opportunity.
"William, Mrs. Montagu already likes me so much. I'm begging you, just look at me once. I won't disappoint you. If you like her appearance, I'm willing to get surgery to look exactly like that."
To keep William, Laura had become nearlyunhinged.
But all herfrantic efforts only seemed laughable now.
William wanted only Isabella's forgiveness, yetit was the one thing he could never obtain.
He finally sat down, looking at Laura seriously. His gaze held scrutiny, but more than that, helplessness.
"No matter how similar you are, you're not her, Laura. After you leave me, you'll still live a good life."
William picked up Nathan and strode away in long strides, leaving Laura alone to stand frozen in despair.