Chapter 152: I Don't Believe it

Daniel raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, you win."

George chuckled. "I won't keep you for dinner."

"Like you ever do. Quit the charade." Daniel slung his medical bag over his shoulder. "We should shoot some hoops sometime."

"Nah."

Daniel muttered a curse under his breath.

When Isabella returned from school, George was lounging in the living room, flipping through channels. She paused, surprised.

"Hey, you're back," George said.

Startled by his casual greeting, Isabella asked, "Feeling better?"

"Yeah, come here." George held out his hand. Isabella glanced at it but didn't take it, choosing instead to walk around the sofa and sit across from him.

"You still need to take it easy," she said coolly.

George's hand hung awkwardly in the air for a moment before he lowered it. "I made a dinner reservation. Let's go out."

"Not really hungry. I'd rather eat in."

"We haven't had a proper date night in ages," George persisted, his gaze fixed on her.

Isabella remained unmoved. "I'm tired. I'm going to go upstairs and lie down."

She rose and headed upstairs, radiating an air of rejection. Sensing her low spirits, George followed.

As Isabella reached for the doorknob, George stepped into the bedroom she'd occupied for the past month.

The room was impeccably clean, just as she always kept it. A photo of Frederick sat on the nightstand, and a few small stuffed animals rested against the headboard.

Isabella glanced at him. "What are you doing?"

"I owe you a proper apology."

"For what?"

"For kicking you out of our bedroom." George smiled and pulled her into a gentle hug. "Honey, don't be mad at me, okay?"

Isabella pulled away, her demeanor still cool, and sat on the edge of the bed. "You were sick. I understood."

"Was it because I brushed you off when you were explaining about Adrian's gift? Is that why you're upset?"

Isabella shook her head, meeting his gaze. "George, there are so many unanswered questions. I've done a lot of thinking these past few weeks, a lot of denying. I've even considered divorce."

Tears welled in her eyes at the word. "If you have something to say, just talk to me. Why are you so cold and distant, always ignoring me? You tell me not to overthink, but your actions make me…" Isabella stopped, frustrated with her own emotional outburst. She sniffed, trying to compose herself. "I guess I don't really have the right to blame you, do I?"

"Of course you do," George said, acknowledging his recent behavior. "You're my wife. You have every right to be angry with me."

"I don't want to hear that," Isabella said quietly.

George wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her close despite her attempts to pull away. "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry for neglecting you. It wasn't intentional. With my condition… I couldn't be close to you. If you were next to me, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to control myself."

"That's ridiculous." She didn't buy his explanation.

"I swear, it's the truth."

"I don't believe you." Isabella pushed him away again, keeping her distance.

"What do you want me to do? Tell me, and I'll do it." George's lips brushed against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

"What are you doing?"

"Kissing you," he said simply.

"I don't want you to kiss me." Isabella tried to push him away, but he gently pressed her back onto the bed. "God, I've missed you so much."

Just as their kiss deepened, George's phone rang. He ignored it, switching it off. The ringing stopped, only to be replaced by Isabella's phone.

She glanced at the screen. Caleb.

"It's Caleb. You should answer." She handed him the phone.

George took a deep breath and answered gruffly, "What?"

Caleb, startled by his tone, lowered his voice. "Mr. Spencer, it's about Garrett."

George looked at Isabella, then walked out of the bedroom, phone pressed to his ear. "Go ahead."

"Garrett sent someone to request a meeting with you today."

George scoffed. "Sounds like he wants to cut a deal."

"I'm guessing Clayton's order is too big, and the payout isn't what Garrett expected. He's probably looking to switch sides, or maybe play both."

"He's got a lot of nerve." George licked his lips. "Set up a meeting with him tomorrow at the club."

"Yes, sir."

George had dealt with Garrett a few times before. The man was driven by greed, with no sense of loyalty. Typical pirate.

He stood outside for a moment before returning to the bedroom. Isabella was reading a book.

"Here's your phone." He handed it back.

Isabella took the phone, placing it on the nightstand and returning to her book.

"What are you reading?" George leaned over to look.

Isabella closed the book and looked at him. "It's late. You should get some rest. I'm going to sleep."

"Let's sleep together."

"I don't want to sleep with you. Go back to your room," Isabella hissed.

"Come on, let's sleep together. I'm scared, I can't sleep alone."

"George, you're full of it. Scared? Did Mommy tuck you in before all this?"

"I managed before I had a wife. Now that I do, I want to sleep with her. Come on."

He pulled her into his arms, and soon their lips met, silencing her protests.

The time apart had only intensified their desire, and their lovemaking was passionate.

Later, as they lay entwined, Isabella, her body aching pleasantly, asked, "George, can you please try to control your temper?"

"Sure," he agreed readily.

"How?"

"Whatever you want."

Isabella pushed him playfully. "Be serious."

"Round two?" He glanced at the clock. "Might have to wait a little while."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Can you please just answer my question?"

"I'll change. Anything that bothers you, I'll change." He nuzzled her neck. "Okay?"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

Though some unease lingered, Isabella was willing to give it another shot. Marriage was about compromise, after all. Maybe, through compromise, they could both learn and grow.