Chapter 154 Utterly Absurd
Thalia was used to Isabella's strange little remarks. She paid it no mind, just smiled and went back into her office.
Isabella returned to her desk and dove into her work. Thalia had told her not to rush, but she still didn't want to hold the team back. The next two days' tasks were already finished.
Watching her, Thalia remembered something Donny had said once—maybe she didn't know Isabella as well as she thought.
Near closing time, Isabella brought the upcoming designs to her. "Ms. Wesley, I won't be in the office for the next two days. If you need me, just send a message."
Thalia glanced at the calendar. "Why don't you come back Monday instead? That way you get an extra day off. With the weekend, you could stay in your hometown longer. The trip's so far… no need to wear yourself out."
She'd been there once before. The drive back had made her swear she'd never do it again—bad roads, too much time lost. And the first days of construction would be busy. Better for Isabella to stay and handle things.
Isabella's gratitude was immediate. "Thank you, Ms. Wesley."
"Just remember to watch the design videos every day. And if you need help, ask me. Or Donny—he'll help you."
Was she giving Donny a chance? Thalia sighed inwardly. She wasn't sure if that was wise.
Isabella only said, "Thanks!" and meant it.
Thalia smiled. Seeing Isabella back in the field, shaping her creations with that same natural energy reassured her. The talent was still there. More importantly, so was the effort.
Isabella had barely stepped into Sunshine Apartment when her phone rang. She stopped in her tracks. Since William had changed her number, no one had called. Not even him.
She picked it up. The number was familiar. She answered.
"Isabella…" Amara's voice was tired. "Can you come sit with me for a while?"
"Amara? Where are you?"
She remembered—last time they'd met in her hometown, Amara had asked for her new number.
"I'm at the entrance to Riverside Park."
"Have you been drinking?"
The sound of her voice made her uneasy.
Amara laughed softly. "You'll see when you get here."
Maybe it was because they shared something in their past. Isabella could feel her mood sinking.
She didn't waste time. Grabbed her bag, called a car, and headed for the park.
When she got out, she saw Amara sitting on the steps with a bottle in her hand. Empty bottles lay scattered at her feet. She sat hunched, looking small and alone.
Amara had once said she saw herself in Isabella. Back then, Isabella hadn't understood. Now she did.
She'd been that lost before.
Hearing footsteps, Amara lifted her head. The moment she saw Isabella, she stood and wrapped her arms around her.
"You came… I'm glad."
Isabella steadied her, guiding her back to the steps. "What happened? You don't look okay."
Amara sighed and handed her a beer. "Drink with me?"
Isabella nodded and sat beside her. The wind off the river was sharp, cold enough to cut. It slid down their collars, but neither of them moved.
Seeing Amara like this unsettled her. Usually she was all smiles. Tonight felt wrong.
"Can you tell me? I want to know what's going on."
Amara's tears slipped down her cheeks. Isabella's worry spiked.
"Don't cry… just tell me."
Amara tipped back the bottle, drained it, crushed it in her hand, and tossed it down the steps. The sound was sharp in the night.
"I'm getting married."
"Married?" Isabella blinked. The word hung in the air. Before she could ask more, Amara kept going.
"My mom's been having the same dream for two years. In it, my brother comes to her, says he's lonely and needs someone with him. She went to a psychic. The woman told her my brother's soul can't rest. That he needs a special ritual to let go."
Isabella's breath caught. "Your brother was only ten when he died… how could—" She stopped. The whole thing felt unreal.
Amara opened another beer, took a long drink. "Recently a college girl died. The psychic said her birthday matches my brother's soul energy. They could hold a symbolic union for them. But there's a catch—her family wants me to marry their severely disabled son."
Isabella's eyes widened. "That's… people actually do things like that?"
It was insane.
"Amara, that's wrong. You can't agree to it."
Amara's smile was thin. "Of course not. I'm not stupid. I'd rather die than agree."
For the first time, the word made Isabella afraid.
She didn't want anything to happen to Amara. She didn't want to lose her.
But she didn't know how to comfort her. She just sat there, silent.
Amara leaned her head on Isabella's shoulder. "Don't be scared. I just wanted to see you… talk to you. Isabella, tell me—if none of those tragedies had happened, what would our lives be like?"
Isabella looked at the black water of the river. In her mind, she saw her sister's smile.
If none of it had happened, her sister would still be here. They would have been happy.
But there was no if.
Both of them carried the same guilt. They were like lost lambs in a forest, unable to find the way out. Maybe they didn't even want to.
Amara stood, stretching. "Go home, Isabella. I'm fine now."
Isabella rose too, eyes on the tear tracks still on her face. "Are you sure? I can stay."
Amara gave her a small smile. "I should go. My family's waiting to discuss things."
"Will you tell me what happens?"
She didn't answer. Just waved, turned, and walked away.
Isabella watched her disappear into the night, a sudden ache stabbing her chest.
She stayed there for a while before heading back. Her body was cold, but she didn't notice until she was at her door. Her hands were so numb she couldn't press the code.
She rubbed them together until the feeling came back. Finally, she keyed in the numbers.
Warm air rushed out as the door opened. William was by the window.
No wonder it was warm—he was here.
He turned as she stepped in. His eyes caught on her flushed face, his brow tightening. He didn't ask where she'd been. He just walked over and took her hands.
The instant his fingers touched hers, he stopped.
She was cold. Not just cold—empty of heat. Like a statue carved from ice.