Chapter 14 It's Okay, I Hate You Too
"How's that possible?" Tobias blurted out, unable to hide his shock.
Isabella had taken the lunch box from Cleo. Wasn't she supposed to bring it to him?
"What did you think?" Isabella tilted her chin, motioning towards the staircase. "Cleo's here, ask her."
Tobias spun around to face Cleo. "What's going on?"
Cleo hurried up the stairs, realizing she might have caused a mess. When Tobias mentioned Isabella had eaten his lunch, she was surprised. But the more she thought about it, the more it didn't add up.
Isabella usually respected her brothers a lot; why would she pull a stunt like this?
After some discreet snooping, Cleo learned about the dinner table drama from the night before. She hadn't expected things to get so tense between Isabella and Tobias overnight.
"Mr. Tobias Taylor, I'm really sorry, this is all my fault." Cleo wiped the sweat from her forehead, looking awkward. "I ran into Ms. Taylor at the hospital entrance and asked her to bring the lunch to you. I was rushing to get to the market and assumed she was there to see you, so I didn't ask..."
She had thought Isabella was at the hospital to patch things up with Tobias, but now it seemed Isabella had other reasons for being there.
Isabella stood leaning against the door, one leg slightly bent. "Cleo was in such a rush that I didn't have time to react before she was gone."
Cleo nodded repeatedly. "Yes, I misunderstood Ms. Taylor's intentions, causing this whole mess..."
Tobias's face darkened. It seemed Isabella had been telling the truth.
Isabella hadn't gone to the hospital for him, nor had she intended to see him or personally bring him lunch.
"Why were you at the hospital?" he asked.
"A friend was hurt and hospitalized. I was with them."
Tobias frowned. "Which friend?"
He hadn't seen Isabella hang out with anyone around here. Since coming back to the Taylor family, she barely knew anyone and rarely went out, mostly sticking around her brothers.
Isabella repeated her earlier statement, "What's it to you?"
Tobias had no comeback. He looked at Isabella's indifferent expression, feeling a rush of blood to his face, unsure if it was from anger or shame. His lips moved slightly, and his voice was hoarse. "Isabella, why have you changed so much?"
She used to be warm and caring, but now she was cold and distant, even eating his lunch.
"What have I changed into?" Isabella's face was icy. "Just because I don't cater to you anymore, you think I've changed?"
Tobias was taken aback by her words. Since coming home, Isabella had always been compliant, but now she was suddenly so rebellious...
"Do you think acting like this will get everyone's attention off Bianca?" Tobias thought he understood now and found her childish. "This will only make people dislike you more."
"That's fine, I dislike you all too."
With that, Isabella slammed the door shut.
Tobias stood there, stunned.
---
Gabriel had just returned and saw Tobias coming downstairs with a grim expression.
"Tobias? What's up?"
"Nothing." Tobias thought about Isabella's rebellious behavior, feeling a headache coming on.
He glanced at the items Gabriel was carrying, noticing the logo of a well-known women's clothing brand.
"Why'd you buy that?"
"It's for Isabella," Gabriel said, his face cold.
Tobias raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "You bought her clothes?"
"Not willingly!" Gabriel frowned, clearly irritated. "Bianca insisted I buy something for Isabella while we were shopping this afternoon."
"I figured I'd just get it over with, but when I got back, I found out the store clerk accidentally cut the tag and damaged the clothes. Now Isabella insists I did it on purpose!"
Gabriel snorted. "Bianca told me to buy a new one and explain to Isabella, so I had no choice."
He didn't believe Isabella wouldn't be happy once she saw the new clothes.
Gabriel, fuming, stomped upstairs and knocked on Isabella's door.
"Isabella, come out! I have something for you!"
Isabella had just sent Tobias away and was about to lie down when she heard the knocking again, feeling annoyed. "What now?"
Why weren't they all fussing over Bianca and kept bothering her instead?
Gabriel pounded on the door. "Isabella, I checked with the store. The clothes were accidentally damaged by the clerk. I bought you a new one! Don't blame me. I wouldn't do that!"
Isabella opened the door, and Gabriel almost stumbled inside. Seeing her face, his expression darkened even more. "I bought you a new one, and it's more expensive than the last."
"Here."
Gabriel shoved the shopping bag towards her.
Isabella raised her hand and knocked the bag away. "Take it away. I don't want it."
Gabriel was stunned, looking bewildered.
What?
She didn't want it?
"I picked this out for you!"
Isabella looked at him indifferently. "I don't want it. Give it to Bianca."
"What are you doing?" Gabriel was getting angry. "Are you still mad? I told you it was an accident."
Isabella didn't respond.
Gabriel stared at her, thinking she was just still angry. He shoved the bag into her arms. "I bought you a new one. Don't be mad..."
Before he could finish, Isabella threw the clothes and the bag to the ground, frowning. "Who wants to wear something you bought? Who knows what you did to it? I don't want to get a rash!"
Gabriel looked at the clothes on the ground, stunned.
Before he could react, Isabella had already stormed downstairs in her slippers.
Gabriel's eyes reddened with anger.
Isabella really didn't want it.
And she said such hurtful things!
He had spent over an hour picking out the clothes, and Isabella didn't even look at them, instead yelling at him.
Gabriel had never been treated like this before.