Chapter 13
"Isabella, so here you are."
The painfully familiar voice pulled Isabella back to reality.
She turned around and saw Chris supporting Leila as they slowly made their way through the crowd toward her.
Isabella didn't want to talk to this person, so she tried to leave, but her path was blocked.
"Long time no see, you've become even more charming." Chris looked at Isabella standing in the moonlight, her champagne-colored dress outlining her graceful figure, the sapphire bracelet sparkling on her wrist. At this moment, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
That's why he rushed over, wanting to have a good talk with Isabella, to see if she might come back to him.
Yes, he was being damn greedy, wanting to have sex with this woman.
He didn't understand why, after dating Isabella for three years, he couldn't bring himself to touch her. God, he must have been confused not to touch her—she was clearly so charming, so intoxicating.
"Chris, I don't think we have anything to talk about. You should pay more attention to your wife." Isabella held back her discomfort and looked calmly at the man in front of her.
Leila spun around lightly, her pregnant belly particularly noticeable under her pearl-studded dress. "Chris always says pregnant women are the most beautiful, so he wanted me to come show you."
She smiled sweetly, leaning on Chris's shoulder, showing off to Isabella. "Right, honey?"
Chris nodded absentmindedly, his eyes glued to Isabella.
In the moonlight, his ex-girlfriend was truly breathtakingly beautiful. After Leila got pregnant, he had lost a lot of interest, and gradually realized that Leila really couldn't compare to Isabella. If properly developed, Isabella would be the most beautiful seductress.
Damn it, he really regretted not training Isabella properly.
Leila noticed Chris's strange behavior. She felt very uncomfortable, but she couldn't let them rekindle their old flame. She had to keep the child's father for the sake of the baby.
"Remember when we first got together, you always said you were busy." Leila deliberately played with the diamond necklace around her neck. "But you still came home on time every day, even turning down a lot of work for me."
"Chris, you'll be a good father, right?"
Chris finally snapped back, touching her belly and saying with a smile, "Of course, honey, I'll definitely be a good father."
Isabella gripped her wine glass tightly. She really wanted to throw up. The necklace around Leila's neck was the style she had browsed countless jewelry stores with Chris for, but he had never been willing to buy it for her.
She had once told Chris the same thing—that he would be a good father—but back then Chris had just laughed at her for overthinking.
God, she suddenly felt grateful that her past self hadn't made a fuss and had sex with Chris.
Leila saw Isabella's pale face and continued, "The most touching thing is that Chris specially cleared his entire month's schedule to be with me for the delivery. I know he used to be unwilling to even accompany you to the hospital for a cold."
"Don't be angry, Isabella. I think we're true love. You should bless us, shouldn't you?"
These words were like a dagger, precisely stabbing into Isabella's heart.
She remembered that rainy night when she had a high fever, but Chris left her alone at the hospital because of a card game.
"Sorry." Isabella's voice trembled. She lowered her head, trying to hide her tears. "I need to use the restroom."
In the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her cheeks, trying to calm her surging emotions.
In the mirror, she was wearing the dress Vitale gave her, wearing the bracelet Vitale gave her, yet she was still hurt by shadows from the past. She should have given herself to Vitale last night.
That way, at least she would have his presence inside her body, and wouldn't be tormented by Chris and them.
Just as she was thinking this, the door suddenly burst open. Chris slipped in and locked the door behind him.
"Chris, this is the women's restroom! Get out!" Isabella said coldly.
"Listen to me." Chris grabbed her wrist and said affectionately, "I regret it, Isabella. Please come back to me, let me love you, even as a mistress."
"Mistress?" Isabella repeated in disbelief. "What about Leila? What about your child?"
"That was just an accident." Chris explained urgently. "She took advantage of me when I was drunk and had sex with me. You know the person I've always loved is you. We can love each other like before, even have sex."
"Like before?" Isabella laughed mockingly and yanked her hand back. "Like before, being at your beck and call when you need me? Being abandoned in the rain when you don't, is that it?"
"Chris, I don't want to endure your control and cold violence like before anymore. And I won't have sex with you—you're not worthy."
"That poor woman Leila thinks she found true love, but she doesn't know you're trying to get back together with me right in front of her. She's so stupid."
Chris's expression suddenly twisted. "I know you had sex with some man. I don't mind. He's definitely not serious, just playing around. I'm the one who's really..."
"At least he won't deceive me!" Isabella's voice was tearful as she interrupted him. "He won't say he loves me while sleeping with another woman."
Leila's voice came from outside the door. Chris frantically straightened his tie. "Think about it carefully, Isabella. Being some other man's plaything, or coming back to me?"
Isabella turned her face away, her stomach churning. Every time she saw this face she once loved deeply, it made her think of that defiled marriage bed, think of his body entwined with Leila's.
"We have nothing to talk about. Please take care of your wife. I need to find Sonia."
Chris wouldn't let her go. "Don't be like this. I just want to talk to you."
"I don't want to!" Isabella tried to break free but was slammed hard against the wall.
Sharp pain shot through her back, instantly awakening those forgotten memories.
Over these three years, Chris had always shown his rough side when they were alone.
Leila was getting anxious and started knocking on the door.
"Listen." Chris lowered his voice, warning Isabella. "If you dare say anything in front of Leila, I'll make you regret showing up here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open. Torian rushed in and protected Isabella behind him. "Miss, do you need help?"
Chris was intimidated by Torian's presence and unconsciously took a step back.
Sonia came running at the sound and shouted at the confrontation, "Oh my God, Chris, are you trying to force her again?"
"I didn't. Isabella and I haven't seen each other in a long time. I was just saying hello." Chris tried to stay calm.
Torian's muscular arms crossed over his chest. "Then say hello to me. I have plenty of time."
"You must be Isabella's man, right? Did you make her come?" Chris asked with some jealousy.
Sonia warned Chris, "If my father knew you were treating Isabella like this, he'd be angry. You should get out right now."
Colt also warned quietly, "Don't mess with Isabella. She has someone protecting her now."