Chapter 14

Desmond glanced at Francis and asked, "You done?" Francis nodded slightly, his usual teasing expression gone, replaced with a rare seriousness. Somehow, that change made Desmond feel even more uneasy… especially when he looked over at Isabella. She was pale as a sheet, but her eyes were dark and intense. She stared straight at him and said, "Desmond, keep your promise." She was talking about the divorce. The way she looked now reminded him of the day she married him—so happy, eyes shining with joy. Back then, she always smiled like a goof whenever she saw him… and if he caught her looking, she'd panic and try to hide it, like getting caught doing something silly. But after they got married, those smiles became rare. Now, she didn't even feel like someone alive anymore. His chest tightened. Annoyed and unsettled, he called for his assistant and handed over the divorce papers to Isabella. She took them, but her hands weren't steady, the documents trembling as she held them. Francis couldn't take it anymore and reached out, gently taking the papers from her. "Bella, just sign it." She turned to Francis, her eyes red, that pitiful look in her eyes… Desmond watched them and had an urge to pull her into his arms. And he couldn't. Isabella grabbed the pen and signed her name at the designated spot. Then she tossed the pen aside and gave Desmond a faint smile. "Mr. Marson,wishing you and Miss Bennett a picture-perfect life together. And may the adorable children follow soon." His heart lurched at her words. As she turned to leave, he called out and handed her a check. "Here's fifty million as compensation." She didn't take it. "Keep it." Then she walked away. That frail figure looked like it might collapse at any moment, but she was holding herself together with everything she had. Desmond felt like his heart was trailing behind her step by step, sinking deeper. Francis turned to him and muttered, "You're gonna regret this." Desmond shot him a look but said nothing, then walked into Nora's hospital room. She was still out cold, lying there quietly like she was just sleeping. But then those things Isabella said when she was kidnapped flashed through his mind, and his face darkened. Now that Isabella was gone, he could finally dig into the truth. … Isabella stumbled out of the hospital, walking aimlessly along the street. Her hand moved to her belly. Tears spilled out as she whispered in her heart, Baby, see? There are still good people in this world. Even if your dad doesn't want you, there are still people waiting to meet you. Like your mom. And Uncle Francis. She thought back to what had just happened in the operating room. After the anesthesia hit, she drifted off. When she woke up, she completely lost it—until Francis held her down and told her, "Bella, the baby's still there." That finally calmed her down, and sure enough, she could still feel life inside her. She looked at him, confused. Francis said, "It's my fault you ended up like this. If I hadn't slipped up, Nora wouldn't have done this to you." Her eyes widened. She knew he was close to Nora. Why would he say something like that? With a bitter smile, he added, "Don't you want to know where Nora disappeared to for a year?" "She had an abortion…" Isabella murmured, recalling that chat Nora had with that blond guy. Francis nodded. "Yeah. And I'm the one who operated on her." Isabella covered her mouth in shock. "You…" "I was Desmond's friend, and I hid it from him for a whole year. Not exactly noble of me, huh?" Francis gave a dry laugh. "This is me trying to make it right. I'll protect this baby, but you have to leave Eastward City. Desmond can't find out. You know what he's capable of if he does." Of course she knew. Desmond was scary observant. If she didn't keep up the act perfectly, he'd see right through her. That's why she tried so hard just now… to pretend everything was fine.