By mid-afternoon, Isabelle found herself walking back through the gates, though she hardly knew what for. Perhaps it was because she suddenly recalled that she had to cook Ryan’s meal and that even if her world was ending, her son still needed her. But before she even stepped into the house, sounds of laughter floated into her ears.It was Ryan’s laughter.Isabelle’s steps faltered. For a moment she stood there, her fingers tight against the handle of the door. The doctor had said Ryan would be discharged by afternoon. Gregory must have gone to fetch him.At this point, Isabelle felt like turning around and going back the way she came. She really did not have the strength or will to face either Gregory or Ryan in there. But in the end, she told herself she had nothing to fear. After all, she was not the one in the wrong.When she finally pushed the door open, however, the scene that greeted her made her pause.Gregory was sitting on the couch facing the door and flipping through files
The pan crashed onto the floral carpet with a loud thud. The adulterous pair froze and turned to look at her, tangled with the blanket and sweat, their eyes darting to the doorway. Their faces immediately went ashen seeing her standing there.Isabelle clamped a her hand over her mouth, trembling as if her very bones had turned to ice. She could not mutter a single word and her gaze kept flickering from one face to the other. She had seen and sensed the signs. It was very obvious, wasn’t it? But she had no idea why she had thought he just couldn’t keep boundaries with his ex and really wouldn’t cheat on her.It was a very silly thought she had.Gregory was the first to react. He scrambled off the bed, dragging a sheet across his waist. “Isabelle, it’s not what it looks like—”Her gaze swept over him, his bare skin slick alongside his chest heaving, and then to Tiffany fumbling with the sheets, her face red as she tried to cover herself up. Isabelle’s lips curved into a laugh.“Not wh
Marjorie was the first to speak, her voice trembling with worry.“What happened to my baby?” she demanded, clutching her chest as if her heart itself might give way.Rowland, however, remained steady. His gaze landed on Gregory. “You weren’t clear on the phone. What exactly happened?”The hallway fell into a taut silence. Gregory’s lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, his eyes darted briefly toward Tiffany, a look Isabelle noticed instantly.A glimmer of cold amusement immediately flickered in her eyes. So he wouldn’t speak. He was going to shield her.The two elders looked really worried and seeing that no one was speaking, their gaze flickered through the faces of all three of them. Before either of them could press further, Tiffany stepped forward, her expression pale and stricken. Isabelle looked at her taken aback. Gregory had already kept silent to protect her but she actually came forward to confess.Maybe she felt that, that way the elders wouldn’t blame her too much
Isabelle’s expression froze, her breath catching as if the ground had shifted beneath her feet. For a moment, the hospital ward seemed too quiet except for the faint beep of the monitor and Ryan’s small, stubborn voice still echoing in her head.She forced herself to keep her tone steady. “Ryan, don’t talk like that. This is something for adults to—”But he cut her off, his voice rising in a wobbly cry. “No! You’re bad! Mommy Tiffany’s nice to me, and you’re always scolding! I don’t want you! Go away!”The words struck like a slap.Isabelle felt every muscle in her body tense. Her gaze flicked to Gregory and he looked as shocked as she was but then she caught Tiffany’s expression. For the briefest second, a sharp and triumphant glint glimmered in her eyes before she smoothed it away with a look of concern. Isabelle didn’t have the luxury to deal with her now.Her attention returned to her son. He sat up straighter in the bed, little hands balled into fists at his sides, his lower lip
The doctor stepped out, his white coat swaying with the motion. Isabelle moved before she could think, brushing past Gregory entirely. Riven also stepped forward at the same time, coming to stand beside her as naturally as though he belonged there. They stood shoulder to shoulder and looked so perfectly in sync.. Gregory’s lips pressed into a thin line when he saw that while Tiffany dug her hands into her bag, her face contorting. She had always known Isabelle was a sl*t pretending to be innocent as she had managed to marry Gregory despite being a small time actress. But now, she was even trying to snag such an outstanding man too? “Are you the patient’s parents?” the doctor asked evenly, interrupting everyone’s private thoughts. Gregory’s face darkened. He strode forward quickly, sliding in beside Isabelle. “I’m his father,” he said firmly, then, with a quick glance at Riven, added in a dry, cutting tone, “And I suggest some people here know their place. After all, it won’
“What exactly happened?” Isabelle repeated contemptuously when she heard that. She didn’t bother looking at Gregory at first. Her gaze was locked on Tiffany, but her words were directed to her husband as she scoffed, “Why don’t you ask her?” Tiffany, however, only widened her eyes in feigned innocence, tilting her head slightly as though confused. “What do you mean?” she asked, her tone light, as if she genuinely couldn’t imagine what Isabelle was implying. Isabelle had been feeling an unbearable tightness in her chest ever since Ryan had been rolled into that room, a feeling of unease that only worsened with every passing second. Now watching Tiffany’s perfectly composed expression as she pretended to have no ulterior motives snapped the last thread of her patience. “You think I didn’t notice?” She flew up from the bench instantly, crossing over to them in a stride. “The cake had already been opened. You must have given it to Ryan when everyone was distracted.” Gregory qui