Chapter 9

In no time, Isaac was battered and bruised by the barrage of stones. He tried to dodge, but there was nowhere to run.

When Julia dragged him to the campus, his clothes were still soaking wet. He was already feeling unwell, and now he felt even worse.

Dizzy and disoriented, he reached out, trying to steady himself on Julia.

Worried that being too close to him would be caught on camera and upset Daniel, she stepped back with a frown.

Watching her subtle retreat cut through Isaac's heart like a blade.

"Julia… My head hurts so bad…"

"Stop playing tricks, Isaac. You brought this on yourself."

Her ice-cold detachment killed the final glimmer of hope inside him.

Rocks continued to fly toward him from the aggressive crowd. The moment a sharp stone struck his forehead, his vision went black, and he collapsed heavily to the pavement.

When Isaac woke up, he was lying in a hospital bed.

The only person there was Cole Harvey, a doctor and former colleague of his.

"Dr. Howard, you're awake," Cole said warmly. "I've got good news for you. Your treatments worked! Your sperm motility has completely restored!"

Hearing the news, Isaac gave almost no reaction.

He had endured a year of agonizing treatments to finally recover. Yet what was the point now? His wife already had a child with another man.

Seeing his blank face, Cole frowned in confusion. "Aren't you happy? After everything you went through, you've finally reclaimed your manhood! Haven't you always wanted to start a family with your wife?

"She doesn't know yet, does she? Let me call her to pick you up. Who knows? You two might even have a baby tonight!"

Isaac was stunned for a moment. "Didn't Julia bring me here?"

"No, a student brought you in. After you passed out, Julia took a call and left straight away…"

He had fainted right in front of her, yet she didn't care enough to stay. After all these years, what had he ever meant to her?

Isaac stayed silent. His body trembled uncontrollably from the sheer agony in his chest.

It was all gone. Everything.

He and Julia were over for good.

…

Early the next morning, Isaac discharged himself and returned home.

The house was empty. The maid, Maisie Burton, explained that Julia had checked into a luxury postpartum care center for an extended stay, afraid Isaac might hurt Daniel or Noah again.

"Ms. Gordon and Mr. Poole left first thing this morning. Mr. Poole was all smiles," Maisie added.

Isaac felt nothing listening to her update. He set a small box down on the desk in his room, picked up his suitcase, and turned toward the door.

"Please hand this box to Julia when she gets back. Tell her it's a gift for her and Daniel and that I wish her eternal happiness."

Seeing him set to leave, Maisie asked in curiosity, "Where are you heading, Mr. Howard?"

"On a trip."

"When will you be back?"

"I'm never coming back," he said.

Without looking back, he walked out the front door.

Panicked by his words, Maisie hastily dialed Julia's number. When the line finally connected, Julia's impatient voice came through, "What is it?"

"Ms. Gordon, Mr. Howard said he's leaving on a trip—"

Julia interrupted, her tone frigid and distant, "I know. Let him go if he wants. It'll give him time to reflect on what he's done. He'll be back in a few days anyway."

"But he said he's never coming back—"

Before Maisie could finish her sentence, the line went dead.

Isaac stepped up to the curb and flagged down a cab. "To the airport, please. And make it quick, thank you."