Chapter 68 I Am Your Husband

- Good morning, Max! “A feminine and familiar voice surprised Máximo in his office.

"Emily?" He stood up, surprised.

"How are you, brother?" She came over and gave him a little hug.

"Well... Did something happen?" Máximo asked, still confused by his sister's unexpected visit.

- No, no... She just stopped by to say hello..." She looked a little nervous, she walked around the office until she decided to take a seat.

"Say hello?" "That was even stranger to Maximus.

Emily began to talk about trivial subjects that did not interest her at all, and her patience was wearing thin. He had too many occupations to listen to banalities. However, she held back, as she was her sister, and it was not common in her family for Emily to show up just for an affectionate chat.

"Max, by the way... And your spouse, Isabella?" Emily asked suddenly.

Máximo looked at her even more confused, first because, why would Emily ask about Isabella?, because it was obvious that he did not like her; and second, because, had he called her by her name?, Emily had always called Isabella in a derogatory way, as a small thing or the homeless one.

"Isabella?" He repeated, watching his sister attentively.

“Yes, what are you doing abroad? Emily insisted, trying to handle the subject delicately.

“She left to study; she is preparing for a university career. Máximo clarified, with a tone that denoted that he considered the information sufficient.

"Really?" Is the homeless woman studying? Emily asked, with a mocking tone and a raised eyebrow. Noticing the discomfort on Maximo's face, he quickly corrected himself. "I mean, your spouse, Isabella.

- Yes, that's right. - Máximo confirmed, maintaining seriousness. “My spouse is studying.

"And she went alone?"

"What?" “Máximo began to show signs of irritation.

"I mean, if your spouse went abroad alone. Emily insisted, visibly nervous.

“No, she's accompanied by her grandmother, Margaret Sinclair, and a group of staff and bodyguards. - Máximo clarified.

"And Aiden?" Emily asked, unable to contain herself.

"Who?" Maximo frowned, confused.

“Aiden, her cousin, the one who always defended her. I guess he went with her too, right? Emily asked, trying to stay calm.

"No, as I told you, only your grandmother, Margaret Sinclair, left. “Máximo specified.

"Are you sure?"

“Yes, I myself prepared the departure of the trip and said goodbye to them at the airport. Maximo felt more uncomfortable and noticed how Emily lowered her eyes with concern. "Emily?" Why are you interested?

- No, no... I was just curious. She hurriedly got up from her seat. "Max, it was just curiosity.

"Are you leaving?" Máximo asked, perplexed by his sister's attitude.

"Yes, I forgot I had something to do and”" Another day I will visit you. Emily tried to cover her nervousness. Máximo got up worried when he saw his anxiety.

"Emily, are you okay?" I'll accompany you...

- Don't worry, I'm fine, and you have a lot of work. I've already taken up a lot of your time. She hurried toward the door. "I must go." Goodbye, Max.

Emily left that office quickly, leaving Maximo puzzled, what had just happened?

She walked hurriedly while holding back tears, she couldn't allow anyone to see her in that state.

Emily had not heard from Aiden for a month, after the strange argument they had with Isabella, he had disappeared, she did not answer her calls, she did not find him in the usual clubs he visited and much less in his apartment.

He had left her and that killed her inside, it hurt deeply in her chest, why had he left her? What had she done wrong?, Why had he done that to her?

*

It was a very busy month, Isabella worked hard, she was unstoppable, although a little tired.

She woke up very early to review before going to class, she would have lunch and see the tutors of the extracurricular classes and in the evening, she would follow another round of more extra subjects at university, she would be late to continue studying, so she would only be able to rest for four to six hours at night, if she was lucky.

Isabella was determined, her goal was to graduate with honors in a year, which was what she had set out to do.

In addition to fulfilling some extra activities such as playing an instrument, learning more in depth about protocol, taking classes in manners and catwalk, a little international cuisine and a couple of languages, classes that, although they did not seem essential, were usually included in the curriculum of an heiress.

For she wanted to comply with everything that was required for her position, just as many others had done in her family and in other families of lineage for years.

That way no one else could look down on her for anything because she wouldn't give them the chance to do it again.

It was too much burden, many of those who saw her striving in the institution believed that she could not achieve it; however, Diego and Margaret encouraged her, they believed in her.

Although Diego still did not understand his eagerness to do everything at the same time.

Could it be that she was so in love with Maximo, that she wanted to return to his side as soon as possible? Diego tortured himself between thoughts.

Well, it was true, he was there only to do his job, and he did not intend to try anything, only the orders he had to carry out.

Isabella was now a married woman and not only that, but Diego also saw how she received Maximo's calls every night with a smile.

It was obvious that the young woman was in love with her spouse, in addition to the fact that, whenever she could, Isabella stayed away from him and with that, Diego had already understood that he had no place in the young woman's life.

Diego saw that girl, that woman he adored with her heart, striving every day, without complaints, full of care, commitment, and encouragement, eager to learn and he admired her much more every day.

But hopes were lost.

He had come to falsely believe that in a short time she would divorce Maximus and there he could steal her heart, yet it was obvious that that would not happen, unless a miracle occurred.

One morning like any other, Isabella woke up very early, feeling more tired than usual, it seemed that her body was already taking its toll on her because of the demands she made of her, because every day the young woman felt less energetic.

After a quick breakfast, Diego picked her up at the penthouse and accompanied her in the sheltered car to the university, as always, he waited for her inside the university campus.

A couple of hours later there was a strange movement inside one of the buildings, Diego noticed in the distance some young people running around and had a bad feeling.

When he entered and did not find Isabella anywhere, he asked everyone he saw, like a desperate man, until someone sent him to the infirmary, where the young woman was on a stretcher, unconscious.

- Sir! Who are you?! What are you doing here?! The nurse asked, alarmed when she saw Diego's abrupt entrance.

"Isabella! Diego exclaimed, ignoring the woman, seeing her pale in bed. He quickly approached and took her in his arms.

"Who are you?!" He can't take it! The nurse tried to stop him.

“I am your spouse! Diego shouted, desperate to take Isabella away.

"You need to show me an ID!" I can't...! The nurse struggled to explain while Diego tried to move forward.

At that moment, a group of escorts burst into the room.

- Sir, excuse me, we followed you, we didn't know...! How is the lady?! The cars are outside! Quick to the clinic! The bodyguards talked to each other, without giving the nurse a chance to object.

Isabella was admitted, a group of doctors took her to a private room to check her, as she had been unconscious for a long time.

Diego paced back and forth in the hallway, worried, not only because he had to protect and care for her, because that was his job, but also because she was the woman he loved.

It was horrible to have seen her in that state.

Then he realized, Diego remembered that one of his obligations was to notify Máximo of everything that happened, a moment later, Diego took out his phone and dialed him.

With only a couple of rings, Máximo answered the call.

“Diego, any news? His voice was full of concern.

"I'm at the clinic with Isabella.

- What?! Maximus exclaimed, his tone revealing alarm. “What happened?

- I don't know, she was in college, she seemed fine and then... I found her passed out. Diego tried to explain himself, his voice trembling with fear and nerves.

- What did the doctors tell you?! Maximo shouted with authority, quick footsteps could be heard in the background, as if he were walking in a hurry.

- Nothing yet, they are checking it... They have not yet given information. Diego took a deep breath, overwhelmed by helplessness.

"Don't move from there and let me know as soon as you know something..." Maximo's voice was agitated.

"What?" Yes, right.

"I'm going there." “Máximo hung up immediately.

"Is Máximo going to leave all his obligations to come and see her?", Diego felt a knot in his heart when he thought about it.

After a couple of hours of waiting, a doctor came out calling Isabella Sinclair's relatives.

"Me!" Diego ran desperately to the doctor.

"What is your relationship with the lady?" The doctor asked with a serious expression.

Diego did not hesitate for a moment. She knew that since she was not a direct relative, she would not have access to information about her. Perhaps because deep down he desperately wanted to be seen that way, or perhaps because he had felt good saying it before, he replied without hesitation:

-"I am your spouse".