Chapter 7

Sebastian

After taking Isabella to the hospital, I sat silently in the car for quite a while. This time, I was in a very uncomfortable situation. Isabella’s weak voice kept echoing in my head

“She hit me, Sebastian… she is jealous of our past memories...”

Her reddened cheek, her tear-streaked face, her trembling voice—it took all my attention and left a deep impression, because it felt so convincing.

Isabella, who had just come out of the hospital, had to experience something like that.

In this solitude, imagining the incident didn’t just make me keep thinking of Isabella—there was a feeling that weighed heavily on my chest and made me feel like I was drowning.

The woman I didn’t love, Cassandra—I’d been married to her for three years, and not once had I treated her kindly.

But… she had never once acted cruelly.

Despite being ignored, she always repeated the same things—preparing food for me, smiling at me.

To the point I thought she was just a foolish woman.

But this time, I had different thoughts about Isabella...

That doubt was deeply troubling, and because of it, I finally contacted my secretary.

“Alden, I want you to send me the audio from the front door between 18:42 and 19:05. Enhanced. Now.”

“Just the audio, sir?” he asked, annoyingly.

“Yes.”

I ended the call and exhaled deeply.

I didn’t know what I was really hoping for. I still couldn’t believe my own actions—that I doubted Isabella. She’s the woman I love, the one I would give anything for.

I mean… even now I’ve been doing everything I can so she could regain consciousness and get better. That alone always gave me strength.

I imagined how wonderful it would be when we got back together.

Right now, I’m confused about myself…

My thoughts were interrupted by a call from Grandpa.

“Sebastian.” His voice was soft but firm, as usual.

“Yes, Grandpa?” I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Tomorrow, you and your wife are having dinner at the house.” He gave the command.

I took a breath. “Alright.”

Then the call ended. Grandpa always called only when he wanted something—simple, but burdensome to me.

Before I could set down my phone, a message from Alden came in.

The audio you requested, sir.

The unease inside me was still so strong. It took a few seconds before I finally played the audio—and then I was stunned by what I heard.

I had already assumed that all the chaos earlier had been Cassandra’s fault. But this truth blurred everything I thought about Isabella—which one is the real Isabella?

“Stop it, Isabella!”

“I can do anything to take Sebastian back.”

The loud shouting… the reality—made my body tremble.

This situation felt like I had been brilliantly deceived. That floating feeling... nothing more...

I shake the thought away. I know I must be thinking the wrong way—and a second later, I remembered Cassandra’s face when she told me the truth.

I take a short breath as the guilt spreads.

"She... was telling the truth."

That hit me differently. A different way of thinking. Probably because, at the very least, she gave her blood to the woman I’ve loved for the past few years.

And even the actions Isabella took—I could understand them.

When we were deeply in love and that tragedy struck, it completely tore her world apart. Then, when she woke up, I was already the husband of another woman.

But I didn’t understand this stabbing pain in my chest. More than anything, I just wanted to go home and see Cassandra.

Her pleading face at that time… it stayed with me. I got in the car and headed home. I was sure she’d be there.

When I arrived, I found her curled up asleep on the sofa, dried tears on her face.

Even in the dim light, I could see how pale she looked—paler than before, and the pain in my chest grew sharper.

Slowly, I approached her, and I still remember my reaction as I lifted her into my arms.

Light…

This was the first time I’d lifted her and realized how light her body really was—I had to check several times to be sure I was actually holding her.

Had she always been this light from the beginning?

After laying her down gently in the bedroom, I sat beside her. Cassandra had wavy brunette hair, partly covering her face, which I carefully brushed aside.

She had short but slightly curled lashes and thin lips…

There was a strange urge to touch her lips—until my phone vibrated.

Sebastian, can you come stay by my side? I miss you and I’m not feeling well.

This felt different from before. I didn’t hesitate to exit the message and call Alden.

“Call a doctor for Isabella. She’s not feeling well.”

“I’ll let her know you’ll be on your way, sir,” he answered on his own initiative.

I had already said—this time is different. It made me grip the phone more tightly.

“No. I’m not going over there.”

I knew Alden was confused by the situation, because whenever it was about Isabella, I would always respond immediately, no matter the circumstance. But I ended the call.

My jaw clenched, my breath heavy—I didn’t understand myself. I had never disappointed Isabella before, and I was now doubting the action I had just taken, the cold way I handled it.

I called Isabella again, my jaw still tight. Naturally, when the call connected, my voice came out much softer than I expected.

“I heard you’re not feeling well.” I held my breath slightly. “I’m a bit tied up today, so I can’t come over. Rest well, alright?”

“I really need you here, Sebas,” her soft voice sounded sad.

“If you’re here, I know I’ll feel better.”

I knew Isabella truly wanted me by her side. The guilt almost consumed me—but I resisted it.

“I’m sorry, Bella. I can’t come today.”

The silence that followed wasn’t something I was prepared for.

“Bella…”

“I understand, Sebastian. Come when you’re not busy anymore.” Her voice grew weaker, full of disappointment.

“Yes.”

I hung up the phone. This was the first time in our relationship that I refused something she wanted...