Chapter 8
Isabella paused, her gaze darkening. After a moment, she looked at him directly and replied, “I need to cover up the handprint you left on my face,”
For a moment, a flash of guilt crossed Benjamin’s eyes, and he fell silent.
Having been embarrassed, he felt a bit frustrated. Gripping Alexander’s hand, he started to walk off, bu
she suddenly spoke again, stopping them,
They turned around to see her handing over a gift box.
“This is for Olivia. Please give it to her during the gift exchange, Make sure to play it in front of everyone,”
Inside the box was the hospital surveillance footage.
Since they didn’t want to watch it, she would make sure everyone did,
Isabella emphasized “in front of everyone,” and although Alexander was confused, he agreed,
Taking the gift, the father and son turned and walked toward the door,
“Benjamin.”
She suddenly called his name, and when he turned around, his impatience evident, she softly said,
“Goodbye.”
After a pause, she looked at the tall figure of Alexander, also bidding him farewell.
“Alexander, goodbye.”
Alexander turned his head, and Isabella stood under the light. Because she was backlit, her expression was hard to make out, but he could faintly see a soft smile on her face.
He was momentarily stunned. When had her figure become so slender, as though a gust of wind could carry her away?
She might float out of the Carter family… perhaps even out of his world entirely.
But after a brief moment, he quickly rebutted himself. How could Isabella leave? She had loved him for so long, and after six years, she still hadn’t left. No matter who left, she would never leave.
He forced the inexplicable unease creeping up inside him down and didn’t think any further. Nodding, he held the gift box with one hand and took Benjamin’s hand with the other, turning to leave the villa.
23:47
Farewell Without Return
Chapter 8
After watching Alexander and Benjamin leave the villa, Isabella finally withdrew her gaze and returned to her room. She pushed the luggage she had already packed out the door.
Standing by the roadside, she hailed a cab, gave the destination, and the car soon started, heading in the opposite direction of the villa where Olivia was.
Alexander, Benjamin…
Goodbye.
Perhaps, it was a goodbye forever.
On the other side.
Alexander sat in the fast–moving car, but for some reason, he felt uneasy. He kept turning around, looking back to see if Isabella had followed. His gaze fell on the gift box again, and he couldn’t help but
furrow his brow.
Even the gift had to be delivered by him. How long did she plan on being late? Was changing clothes and putting on makeup really taking this long?
He searched through his memories, trying to recall how much time she usually needed when she went out. His mind couldn’t help but entertain the thought that if she didn’t need that much time before, she
must be avoiding an apology.
He wouldn’t let her have her way.
But as he recalled their six years of marriage, he realized she rarely wore makeup. Maybe it was as Benjamin had said, she was always at home cooking and taking care of them. Or perhaps she simply didn’t like to dress up. He couldn’t remember how much time she needed to apply makeup.
Eventually, the car stopped. Benjamin, having waited a while, opened the door himself and jumped out. When he saw that his father wasn’t moving, he climbed back inside and tugged at his sleeve.
“Dad, we’re here. Let’s go find Auntie!”
Alexander finally came to his senses and looked out the window at the villa gates. He realized they had
arrived at Olivia’s place.
He grabbed the gift box and stepped out of the car, feeling oddly melancholic.
“Dad, what were you thinking just now? You looked so lost,” Benjamin said, tugging on his hand.
Alexander snapped back to reality, but the name that lingered in his mind was unmistakable–Isabella.
She had managed to make him feel so unsettled.
23-47
Farewell Without Return
Chapter 8
Later, at the birthday banquet, Alexander was holding a gift when it was his turn to present it. He paused and then decided to give Olivia the gift Isabella had entrusted to him.
“This is a gift from Isabella. She insisted it be played on the spot. Let’s see what she has prepared.”
He opened the gift box to reveal a small USB drive. Handing it to a servant, he instructed them to play it.
Olivia didn’t stop him, curious to see what Isabella might do in such a situation.
As the screen in the center of the banquet hall lit up, the guests all turned their attention to it. The progress bar slowly filled, and everyone was curious. What would Isabella, who had pursued Alexander for six years, show at the birthday banquet of the one he truly loved?
Was it a video of their loving past? But anyone in Vancouver knew that Alexander’s heart was with his adopted sister, and his marriage to Isabella was just a business arrangement.
Or was it a message of well wishes? If that were the case, people would just laugh it off as her trying to act gracious.
The long loading time ended, and the
“What’s this?”
Teen finally revealed what appeared to be surveillance footage.
“It looks like surveillance footage. Why would Isabella show this?”
23:47
