CHAPTER 69: NOW YOUR LOVER DEFENDS YOU?In the cold hospital room, Isabella was sitting next to Nicholas's bed, gently holding his small hand. The monitors emitted rhythmic beeps, and the air smelled of antiseptic as Nicholas remained asleep.Elijah stayed close, offering his silent support with a hand on Isabella's shoulder.Just then, the door to the room burst open, and Sebastián rushed in, followed by Inesa. His gaze immediately landed on Isabella and Elijah, and his expression darkened upon seeing Elijah's hand touching his wife. His fists clenched involuntarily, and he felt a scorching heat rise from his neck to his cheeks.However, though jealousy consumed him inside, Sebastián decided to stay quiet and focus on his son's situation."How is Nicholas?" Sebastián tried to stay calm, but his voice trembled slightly. He couldn't help but cast furtive glances at Elijah, increasingly irritated by his presence.Isabella looked up, her eyes meeting Sebastián's, hers filled with a mix o
CHAPTER 70: WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH HIM?After Coraline arrived, she managed to convince Sebastián that the best thing for Nicholas and Sienna was to have their mother close, so he had agreed that Isabella would stay in the apartment with Nicholas, while he would stay at the mansion with his parents.That night, Isabella went to the mansion to collect Sienna and Nicholas's things. Entering her son's room, memories of the days before everything came to light overwhelmed her. She placed a hand on her chest, trying to calm her racing heart."At least you're with him, Isabella. That's something, it's something until Elijah finds that damn lawyer," she thought, trying to find solace in her own words.Suddenly, the door slammed shut. Isabella turned and found Sebastián, who was staring at her intently while locking the door."So now you don't even have the decency to come alone? Do you have to bring that idiot with you everywhere?" Sebastián snapped, his tone accusatory.
CHAPTER 71: I DECLINE YOUR OFFERSebastián looked at her in silence, seeing the fury and determination in her voice."They took him from me, they stole my son. They made me believe he was dead for six years, do you have any idea what it's like to live with that? First, I cried in front of an empty grave. I blamed myself, day and night, for not being a good mother. Then, when the bastard I thought was the man I loved, and the father of my child, told me he was alive, I felt my world collapse. That's the damn truth, Sebastián. I never planned anything, and I think it was God or destiny that led me to cross paths with Nicholas, but I don't regret it, you know why? Because now I've found him, and I swear that nothing, and no one, will separate me from him again, do you understand? No one!" Isabella said, with tears in her eyes.Sebastián remained silent and tempted to believe her, but everything seemed too ridiculous. He laughed, as if what she had just told him was a joke."Too fanciful,
CHAPTER 72: WHAT IF SHE'S INNOCENT?Sebastián looked at the photograph of Nicholas and Sienna with a mix of nostalgia and bitterness. The storm inside him hadn't calmed, despite his deep love for Isabella. The image of her with Elijah filled him with fury and distrust. He couldn't believe in her, not after everything that had happened. However, a small doubt constantly gnawed at him: what if Isabella really was innocent as she claimed?The sound of the door pulled him out of his thoughts. Louis, his secretary, entered and informed him that the lawyer he had requested had arrived. Sebastián nodded and motioned for him to come in.The lawyer, a middle-aged man with gray hair at the temples and an impeccably tailored suit, entered the office with determined steps. His confident and professional demeanor was reflected in his sharp gaze and the firm handshake he offered Sebastián, making it clear he was used to winning."Mr. Ashford, it's a pleasure to meet you," said the lawyer, with a ca
CHAPTER 73: DON'T TOUCH MY MOMMYWithout thinking further, he took out his cell phone and called her. He gestured to the lawyer to give him a moment and headed to the private lounge. The line rang a few times before Isabella answered."Sebastián?" she said, with a tone of surprise in her voice."I need to talk to you right now," he responded, his voice laden with tension."What's going on? I'm with the kids...""I know that very well," Sebastián interrupted, trying to stay calm. "I want to know what the hell you're doing with Elijah. Why is he near my children?"There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Sebastián could hear the murmur of voices and the distant sound of children's laughter."Sebastián, you have no right to demand explanations from me," Isabella finally said, her tone hard. "You are not my owner nor do you have authority over my decisions.""Demanding explanations is the least I should do!" Sebastián almost shouted. "We are still married, Isabella! How
CHAPTER 74: SOMETHING CALLED: KARMA"You're cheating on me with her! Admit it! You have something with that woman!" In the Becker mansion, Amanda confronted Marcus with tears of fury in her eyes."Will you leave me alone? I'm sick of your jealousy, Amanda. Sick of it!" Marcus grabbed his jacket and car keys, his patience reaching its limit."Sick of it? I'm the one who's sick! Sick of you making a fool out of me, Marcus. At least be a man and admit it. Admit that you're screwing that bitch."Marcus pressed his lips together and gave her a warning look."Don't cross the line, Amanda, and be very careful how you refer to her, is that clear?"Amanda laughed bitterly, her laugh full of disdain."Does it hurt that I call her what she is? A whore!" Amanda shouted, remembering how she had seen Marcus leaving Inesa's apartment. "A whore! That's what Inesa is, a damn whore."The slap didn't take long to come. The blow echoed in the room, and Amanda held her burning cheek, looking at him in sho
CHAPTER 75: "HAVE YOU ALREADY HAD SEX WITH HIM?"Sebastián's hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Every laugh and gesture of closeness between Isabella and Elijah was like a stab to his heart. He couldn't bear to see Isabella in another man's arms, especially Elijah's. The image of their embrace was etched in his mind, fueling his fury.Unable to take it any longer, Sebastián got out of the car and walked towards them. His clapping interrupted the atmosphere, causing Isabella and Elijah to immediately pull apart."Bravo, Isabella..." Sebastián spat with disdain and jealousy. "You don't waste much time finding someone else, do you?"Isabella swallowed and took a deep breath, trying to stay calm."It's not what you think, and even if it were, you're the last person who should be complaining, don't you think?""The last person?" Sebastián laughed without humor. "Sure, because you've always been the perfect victim, right? While I fight for our childr
CHAPTER 76: "BRANDED ON HIS SOUL"After Elijah left, Isabella went up to the apartment followed by Sebastián. Throughout the entire walk, neither of them said anything; however, the tension between them was palpable. After Sebastián put Nicholas to bed, he left the room and found Isabella waiting for him in the living room, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination."Why did you come here, Sebastián?" The coldness in her voice was palpable. "What need do you have to make a scene?" She paused, taking a deep breath. "Do you even think about Nicholas?"Sebastián took a few steps toward her with his hands in his pockets, his gaze loaded with conflicting emotions."Are you with him?"Isabella furrowed her brows and pressed her lips together, trying to contain the anger she felt."Is that all you care about? If I'm in a relationship with Elijah? If I'm sleeping with him?"Sebastián felt a mix of conflicting emotions. What if he was wrong? But every time he thought of Elijah to