All Chapters of My Mysterious Mate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

ISABELLA'S POV ~We approached my old classroom, and the memories came flooding back. My shoulders slumped, and I felt my chest tightening as I stared at the door. I didn’t want to go in there, but I knew I had to.Ryan fell silent, his eyes trained on me, but I couldn’t meet his gaze. Instead, I focused on the wall of the classroom, my mind reeling with the painful memories that were surfacing. I could feel my throat tightening, my eyes beginning to burn.As I moved closer to the drawing on the wall, my heart sank deeper and deeper into my belly. “Echoes of the City,” read the heading, the intricate lines and shapes making up the cityscape coming into focus. I traced my gaze over the sleek lines of modern buildings and the ornate details of historical landmarks, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. It was a breathtakingly beautiful piece of art, but for me, it was a painful reminder of the past.“It’s beautiful,” Ryan murmured from behind me, and I could only

RYAN'S POV~I felt my chest tighten like a vice. Isabella’s questioning stare felt like a pair of heated irons, burning into my skin and soul. Sweat beaded down my neck, as my eyes darted around the room, desperate to find a way out of this conversation. But there was no escape, no quick-witted explanation that could smooth over this mess. I knew that if I so much as twitched, she’d see through my carefully constructed facade.Fucking hell. How the fuck did I end up in this situation?The knot in my stomach twisted tighter. I knew Isabella was no fool, and if she kept on staring at me like this, it was only a matter of time before she uncovered all my secrets. My heart thudded in my chest, and I could feel my jaw clenching to the point of pain. But I couldn't let her see my fear. Not yet.Fuck. I couldn't stand lying to her. Each lie was like a piece of shrapnel, digging deeper into my heart with every passing day.The silence stretched on, every passing second feeling like an hour. I

ISABELLA'S POV ~“UGH!!"Adrenaline surged through my veins as I shot up from the bedside chair, my heart racing as I turned to see my mother writhing in pain. "Mom?" I gasped, rushing to her side to help her sit up, gently propping her up against the pillow."Mama," I whispered, concern lacing my voice. "Is it the pain again?" I asked, my hands trembling as I smoothed her hair back from her face."At the hospital again?" she croaked, her voice raspy from the pain. "I'm so thirsty…Everything hurts," she groaned, rubbing her throat as she shifted uncomfortably.My hands trembled as I grabbed the cup of water from the bedside table, helping her drink, my eyes never leaving hers."Isabella, I don't like the smell of the hospital and you know. Get me out of here. Get me discharged." My heart shattered like glass as I watched her frail form hand me back the glass of water, her eyes pleading for freedom.I swallowed the lump in my throat, about to respond when the door opened, the doctor en

RYAN'S POV~It was 7:00 am and the morning sun had barely started creeping through the curtains. I stepped out of my room, the tension from the day before still lingering in the air. My brow furrowed as I noticed that Isabella's room was empty, her bed still neatly made. My heart started to race. Where was she? I stepped out into the living room, following the faint scent that could only belong to my girl.And then, I saw her. Isabella was curled up on the rug, her body hidden under a loose blanket.My chest tightened as I approached her with quiet steps, not wanting to disturb her slumber. The sight of her was both beautiful and heartbreaking. Why was she laying on the ground, instead of sleeping comfortably on her bed? Was she okay?Her chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm, and her face was peaceful, her lips slightly parted as she softly snored. Her delicate features were illuminated by the morning sun, casting a warm glow on her skin.I couldn't take my eyes off of her. It

ISABELLA'S POV ~ Alice began to survey the living room, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "So you've been living like this for the past year? In this dirty looking house?" she asked. Her hands reached out to touch Ryan's face, running over his cheekbones and biceps, her expression one of dismay."Oh goodness, Ryan! You've lost so much weight!" she exclaimed, glaring at him frustratedly. She pulled on his cheek, but Ryan gently evaded her touch, a faint blush rising to his cheeks.The exchange between them was so intimate, so familiar, that my chest tightened with suspicion. I tried to ignore the uneasy feeling growing inside of me, telling myself that Ryan had nothing to hide. But the way they interacted - it was as if they were mother and son, or even more.Ryan's lips parted, as if he were about to speak, but then he caught sight of me and his words seemed to catch in his throat. "Hey," I said softly, offering him one of the glasses of water and then turning to Alice to hand her the