Chapter 432

Unless, Michael had never left at all. He had been watching her from behind the entire time.

That's how he managed to reach her just in time and save her.

This was the most plausible explanation she could think of.

If that were true, it meant Michael cared about her. He risked his life to save her, didn't he?

Michael had no idea why Isabella was so insistent on getting to the bottom of this.

Not wanting to come off as a stalker, he pressed his lips together and finally spoke after a long pause.

"I didn't know it was you who fell. It was just a coincidence."

This was the best excuse Michael could come up with.

He couldn't possibly tell Isabella that he was worried about her being alone with Emilio, so he had secretly followed them, keeping an eye on her every move.

That would only make her resent him.

So, even if Isabella didn't believe him, he couldn't tell her the truth.

Admitting that he had followed his wife and another man up the mountain would be too humiliating.

"Michael, do you think I'm a child? Do you believe your own words?"

Isabella had waited a long time for an answer, only to be met with Michael's dismissive response.

She had been so worried about him that she almost cried, but when he woke up, he was still full of lies.

He was driving her crazy.

Michael looked deeply into her eyes. God knew how much he wanted to tell her the truth, to hold her and comfort her.

But now wasn't the right time. The Brown Group was trying to interfere, and the Adri Family overseas was watching him closely.

Bianca was in Auroria, and given Bianca's hatred for both him and Isabella...

If he admitted everything now, Isabella would inevitably get dragged into it.

And she would become their next target.

He didn't want her to get hurt.

So, he had to keep things under wraps for now.

"Isabella, I told you it was just a coincidence. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. I went to Graceful Haven Church not for you, but because Mom wanted me to pray for her. I had no choice but to go."

"If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself."

Michael shifted the blame onto his mother, Stella, because he was sure Isabella wouldn't confront Stella over something so trivial.

And she certainly wouldn't step foot into the Brown Family's home for his sake.

"Michael, are you really not willing to tell me a single truth?"

Isabella's suppressed emotions were about to burst.

She had loved him for over a decade, deeply and passionately. She thought she would never receive his love, but today she felt his concern.

Yet he claimed it was all a coincidence.

How could she accept that?

"When you held me, you were so tense. I don't believe you don't care about me at all."

Isabella couldn't hold back her question any longer.

She desperately wanted to know the answer.

"Michael, we've been married for three years, and this is the first time you've made me feel like you care about me, even a little. Are you sure this is all just my imagination?"

She didn't believe he didn't know how much she cared about him.

In the past, a single glance from him, a moment of attention, would fill her with joy.

Maybe these things meant nothing to Bianca, but Isabella cherished every little bit of it.

Because it was the warmth she had longed for but could never attain.

"Yes, it's all an illusion."

Michael shattered Isabella's hopes without hesitation.

He also destroyed any last possibility between them.

Compared to Isabella's safety, he could sacrifice anything.

Besides, he hadn't forgotten that the person Isabella truly loved was Nolan, not him.

When Nolan suddenly disappeared, Isabella, heartbroken, mistook him for Nolan and did everything she could to marry him.

Michael kept telling himself that Isabella was only asking these questions to find an outlet for the pain of those three years.

If he admitted the truth, she would undoubtedly mock him.

Isabella didn't like him.

She had always been indifferent and disdainful towards him. How could she possibly develop feelings for him just because he saved her once? It was impossible!

"Michael, is this your answer? You don't even have the courage to admit it. Can you still call yourself a man?"

Isabella's eyes were red as she glared at him.

"Or is it that admitting you care about me is so hard for you?"

Isabella didn't give him a chance to back down. Michael looked into her eyes, filled with pain and despair.

Was it really because of him?

Michael's heart trembled. As Isabella said, he didn't dare face her like this.

He didn't even dare to ask if her words meant she cared about him too.

He feared the answer would be someone else's name.

That would only bring him more pain.

He shook his head, unsure if he was admitting his cowardice or just wanting to end the conversation.

"Isabella, I don't know why you're thinking about this. I chose to save you because you're still my wife, the mother of my child. You lost our child because of me. I owe you a life."

"Consider this my way of repaying that debt. Please, don't hold any more grudges against me."

Isabella's face turned pale.

So, he risked his life to save her not because he cared, but to atone for the loss of their child.

But what about her?

What did she mean to him? After all these years, he couldn't even say he cared about her.

She was his wife, yet she could never earn his love.

She understood now.

It was all her wishful thinking, her unrequited love for Michael.

"Fine, as you said, we're even now. I don't hate you anymore, Michael."

Isabella stood up calmly and took a step back. "No matter what, thank you for saving me today. The Wilson Family will cover all your hospital expenses. If you need anything else, you can ask Atticus."

"I don't want anything."

Michael shook his head. He saved Isabella willingly; it had nothing to do with money.

Isabella bit her lip hard. "Then, goodbye."

She turned and walked out the door.

As the hospital room door closed, her face was already streaked with tears. She wiped them away with the back of her hand and walked away briskly.

What was this? She thought her years of waiting had finally borne fruit.

She had laid her heart bare before him, but he had coldly said it was just a life for a life.

Olivia had been waiting outside for Isabella. When she saw her come out, she was about to ask what happened, but Isabella suddenly hugged her tightly.

"Isabella?"

"Olivia, it hurts so much."

Isabella didn't want anyone to see her in such a vulnerable state. She buried her face in Olivia's embrace and cried softly.

The more subdued her sobs, the more Olivia could feel Isabella's pain.

She sighed and gently patted Isabella's back.

"Isabella, if you need to cry, just let it out. It might make you feel a little better."