Chapter 56
The little girl, startled, instinctively hid behind Whitney’s shoulder. Her voice was still soft and compliant as she mumbled, “Oh, okay.”
But her wide eyes kept darting towards Isabella, curiosity brimming in them.
Isabella could barely contain her delight. She thought, ‘How could this little girl be so adorable?‘
Suddenly, the room’s atmosphere turned awkward.
Gwenna glanced at Sarah, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She wanted to say something but swallowed the words back down. In the end, she let out a soft sigh. “I’m going out for a walk.”
Sarah watched helplessly as Gwenna left. Panic surged through her, and she blurted out, “Mom, you can’t leave! Don’t let her
touch me!”
Gwenna paused mid–step but then steeled herself and walked out the door. Sarah didn’t see the tears welling up in her mother’s eyes.
Despair gripped Sarah’s heart. What will happen to me once Isabella begins her treatment? Is this really the end for me?” Sarah thought, fear coiling tightly inside her.
Whitney, holding Rachana, hesitated as he approached the bed. His eyes remained downcast, avoiding Sarah’s gaze. He whispered, “Sarah, I’ll be waiting outside with our daughter.”
Sarah clenched her eyes shut, her heart breaking into pieces. She had lost all hope in them.
She thought bitterly, “Today, I will die on this hospital bed.
Tears slid from the corners of her eyes, disappearing into her hair. She gritted her teeth, forcing out a single word: “Leave!”
Whitney’s heart twisted painfully. No one was more worried about Sarah’s condition than he was.
He loved her more than anything, and seeing her in such agony was like having his heart carved out piece by piece.
Yet, there was nothing he could do.
Holding Rachana, Whitney cast one last glance at Sarah, his eyes filled with sorrow, before turning and walking out heavily.
Samuel’s deep gaze landed on Isabella. His voice was low as he asked, “My father?”
Their eyes both shifted to Hoy, who was still glaring at Isabella with barely contained rage.
After a moment, Isabella broke the silence, “It’s fine if Mr. Howerton stays here.”
She thought, ‘As long as he doesn’t interfere with the treatment, it doesn’t matter.
Samuel nodded slightly. “Alright, he replied before stepping out of the room.
Outside, the people waiting exchanged anxious, silent glances.
Inside, Isabella moved towards the bed.
Sarah’s face twisted with anger as she glared at Isabella. “Isabella, if you want to marry into the Howerton family, there are plenty of other ways. Why are you playing with my life?”
Sarah thought, Is she really so desperate to marry into wealth that she’ll go to such lengths?”
Regret gnawed at Sarah as she thought, I should have kicked her out the last time.
Isabella didn’t respond. She simply pulled a chair to the bedside and reached out to check Sarah’s pulse.
Sarah flinched, waving her arm frantically. “Stay away from me!”
Clearly, she didn’t want Isabella to come closer.
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Chapter 56
Isabella sighed softly. “Ms. Howerton, I advise you to stop struggling – it will only make things harder for you.”
Isabella thought. I just want to get this over with and leave as soon as possible.
Of course, Sarah wasn’t about to listen. Her resistance only grew stronger, her voice hoarse with desperation as she yelled, “Don’t touch me! You won’t have the opportunity to hurt me!”
Lying paralyzed on the bed, her hands were the only things she could still move. She thought, If Isabella messes up this treatment, I’ll lose more than the use of my hands I might lose my y life.
Hoy stared at Isabella, his voice thick with menace. “Ms. Stout, as long as you promise not to act recklessly, I’ll pay any price
you ask.”
‘He’s totally surrendered to my demands, Isabella thought, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue any further.
She pulled out a silver needle and, without warning, inserted it into Sarah’s shoulder.
The moment the needle touched her, Sarah’s body froze. Her eyes widened in terror.
Sarah’s mind spiraled into panic, ‘I can’t move. This loss of control… What is happening to me? Always tough, her voice now trembled as she whimpered. “Isabella!”
Isabella didn’t seem to hear her. She placed her delicate, pale fingers on Sarah’s wrist, focusing on her diagnosis.
Sarah’s panic only deepened. It’s like hitting the air with my fists. She thought, anger and frustration bubbling up inside her. She thought, If Isabella would just be reasonable…
After a long moment, Isabella finally spoke, her voice calm and steady. “Your condition isn’t serious. A few acupuncture sessions, and you’ll be fine. Don’t worry so much.”
Sarah was furious. “Am I worried about my illness? I’m worried about you!”
Her teeth ground together in frustration, and for a moment, she wished she could bite Isabella
Isabella found herself amused by Sarah’s outburst. She pressed her tongue lightly to her teeth and nodded. “Fair enough.”
Isabella thought, ‘Right now, I’m scarier to her than the illness itself.
Sarah exploded, “How can you still laugh!!”
Sarah thought, I’ve never met anyone more shameless than Isabella. If I survive this, I’ll make sure she rots in prison!!
Not bothering to respond, Isabella shrugged and began arranging her needles on the bedside table.
As Sarah watched those gleaming silver needles, her fear swelled until it seemed to fill the room.
I’m scared. Sarah realized.
She swallowed hard and, in a shaky voice, offered, “Isabella, if you stop now, I’ll give you half of my company. How about
that?”
She thought, “Money is worthless if I’m dead!
Hoy, seeing Isabella’s determined expression, realized she wasn’t bluffing–she was serious.
He issued a cold warning. “If you harm my daughter, I’ll make sure you suffer a terrible fate!”
But Isabella didn’t flinch. She picked up another needle and inserted it into Sarah’s body.
Hoy’s eyes turned bloodshot, like a beast ready to tear her apart.
Isabella ignored him and continued with the treatment, her hands moving faster and faster, her focus unwavering.
Hoy and Sarah stopped their yelling, their faces pale as they watched Isabella work.
“We can’t stop this now, they thought grimly.
Half an hour later, Isabella finally stopped. She lifted her head to meet Sarah’s despairing gaze and said softly, “Ms. Howerton,
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Chapter 30
try moving your fingers.”
Sarah didn’t want to acknowledge her, but her body betrayed her as her fingers twitched involuntarily.
Sarah was speechless.
This feeling of hating her yet having her body obediently follow her commands made Sarah feel uneasy.
Isabella gave an encouraging nod. “Now try moving your toes.”
Sarah scoffed internally, throwing Isabella a disdainful look. “My toes? My lower body’s been paralyzed for so long. A few needles won’t change that!”
But to b
her shock, her toes moved.
Sarah’s entire expression froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
She thought, ‘Did my toes really just move?‘
She tried again, wiggling her toes, and there it was – movement.
‘It worked” Sarah thought, overwhelmed by joy.
A flood of relief and happiness washed over her. I… I can move,” she stammered, her voice trembling with emotion.
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