Cheated Once Cherished Forever: The Billionaire's Bride novel Chapter 105

As soon as Isabella and Theodore got in the car, she asked, "What did you find out?"

At her question, the air inside the car grew tense, and Theodore fell silent.

When Isabella glanced at him, his grim expression told her everything she needed to know. Still, she said nothing, only turning to look out the window as she waited in silence.

After what felt like an eternity, Theodore finally said, "Bella, I'll send Queenie overseas. She won't be coming back. Will that be enough?"

So, it really was Queenie.

A wry smile tugged at Isabella's lips as she kept her gaze on the passing scenery. The dappled light fell across her face, yet it couldn't dispel the chill within her. Without realizing it, her fingers twisted the hem of her shirt.

"Send her overseas? And then what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Theodore gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles went white. There was a hint of compromise in his voice as he said, "She won't show up in front of you again, and she won't meddle in our lives anymore. Bella, I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Isabella chuckled dryly and finally turned to face him. Her eyes seemed vacant, save for the faintest glimmer of mockery.

"It's fine. I'm not really upset. I've long since grown used to it. I've been living with disappointment all my life, after all," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Theodore's grip on the wheel tightened further, and a sharp pang struck his chest.

"Bella…"

His Adam's apple bobbed. He wanted to speak, but no words came.

Isabella turned back to the window, her voice tinged with weariness as she asked, "Theodore, if this ends here, will whatever you have with Queenie finally be over?"

Theodore went still, while she pressed on, "Will you cut her out of your life?"

The silence in the car grew heavier until even the hum of the engine seemed unnervingly loud.

Theodore studied Isabella's profile. Suddenly, he realized that something had shattered the day Queenie acted. No matter how hard he tried, it could never be pieced back together.

…

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Queenie stormed back into her ward and smashed everything in a fit of rage. The nurses stood watching at the door, not daring to step inside or intervene.

Just then, Queenie's phone rang. She dug it out from the wreckage, and the moment she saw Theodore's name on the screen, her fury ebbed away. She steadied herself, then answered. "Hello, Theodore."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"Theodore, d-did you leave? Are you coming over?" Queenie asked, her voice brimming with hope. She thought he was calling to comfort her, just as he always had before.

As soon as the call ended, he sent Queenie's ID number to Emma.

Beside him, Isabella noticed he didn't even need to check. Theodore knew Queenie's ID number by heart. A pang of jealousy stirred in her. She wasn't even sure what prompted her, but suddenly, she asked, "Theodore, do you think I look like Queenie?"

Theodore froze. A moment later, he put his phone away and turned to Isabella. After a long, steady look, he said, "You two are different."

Silence settled between them. Then, Isabella smiled. "You're right. We're not the same."

"Bella, you don't need to compare yourself to her," Theodore added.

Isabella thought it was true. After all, there was nothing worth comparing.

At that moment, Theodore's phone rang. He took it out and saw Yannick's name on the screen.

Yannick and the others were friends he had grown up with. They didn't always see eye to eye, but the years they shared bound them together.

The instant Theodore picked up, Henry's excited voice burst through. "Theo! We're at the usual place. Get over here! Can you believe it's Nick's birthday today? We all forgot, and he didn't even say a word! Hurry up! We're waiting for you!"

Theodore instinctively glanced at Isabella.

With Henry's booming voice, there was no way she could pretend she hadn't heard a word. She could only muster a magnanimous smile and nod.