Cheated Once Cherished Forever: The Billionaire's Bride novel Chapter 156

The car drove for a long time before finally coming to a stop.

Isabella heard Caleb say, "We're here, Mrs. Sinclair."

She looked up and glanced outside, momentarily stunned.

Outside stretched a sky full of stars. Their car had stopped on a wide mountaintop platform, untouched by the neon glare of the city lights. The dark blue sky above looked just like it was from one of her paintings.

Isabella remembered that her very first painting had been a depiction of a starry sky. That painting was later bought by a mysterious patron, who then went on to support her in her art career and became her benefactor.

If it weren't for that person, Isabella would not have made it this far.

Theodore was still asleep. Since the night was still long, he would be able to see the starry sky whenever he woke up. Isabella decided not to wake him.

Still, the sound of Caleb getting out of the car woke Theodore. He opened his eyes, not showing any trace of sleepiness. He checked the time and then turned to her.

"Bella, happy birthday. Just made it in time for the last minute of the day." As soon as he finished speaking, the clock struck midnight.

Her birthday was over.

Isabella got out of the car with him and smiled. "I really like your gift."

She spread her arms wide, as if she could reach out and touch the twinkling stars. The sight was breathtaking.

"You like it?" he asked.

She nodded. "I do. The first thing I ever painted was the starry sky. I thought of the stars I saw while I was in the orphanage, which was also nestled in the mountains. The stars there were just as beautiful as they are here."

"Do you want to go back and take a look?"

Isabella shook her head. "The orphanage is gone now. That painting was my last memory of the place. After it was sold, everything about that place started to fade."

"Do you want to get that painting back?"

"No," Isabella said with a smile. "It was bought by my mysterious benefactor. I would never take it back from them. Besides, after all these years, that painting has probably been thrown away... I wasn't good at painting back then, and it really wasn't worth keeping."

Theodore reassured her, saying, "I'm sure it's still around. You've always had a gift for painting."

Her face lit up at his words. She took a few steps forward to the edge of the viewing platform, spreading her arms wide to enjoy the gentle of the night breeze. With fall setting in, the breeze carried a soft chill.

At that moment, a warm embrace enveloped her from behind, pulling her small figure against his broad chest.

She felt a sudden warmth in her heart.

Before she could finish, his lips found hers, kissing her deeply and with more passionately in the cool night.

Isabella had always enjoyed the way he kissed her. He would start gently with the soft sucking and licking of her lips, then it would gradually turn more passionate and intense. She felt as if the air around her was being pulled away.

Just as she felt like she was about to suffocate, Theodore pulled back, allowing her to catch her breath before he used his tongue to part her lips again. His tongue invaded her mouth and explored brazenly.

Isabella always found herself feeling lightheaded and dazed by his kisses. Her soft tongue was teased into mingling with his, creating passionate sounds that made her heart race and cheeks flush.

"Theodore... Don't..." Isabella finally managed to find her voice.

Theodore paused and quietly asked, "Are you scared?"

Isabella nodded.

He said softly, "This is your punishment."

"What's the reason for the punishment?" Her eyes shimmered with confusion as she looked into his.

Facing such a gaze, even if it wasn't actually intended as a punishment, Theodore found it hard to bear. He closed his eyes for a moment and said, "Alexander, along with that junior of yours."