Countdown to "I Do" novel Chapter 23

**Midnight Roads Unseen by George Orwell**
**Chapter 23**

Adrian squeezed his eyes shut, immersing himself in a bubble of denial, desperately pretending he couldn’t hear the world around him. The silence of his mind was a refuge, yet his body betrayed him. The way his thin lips pressed tightly together was a telltale sign of the storm brewing within.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally peeled his eyelids apart, revealing a gaze filled with determination. His voice, steady and unwavering, cut through the tension in the air. “I’m not giving up. Isabella has loved me for so long. If I just keep trying, one day she’ll see how deeply I feel, and perhaps she’ll change her mind.”

Julian, witnessing Adrian’s stubborn resolve, felt a wave of resignation wash over him. He understood that no matter how persuasive he tried to be, Adrian’s mind was set like concrete. It was best to let him tread this path, even if it led to inevitable regret.

With a heavy sigh, Julian turned his attention to Ella’s surgical records, his voice measured as he began to speak. “The kidney that belonged to Isabella has been removed from Ella’s body. It’s currently being preserved at the hospital.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “The Vance family has abandoned her now. She’ll need to continue dialysis to survive, which means her life is going to be incredibly challenging moving forward.”

Adrian nodded, a grim satisfaction settling over him. “Thanks.”

After expressing his gratitude, he abruptly yanked out his IV tube, collected Isabella’s kidney, hastily packed a few belongings, and set off for Denver once more.

Upon arriving in Denver, Adrian was met with an overwhelming sight: every large outdoor screen was broadcasting his apology video, a spectacle that held the attention of countless onlookers.

“Isabella, I love you. It’s just a shame that I realized it too late. I’ve hurt you more times than I can count, but I owe you this apology.” His voice resonated with raw emotion. “I’m sorry. I love you.”

“Every place we visited together, every little thing you did for me when you loved me—I’ve retraced our steps, one by one.” He leaned into the camera, his sincerity palpable. “Look, I’ve added a new wish to your tree. I replaced the Love Lock on the Love Bridge. You used to make wishes for me, and now I’ve filled a whole tree with wishes for you.”

“I brought your kidney back, too. I won’t let it be wasted on someone meaningless. If you hate me for what I did to our baby, you can hit me, curse me, do whatever you want. I’ll atone for our loss. I’m begging you, just come back to me, Isabella.”

In the video, the strikingly handsome Adrian knelt, his expression a mixture of anguish and hope. One hand held a diamond ring, while the other clutched the box containing the kidney, a grotesque symbol of their shattered dreams.

Isabella, watching from a distance, felt no flicker of emotion. Instead, a wave of laughter bubbled up within her, tinged with disgust. How could he claim to love her now, after all these years of indifference? His newfound affection felt cheap, a mere reaction to the chaos surrounding Ella.

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