Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317 A Secret Garden

When she returned to the vitha she noticed the outdoor lights were still on in the backyard.

She was quite tired that day. Having spent the afternoon with Linda, she hadn’t rested much, and the backlog of work from recent weeks had left her feeling drained.

Seeing the unexpected glow from the garden, she felt compelled to walk over.

The villa’s grounds had always been maintained by Susie.

Isabelle used to love sitting in the backyard rocking chair, reading or sketching. But since opening her studio, she hardly spent time there anymore. She’d come home, bury herself in her study, work until she was exhausted, and then fall straight asleep–those small pleasures had fallen by the wayside.

Tonight felt different.

When she reached the back patio, she saw Susie carefully watering the plants with a gentle spray from the hose.

“Susie,” Isabelle called out.

“Oh! Mrs. Cross, you’re back!” Susie quickly turned off the water, careful not to splash her. “Please don’t come any closer–the ground is wet and a bit slippery.”

Isabelle stayed where she was. She wasn’t really surveying the area, but something immediately caught her eye.

This section of the garden bed had once been filled with hydrangeas, but they had been entirely replaced by new plantings.

Tender green shoots were just breaking through the soil–the whole hydrangea bed had been changed out.

“What are these?” she asked, realizing the backyard had been quietly transformed.

Susie looked slightly uneasy, hesitating for a few seconds before answering, “These are tulip bulbs Mr. Cross planted a while ago. L heard the bulbs were specially shipped in from abroad. He stayed up most of the night putting them in–I only found out when he called me late to ask about care instructions.”

Susie had worked as a professional gardener before and knew her plants well.

Isabelle fell silent, her gaze drifting over the dark soil.

She vaguely remembered one night, half–asleep, noticing the space beside her in bed was empty. She’d assumed another overseas conference call had kept him away.

He had returned in the early hours, showered again, and slipped back under the covers

The next morning, he’d left for work early as usual.

He never mentioned a word about it

Susie continued, “Mr. Cross hasn’t been back these past few days, so he asked me to keep an eye on them. Today was especially sunny, so I thought I’d give them a deep watering tonight.”

“I see,” Isabelle responded softly “Thank you, Susie.”

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Chapter 317 A Secret Garden_

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“No trouble at all, Mrs. Cross!” Susie smiled and turned the water back on to finish.

Damian never hid his devotion to his wife, but lately, it seemed something had created a rift–and it felt more serious than a simple disagreement.

She didn’t dare ask, but she hoped they could resolve whatever misunderstanding lay between them soon.

They were such a rare, perfectly matched couple–it would be a genuine tragedy if they grew apart.

Isabelle’s thoughts drifted.

She had once said, offhandedly, that she wished her garden could be filled with rows of colorful tulips–that she wanted to wake up to their subtle scent every morning.

He had remembered.

The next morning, Isabelle had oatmeal for breakfast, and on the side, once again, ravioli.

This time, however, they looked far more presentable than the previous day’s attempt.

“How is it? Anything you’d like me to adjust?” Susie asked warmly.

Isabelle shook her head. “No need to change anything–it’s good. For tomorrow, I’d like some fresh milk, and maybe some simple sausage rolls if possible.”

Susie made a mental note.

After breakfast, Bruce drove Isabelle to the studio.

Damian woke up on the sofa in the CEO’s office at Cypher Group headquarters.

The glass door shattered the day before had already been replaced.

The executive suite was fully equipped–behind his desk was a spacious private apartment area, complete with a wet bar, a kitchenette, and, on the other side, his formal work space.

He washed his face at the sink, drying it with a towel while checking a message from Susie on his phone.

“Sausage rolls,” he murmured to himself.

He had no idea how to make sausage rolls.

Setting his phone down, a knock sounded at the door

“Mr. Cross, Dr. Murphy is here,” Dylan announced from the other side.

Damian, wearing only a pair of tailored trousers, walked over and opened the door

Outside stood a tall, stern faced man, followed by several younger medical residents

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Among them was a woman wearing light makeup who bore a striking resemblance to the older doctor the others were bare- faced, making her stand out.

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