Chapter 19 Confrontation in White Walls
Chapter 19 Confrontation in White Walls
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“It’s complicated. His overall health isn’t what it used to be,” Harry said with a frown. “Has he eaten anything very spicy recently?”
Isabella thought for a moment. “Extremely spicy peppers?” She had given him those ghost peppers last night. That certainty qualified,
Harry nodded in understanding. “That’s likely the trigger. For him, capsaicin–the compound in hot peppers–and alcohol can each cause an acute hypersensitivity reaction. Even small amounts of both together can overload his system. He’s been dealing with some immune dysregulation.”
Just then, they reached the treatment bay. Harry gave Isabella a quick nod before following the nurses inside.
Watching the “In Treatment” light switch on, Isabella felt an unwelcome pang of guilt.
She was the one who had given him the peppers. And Xavier had drunk that wine today partly because of the scene she’d created.
But she didn’t understand. Xavier was always so calculated, so cautious. Knowing it was a deliberate trap, why had he walked right into it? Had his health declined so much, or had his famously sharp instincts dulled?
An hour later, Isabella returned to the hospital carrying a bag of fresh fruit. Xavier had been moved to a private room and was receiving an IV infusion.
Before leaving earlier, she had called Jacob to explain the situation. He was now stationed outside the room.
Seeing Isabella, Jacob hurried over and reached for the bag.
“How is he?” Isabella asked, moving toward the door.
Jacob subtly shifted to block her path. “He’s stable. Dr. Ashford said after this course of IV medication and overnight observation, he should be ready for discharge tomorrow.”
“Is someone with him?” Isabella sensed his reluctance.
While Jacob was still searching for a response, she stepped around him. Through the door’s narrow window, her suspicion was confirmed–Linda was inside.
The woman was leaning close to the bedside. From Isabella’s vantage point, the scene looked intimate.
“Mrs. Moore, Ms. Allen just arrived to check on Mr. Moore. She won’t be long,” Jacob said nervously. “You must be tired. Perhaps you’d like to rest? I can bring these in and keep you updated.”
“That won’t be necessary. It’s not as if I’m particularly invested in his recovery,” Isabella said with a cold smile. Before Jacob could react, she took the fruit bag back from him and pushed the door open.
The abrupt entrance made Linda startle and turn. Isabella immediately saw that Linda was holding Xavier’s hand–the one with the IV line.
A flicker of something like surprise crossed Xavier’s eyes before he withdrew his hand.
“You could have knocked,” he said, his voice low.
Isabella was so affronted she almost laughed. After all the running around she’d done–without so much as a thank you–she was
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Chapter 19 Confrontation in White Walls
the one being treated like an interruption.
Jacob hovered in the doorway, his anxiety palpable.
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“The mood seemed so… delicate. I was afraid knocking might ruin it,” Isabella said, placing the fruit on the bedside cabinet. “Please, don’t let me stop you. I was just leaving.” She aimed a sharp, mocking smile at Xavier.
“I’m glad to see you’re conscious. After all, I’m the one who hauled you here, sat alone outside the treatment room, and then walked half an hour to find a decent produce market for these.” She gestured to the bag. “It would be a shame if all that effort was for nothing.”
Her words, laced with sarcasm, made Xavier’s expression shift from pale to flushed.
She was clearly calling him out for his lack of acknowledgment.
Having said her piece, Isabella turned to leave, but Xavier’s sharp voice stopped her. “Wait.”
“What is it, Mr. Moore? Need me to schedule something?” She glanced at her watch. “I’m afraid I’m almost off the clock.”
Xavier pressed his lips together briefly. “I just woke up,” he stated coldly. “She is here because several meetings for this afternoon require rescheduling.”
Was that… an explanation?
Isabella was taken aback. Since when did Xavier feel the need to justify himself?
Had he finally developed a sense of propriety about being found with his former flame by his current wife?
This sudden attempt at propriety only disgusted her more.
“Isabella, please don’t misunderstand…” Linda had collected herself and stood up, speaking softly. “I only just arrived. The dressing on his IV was coming loose, I was just helping to secure it.”
“Ms. Allen, you don’t owe me an explanation. After all, I’m Mrs, Moore,” Isabella said with a thin smile. “Even if I were the jealous type, I certainly wouldn’t waste it on someone who’s spent the last five years in a… undefined role.”
Linda’s face went white.
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