Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 309

Chapter 309 Isabelle Leaves the Family Home

The car soon pulled up in front of the design studio.

“I’ll go in now,” Isabelle said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

“Isabelle.” Regina quickly reached out and took her hand.

The woman in her fifties had aged gracefully, though perhaps from several sleepless nights, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes seemed more pronounced than usual.

“Damian, he…” The typically cheerful woman’s eyes suddenly welled up, and heavy tears rolled down her cheeks.

She didn’t finish the sentence.

Isabelle gave her hand a gentle pat. “Please take care of yourself. Try not to worry too much.”

She wanted to say more to offer comfort but then realized she was probably the one in greater need of it. Not wanting both of them to dwell in the misery, she decisively stepped out of the car.

She closed the door and stood on the curb.

Regina wiped her tears away, her hands trembling slightly on the steering wheel. She remained parked outside the studio for several long minutes before finally driving off–toward the hospital.

Damian had been rushed there immediately after collapsing the night before.

He was running a high fever, nearly 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and it still hadn’t broken. He lay sprawled across the hospital bed, drifting in and out of consciousness.

His upper body was bare, revealing lash marks severe enough to make anyone’s stomach turn. The thick scents of antiseptic and iodine hung heavily in the air.

Louis had been keeping vigil by his side, listening to him mumble “don’t leave” and “no divorce” all night long.

It didn’t sit right with Louis either. The scene felt all too familiar, reminiscent of five years ago when Damian lay in a hospital bed, unable to move his legs, his spirit nearly broken along with his body.

Louis didn’t dare call Isabelle, afraid she might refuse to come. If Damian heard that, it would likely shatter what little will he had left.

“Hasn’t he woken up yet?” Regina asked softly, standing beside Louis, her eyes still red–rimmed.

Louis put an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry too much. He’s tough. With injuries like these, the fever should break in a couple of days.”

“He’s your own son. How could you be so harsh?” Regina murmured, discreetly wiping another tear against his shirt.

“If I had gotten to him first, I might have broken his legs right then and there, no questions asked,” Louis stated bluntly, showing no leniency.

He was his flesh and blood, but Isabelle was his daughter–in–law, carrying the next generation of the Cross family.

He was the one who had messed up. Who else should face the consequences?

“But the whole story is even cleat yet,” Regina said, her eyes filled with pain.

Punishment was one thing, but this was simply too severe.

In this heat, if they’d been any later, the wounds could have gotten seriously infected.

“Then it serves him right. What good are looks if all you do is cause trouble?”

Brian knew he was in the wrong.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered telling her, but with Diana’s temper, the conversation would have spiraled. He just wanted to verify the situation himself first before giving her a proper explanation. He hadn’t counted on them finding out so quickly.

“Come on, you know I’ve been swamped. But my feelings are real. Don’t be mad, okay?”

“You don’t like me, this was a scam, Brian. You got what you wanted and checked out.” Diana was steaming. “At least players have the decency to be charming. With your game, you’re more like a drowned possum. And you have the nerve to play with my feelings? Please.”

She hung up and tossed her phone onto the desk.

Only then did she notice Isabelle standing nearby, watching her with a faint, weary smile.

“Rough patch with him?” Isabelle asked, having a pretty good idea,

Diana let out a sharp, dismissive laugh. “Not worth the drama. It was just a casual thing anyway. Feelings are exhausting. Men are never reliable. I was just passing the time.”

She didn’t realize how her words, sharp and raw, landed on Isabelle’s ears.

Feelings are exhausting.

Men are never reliable.

Diana suddenly caught herself and clamped her mouth shut.

Isabelle’s eyes grew moist. She offered a quiet smile and didn’t reply.