Landon is deeply distressed by Isla’s broken state, seeing her drained and overwhelmed by pain. Despite his attempts to calm her, she clings to a bottle of tequila, drinking relentlessly as if trying to numb her suffering. When the bottle runs out, she demands more, but Landon intervenes, replacing her drink with warm lemon water. Isla drinks it quietly before collapsing into exhaustion and falling unconscious on the sofa.
Worried and unable to help her further, Landon calls Gabriel, Isla’s husband, asking him to come and take care of her. Gabriel arrives quickly, finding Isla fragile and asleep. He carefully gathers her in his arms, showing deep concern and tenderness. As he drives her home, his thoughts reveal his anxiety over her disappearance and his determination to protect their marriage despite the difficulties and distance growing between them.
Gabriel reflects on the interference of his mother and Delphine, who have caused turmoil in his relationship with Isla. Though he acknowledges the pain and resentment between them, he vows to fight for their marriage and never abandon his wife. As Isla murmurs his name in her sleep, Gabriel reassures her gently, though she remains unresponsive, lost in exhaustion.
Once home, Gabriel places Isla in their bedroom and stays by her side throughout the night, unable to rest himself. His protective care contrasts with the turmoil within him, especially regarding the secret of Delphine’s pregnancy and his fear that Isla may not believe the truth about it. The chapter ends with Gabriel grappling with the uncertainty of how to confront this painful issue while trying to keep their marriage intact.
Landon couldn’t stand witnessing the shattered state Isla was in. She appeared utterly drained, as if all her strength, patience, and sanity had been stripped away in one cruel blow. No matter how often he tried to calm her or reason with her, she refused to listen. The tequila bottle was a permanent fixture in her hand, and she kept drinking relentlessly, as though trying to drown every painful thought swirling in her mind.
When the bottle was finally empty, Isla didn’t hesitate. She raised her hand and demanded another round. Landon’s heart clenched painfully at the sight. He knew he couldn’t let her continue down this destructive path.
Despite his efforts to intervene, Isla resisted him fiercely, her stubbornness making it clear she was determined to hurt herself. When the waiter arrived with the next drink, it was only a glass of tequila, not a full bottle. But before Isla could bring it to her lips, Landon quickly signaled the waiter to replace it with warm lemon water instead.
To his relief, Isla actually drank it without protest. For once, she didn’t argue or push back. She swallowed the warm liquid slowly, and only then did her body give in to exhaustion. She slumped heavily onto the sofa, her limbs limp, and within moments, her eyelids fluttered shut as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Landon exhaled deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He pulled his phone from his pocket, scrolling until he found Gabriel’s number. With a heavy heart, he pressed call and waited. The phone rang once before his younger brother answered.
“Please, come get your wife. She’s here at my club,” Landon said, his voice steady but weary. Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.
Gabriel didn’t hesitate for a second. The moment he heard those words, he dropped everything and rushed to Landon’s club. When he arrived, Isla was already deeply asleep on the sofa, her body stretched out and limp, her arm dangling loosely as if she had battled herself and lost.
“What happened to her?” Gabriel asked, concern etched across his face.
Landon stood nearby, hands resting on his hips, shaking his head slowly. “She drank too much tequila. I gave her some warm lemon water to help with dehydration. Please, take care of her. She’s incredibly strong, but right now, she’s falling apart.”
Gabriel nodded, his jaw tightening as he looked down at Isla’s fragile face. Without a word, he bent down, picked up her phone, and slipped it into her clutch. Then, with utmost care, he lifted her from the sofa, cradling her gently in his arms in a protective embrace. Before leaving, he gave Landon a silent nod of thanks.
Carrying Isla to his car, Gabriel settled her carefully into the passenger seat, adjusting the seat so she could recline more comfortably. He fastened the seatbelt around her and closed the door softly. Once behind the wheel, the car glided smoothly onto the road.
As he drove, Gabriel’s eyes never strayed far from her. Even when the traffic lights changed and other cars passed by, his gaze always returned to Isla’s peaceful face. His heart was heavy with worry but also lightened by relief. He had been searching for her—restless, anxious, calling out her name. Thomas had told him she hadn’t come to his place, and none of the maids had seen her leave the house. Gabriel had called her phone countless times, but there was no answer.
He had reached out to Magdalene and Sofie as well, but neither had seen or heard from her. Every unanswered call tightened the knot of fear in his chest. So when Landon’s call finally came, a wave of relief washed over him, even though the reason for the call pierced him deeply.
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, Gabriel silently vowed with every beat of his heart that he would never let her slip away. He could feel the distance in her silence, the coldness in the way she turned away from him. Yes, he was certain she hated him now. But even if that was true, he would fight with everything he had to save their marriage.
His mother and Delphine had crossed a line. They could scheme and speak ill of Isla all they wanted, but Gabriel would never abandon his wife. He would always stand by her side—that was his promise.
The chapter closes on a somber note, revealing the depths of Isla’s despair and the tender care Gabriel offers despite the fractures in their relationship. Her vulnerability, marked by exhaustion and emotional turmoil, contrasts sharply with Gabriel’s steadfast commitment to protect and support her. Their silent, shared pain underscores the complexity of love tested by betrayal and misunderstanding, yet it also hints at the possibility of healing through unwavering devotion.
Gabriel’s quiet vigil by Isla’s side embodies the resilience of their bond, even as external forces threaten to unravel it. His internal struggle, torn between loyalty to family and his love for Isla, adds a poignant layer to the narrative. In this fragile moment of stillness, the chapter captures the essence of hope mingled with uncertainty—a delicate balance between the past’s shadows and the uncertain promise of reconciliation.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile state of Isla’s heart and the complex emotions swirling around Gabriel. As he stands guard over her, torn between hope and despair, readers will witness the delicate balance between love and mistrust that threatens to unravel their marriage. The shadows cast by family secrets and misunderstandings grow longer, hinting at the emotional storms yet to come.
Gabriel’s inner turmoil and unwavering resolve to protect his marriage set the stage for poignant confrontations and heartfelt revelations. The question of truth and belief looms large, creating a tension that will test the bonds between husband and wife. As Isla begins to awaken, the reader can anticipate a mixture of vulnerability and strength, with both characters struggling to navigate the chasms that have formed between them. The next chapter will be a turning point, where unspoken feelings and hidden motives start to surface, promising an emotionally charged journey ahead.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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