The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella) novel Chapter 79

Jacob had no idea what to think as he made his way into the hospital Isabelle had mentioned in her text.

A family member in critical condition? She had never mentioned anything about anyone close to her being in the hospital to him. Was it an accident?

When he got to the reception, he realised he didn’t know who the patient was, so he couldn’t ask for directions. He brought out his phone and called her. She did not pick up. When he tried a second time, it went unanswered.

He wondered whether she was refusing to pick up because he was calling as Jacob. He used the number that she associated with Logan to call a third time. She didn’t pick up.

Realising he would have to scour the hospital for her, he made his way to the emergency wing. She was not there, so he got on the elevator and onto the first floor. He opened doors, looked through windows, perused wards, but she was nowhere.

As he made his way to the elevator to go higher, he tried calling her again. It went unanswered. By the time he got to the third floor, he was convinced something was terribly wrong.

His eyes widened when he caught sight of her familiar figure in the waiting room of the third floor. She was talking to a doctor, her back to him.

“Isabelle!” he called, rushing to her.

She turned to him, her eyes widening in shock. “Ja–Jacob?”

He took in her teary-eyed look and drew her into his arms instantly. She clung to him, her body trembling as a sob escaped her. He looked at the doctor she was talking to. “What happened?”

“I’m sorry, who are you?” the doctor asked.

“I’m her husband.”

“Oh. Sorry. Ruth Daniels has passed away. I was just explaining to your wife about her infection. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Ruth Daniels? Who was that?

He nodded anyway. “I’ve got her.”

The doctor nodded. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.” She left them and walked towards the nurses’ station.

Isabelle suddenly pulled herself from his embrace and turned away, wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry. You should go.”

He frowned and walked around to face her. “Go? When you are like this?” He took hold of her arm and urged her towards a chair in the waiting area. “Who is Ruth Daniels?”

She shook her head and escaped his hold again. “Please, Jacob. I can’t do this right now. Please leave. I’ll tell you everything later.”

He couldn’t understand why she thought he could leave her alone in her current state. “I’m not going anywhere, Isabelle.”

She broke into sobs again, pressing her face into her hands. His heart twisted seeing her like that, and he reached forward and pulled her back into his arms again.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, smoothing his hand over her hair. “I’m here. Let it out.”

And she let it out. She crumpled into his arms and sobbed into his shirt for a long time. He pulled her to a corner that provided some privacy and held her, soothing her as much as he could. They were in that position for a long time.

When she finally calmed down and he let her go, her eyes were swollen to their limits.

“I’ll take you home,” he offered.

She shook her head. “No. You don’t have to.”