The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella) novel Chapter 87

Isabelle had thought she knew what heartbreak felt like. But even when she had caught her ex in bed with her sister, it hadn’t hurt this way. Not even close.

All of a sudden, sitting at the kitchen table with her shoulders drooped and her sobbing face in her hands, she realised the true extent of her feelings for Jacob.

All along, she had held her feelings for him back because she had known she was lying to him. She hadn’t allowed herself to take a moment to feel their depth. Now…they hit her like a tornado.

She was in love with her pretend husband.

But it didn’t matter, because she had lost him.

She had known from the beginning he didn’t belong to her. She had known a day would come when her deception would come between them. And, she had known she would hate hurting him. But she hadn’t thought she would be left with a broken heart.

She squeezed her eyes shut as an image of the photo Naomi had sent her shuttled through her mind’s eye. She couldn’t stand it. She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him with her sister.

The one man who had shown her so much care, with the woman who hated her more than anything in the world? It was too bitter a pill to swallow. Too much. She had to leave.

Go away, forget about them. If she stayed, she didn’t know how she could have a peace of mind. Heavens only knew what Naomi would do if she found out Isabelle was carrying Jacob’s child.

“I’m sorry, baby,” she whispered softly, pressing her palm to her stomach. “I think it has to be just you and me. Don’t worry, mama will work hard. As long as we are happy.”

She had lost Ruth, who had felt close to her like a real family. But she wasn’t alone anymore. Now she had her baby. Her real family. Who would never desert her. They would always have each other.

Breathing shakily, she rose from her seat and went to the bathroom. It was already late. She had to go back to her place. Then she had to start thinking about what to do once again. She wished she hadn’t withdrawn her resignation earlier that day. She should have waited until she found out what Jacob’s reaction was. But now, it didn’t matter, did it?

When she went back to the kitchen, she found that she had a missed call from Seth. There was also a message alerting her that she had a voicemail. Sitting down, she dialled to listen to the message.

‘Hello, Isabelle. Did you get home safely? Have you eaten? About what I told you about in the morning…about moving with me, I wanted to tell you that the company is opening a new office in X city. I’ve been offered a promotion to become the COO over there. So I have to move. If you felt like you’d be troubling me by accepting my offer…just know I’m moving soon anyway, so it won’t be any trouble to me at all. Isabelle…I just want you to be happy. I’m also choosing a team of five to take with me. I can help you get a transfer so you can keep your job. I understand if you want to stay close to the baby’s father. Just…please think about it, Isabelle. I won’t bother you about this issue again. Goodnight.’

Isabelle swallowed as Seth’s message ended. She had promised herself to not take advantage of his concern for her.

But if she could get a transfer, even if through his assistance, then she could start a new life in a new city without having to depend on anyone. Without having to put her baby through unnecessary struggle.

Taking a deep breath, she typed a message in response.

***

After sixteen days in a coma, Jacob opened his eyes. Kevin was sitting on a sofa in the private ward, flipping through a business magazine when his boss’s scratchy voice reached him.

“Isa…Bella?”

Kevin shot to his feet, the magazine tumbling from his hands. He rushed to Jacob’s bedside and couldn’t believe it when he found the man looking back at him. Looking, and talking.

“Where is Isabelle?”

Talking and forming complete sentences.

“Sir, I’ll…I’ll call the nurse right away.” He proceeded to press the call button. “Please sir, don’t move,” he said frantically as Jacob tried to get up.

The door opened and the nurse rushed in. “Is something wrong?” Before he could answer, she saw that Jacob was up and trying to move. “Oh my God, you are awake. Perfect. I’ll get the doctor right away,” she said, taking out a pager. “While he gets here, please tell me how you are feeling, sir.”

Kevin stepped back as the nurse got busy asking questions and checking Jacob’s monitor. But even as he moved back, Jacob’s eyes followed him. “What are you doing here, Kevin? I asked you to keep an eye on Isabelle.”

Kevin wondered whether he knew he had been in a coma for over two weeks.

“Your reflexes are good,” the nurse commented, “that’s good. That’s very good.”