Chapter 196

Isabella lay on the pillow, struggling to breathe, feeling like she was in hell from the pain.

The door opened, and a masked woman pushed in a food cart.

She moved slowly, eyes downcast. Even at the bedside, she didn't look at Isabella.

But Isabella knew her right away.

"Samantha?"

Samantha didn't react. She just placed the food and water on the bedside table, moving like a robot.

Isabella grabbed her arm. "Samantha, is it you?"

No response.

"Where am I? Why are you here? What happened? Where's my child?"

Isabella had a million questions, but Samantha acted like she couldn't hear, ignoring her completely.

After setting the food and water, Samantha sat down and started feeding Isabella.

She was like a machine, no emotion at all.

Isabella turned her head away.

How could she eat now?

"Samantha, say something." Then Isabella remembered Samantha's tongue had been cut out. She was mute.

"You can't talk, but you can gesture or write it down for me." Isabella looked at her hopefully.

But Samantha just kept feeding her, eyes empty, like a doll.

After a few minutes, seeing Isabella wouldn't eat, Samantha put the food away and pushed the cart out.

"Samantha!"

No matter how many times Isabella called, Samantha never stopped or looked back.

The door closed, leaving Isabella alone in the big, empty room.

It was eerily quiet.

Isabella's hand moved to her abdomen, now empty, with only a deep scar left.

Her child, where was her child?

Hospital.

When Nina woke up, she saw Margaret and Kelsey.

"Nina."

"Nina, you're finally awake!"

Nina felt groggy. "What happened to me? Why am I in the hospital?"

Margaret and Kelsey exchanged a sad, complicated look.

Nina suddenly remembered Isabella and last night. "Where's Bella? How is she? Did she have the baby? Boy or girl?"

Margaret's eyes filled with tears.

She turned away to wipe them.

Kelsey choked up. "Nina."

"What is it?" Nina felt a deep unease. "Did something happen to the baby?"

Kelsey shook her head but couldn't speak.

"Then what? Does Sebastian not like the baby?"

Kelsey shook her head, voice breaking. "Nina, that was three days ago."

"Three days ago?" Nina was stunned. "It was just last night!"

"It really has been three days. You've been unconscious for three days!" Kelsey's tears fell, and she quickly wiped them away. "The doctor said you had a concussion and almost didn't wake up!"

Nina frowned. "Really?"

But she didn't care about herself. She was only worried about Isabella. She grabbed Kelsey's hand. "How is Bella?"

Kelsey avoided her gaze, just crying harder.

"Why are you crying?" Nina's voice rose. "Did something happen to Bella?"

Kelsey bit her lip. "Isabella, she..."

Just then, the door opened.

Zaire walked in. He'd been waiting outside, listening. He knew Margaret and Kelsey couldn't say it, so he had to.

Zaire walked to the bedside. "Nina, brace yourself."

Nina forced a smile. "Why are you all so serious? If the baby is gone, it's gone. I just want Bella to be safe!"

Zaire, who never avoided anyone's gaze, couldn't look at Nina now. He lowered his head. "Isabella is dead."

Nina froze, sitting there in shock, silent for a long time.

"Nina." Kelsey hugged her, crying harder.

Nina pushed her away, speaking calmly. "I don't believe it. You must be lying. Bella must have asked you to trick me. It's some kind of surprise, right? Bella loves surprising me."

She got out of bed. "Where is she? I want to see her and the baby."

"Nina, you're still in treatment."

Ignoring this, Nina pulled out her IV, not caring about the bleeding, and walked out.

"Nina, you haven't put on your shoes!" Kelsey grabbed the shoes and chased after her.

As soon as Nina stepped out, two bodyguards stopped her. Zaire had arranged for them, fearing she'd run off.

When Nina struggled, Zaire walked over. "Nina, put on your shoes first. I'll take you to see her."

The elevator descended to the third basement level. When the doors opened, a chilling cold air hit them.

The word "Morgue" glowed in a ghastly red, sending shivers down their spines.

Nina had done many jobs, including working as a hospital attendant. She was most afraid of the morgue.

But today, she felt no fear.

At the door, Jack was standing guard. "Mr. Jose."

Zaire glanced inside. "Is Sebastian still in there?"

Jack nodded, the gesture heavy with meaning.

For three days and nights, Sebastian had stayed with Isabella's body, refusing to leave.

Zaire pushed the door open, and Nina walked in.

It was very cold inside, with drafts and cold mist everywhere.

The empty room was lit by a single lamp, focusing on the stretcher bed in the center.

The stretcher bed was empty, the white shroud on the floor, stained with blood.

Nina's gaze fell on the right-hand corner.

In that dark corner sat Sebastian, head drooping, shoulders hunched, holding a charred corpse, like an immovable stone statue.

Sebastian sat there, as if the world's troubles no longer concerned him.

Zaire walked over and softly called, "Sebastian?"

Sebastian didn't move.

When Zaire reached out to take the body, Sebastian tightened his arms, growling hoarsely, "Get away!"

He held the body even tighter, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world, refusing to let go.