Chapter 296

"Sebastian," Isabella held Sebastian tightly, "none of this is your fault. Adult marriages have nothing to do with children; children are innocent. Whether it's Charles or Anna, the consequences of their actions shouldn't fall on you."

Sebastian stared blankly at the ceiling. "Bella, I shouldn't exist."

"No!" Isabella gently kissed the corner of Sebastian's mouth. "I don't know how you were before, but from now on, you are my husband, Sweetie's father, and our support. Sebastian, I won't allow anything to happen to you!"

At the mention of Sweetie, a spark lit up in Sebastian's eyes. He looked at Isabella's tear-streaked face, his expression laden with guilt. "I'm sorry, Bella, for causing you worry. Rest assured. I will protect both you and Sweetie with all my heart."

Isabella said, "Yes, I believe you will."

The next morning, when Jack entered the room, he saw Sebastian and Isabella sleeping together on one bed, holding each other.

It was still early. They were still sleeping soundly, so Jack didn't disturb them. He quietly closed the door and left.

Jack went downstairs to buy breakfast. When he came back, he spotted a woman who looked vaguely familiar.

At the reception desk, a young woman in casual clothes clutched a child, her voice filled with worry. "Doctor, how is my child? Is she okay?"

The doctor said, "It's just a high fever seizure. Take her upstairs to rest, and she'll be fine after treatment."

"Okay, thank you, doctor." The woman then took the child to the elevator.

Jack didn't take the same elevator, but he was puzzled. 'Vanessa in Emerald Isle City?'

After Charlie's death, Sebastian had asked him to investigate Vanessa's whereabouts. Jack knew Vanessa had left Lakina, returned to her hometown, and got married. But he didn't expect Vanessa to have a child so soon.

Although the past was over, Jack still felt that Vanessa was always an unpleasant memory and it was best not to let her meet Sebastian and Isabella. Therefore, Jack didn't mention this matter in front of them.

Sebastian was in good spirits today, probably because Isabella's comfort last night was quite effective. He had once again regained his former decisiveness and efficiency.

The three of them had breakfast in the hospital room and then went to the police station to handle the paperwork. They signed a bunch of documents and had to do a paternity test at last.

After wasting the whole morning, Isabella was a bit anxious. "Can we see the child first?"

The police said, "The adoptive parents were exceptionally vigilant and resolute, as they possessed the legal adoption papers.They strongly request a paternity test. Once the results show that you are the biological parents, even if they are unwilling, we will forcibly bring the child to you."

Although anxious, everything had to follow the procedure. Isabella had no choice but to nod helplessly. "Okay."

Leaving the police station, Isabella was still a bit distracted.

Sebastian squeezed her hand. "Do you want to see Sweetie?"

Isabella looked at him. "Yes, but."

"I'll take you to see her. How about that?" Sebastian's eyes were gentle. He lightly brushed her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Isabella's eyes lit up. "You have a way?"

Sebastian smiled slightly. "What could be difficult for me?"

Isabella was confused, "But the police station said."

Sebastian said, " Before coming, I had someone check the adoptive parents' address. We can go there now."

Isabella's spirits lifted again. "Right, why didn't I think of that?"

The rules didn't allow them to go, but they could secretly go see Sweetie.

Just seeing Sweetie and knowing she was okay would put Isabella's mind at ease, even if they had to wait a few more days.

Jack drove to an old neighborhood. As soon as they reached the entrance, a man was already standing there, looking around as if waiting for something.

Jack drove over and rolled down the window. "Are you Mr. Montgomery?"

"Yes, yes." Maximilian Montgomery nodded quickly. "Are you Mr. Brown?"

"That's me." Jack nodded. "Can we go in now?"

"Yes, follow me." Maximilian said, turning to lead the way into the neighborhood. When passing the security booth, Maximilian specifically greeted the security guard, probably saying they were his relatives, so the security guard let the car pass.

At the same time, Maximilian glanced back at the license plate, a puzzled look on his face.

When the car was parked, Isabella and the others got out, and Maximilian asked, "Who are these two?"

Jack explained, "This is my boss and his wife. They are here to see the house today."

"Oh, I see." Maximilian nodded. "I noticed your license plate is from out of town?"

"Yes." Jack nodded. "Our boss is setting up a branch here. He doesn't come often, but when he does, he doesn't like staying in hotels. So, he thought of buying an old house, renovating it a bit, and staying there for a night or two. When he arrived in the area, he happened to see that you were selling a house nearby, so we decided to come and have a look."

Maximilian found this reasonable and had no more doubts. The conversation then shifted to the house.

Isabella listened for a while before understanding. Weren't they here to see Sweetie? How did it turn into looking at a house?

But it wasn't convenient to ask at the moment, so Isabella suppressed her doubts and followed them upstairs.

It was an old building without an elevator. Maximilian lived on the fourth floor. The stairwell was relatively clean, with open windows and no unpleasant odors. At Maximilian's door, a brown door came into view, with a fluffy rabbit toy hanging on it.

The cute rabbit toy seemed out of place on the old door, and didn't quite match Maximilian's simple, middle-aged appearance.

As Maximilian saw the rabbit, his eyes softened. While unlocking the door, he explained somewhat embarrassedly, "My daughter likes this, so we bought her many. My wife hung one on the door. "Pardon the clutter."

"Not at all," Jack said, "I didn't expect Maximilian to be such a loving father."

Maximilian smiled, his face radiating happiness and contentment.

Isabella thought, ' He really seems to love his daughter.'

The door swung open, revealing precisely what Maximilian had described. The house was teeming with rabbit plushies-strewn across the coffee table, scattered on the sofa, and even perched atop the cabinet near the entrance.

Maximilian handed them shoe covers. "My wife likes to keep things tidy. Sorry for the trouble."

As soon as he finished speaking, a baby's cry came from inside the house.

Maximilian told them to look around and hurriedly went to the inner room to check on the baby.

Isabella put on the shoe covers and exchanged a glance with Sebastian. Could this be Sweetie's adoptive parents' home?

Sebastian nodded slightly.

At that moment, Maximilian came out, holding a baby bottle, and hurried to the kitchen to prepare formula. As he went about this task, his attentiveness was astonishing. The cautious way he executed every step portrayed him as a loving and tender father.

Isabella thought,' if Sweetie had spent the past few months in this home, at least she would have been happy and loved, not suffering.'

"Maximilian, what are you doing? Why isn't it ready yet? Look how hungry our Abby is," a woman's voice called out. Mira Nakamura, a woman in her middle years, emerged from the inner room with a child in her arms. Upon seeing the people inside the house, she abruptly fell silent.