Chapter 347

Hospital.

After the doc did his rounds, a couple of cops rolled in and took a quick statement.

Isabella, all chill, asked about Siena and found out from the cops that Siena was locked up for intentional injury. Lucky for Esme, her injuries weren't too bad, but whether to press charges or not was up to Esme.

Esme was like, "I'll think about it."

The cops nodded and Quentin showed them out.

"Bella," Esme grabbed Isabella's hand, pulling her to sit by the bed. "You thinking about letting Siena off the hook?"

Isabella was caught off guard, not expecting Esme to be so blunt.

Esme gave her a smile. "If that knife had hit you, no way I'd let her off easy. I know about her and Sebastian, and how she put herself on the line for you before. I get that you feel like you owe her. If you wanna pay her back, I'll back you up."

Isabella shook her head. "You don't need to put yourself out for us. Just let things play out."

Esme said, "Bella, I'm your mom. Your stuff and Sebastian's stuff are my stuff too. How can I not care?"

Isabella looked down. "Siena's way too intense. Lucky you're okay this time. If something had happened to you, no one could save her. Maybe this'll teach her a lesson. So, Esme, don't worry about me and Sebastian. We won't butt in. Whatever you decide, we're cool with it."

Esme looked at Isabella, her eyes all mixed up, and finally sighed. "Bella, won't you call me mom?"

Even though Esme had been in the hospital for days and Isabella visited every day, chatting and all, Isabella never called her mom.

This made Esme feel kinda off. She really wanted to hear Isabella call her mom. But she got that Isabella needed time and she couldn't push it.

Right then, Quentin walked in with a young guy in a suit carrying a briefcase.

Quentin said, "Mom, Bella, this is attorney Gerald Morgan."

Esme's face changed a bit. "Why'd you get a lawyer so fast? Didn't we say we'd wait till I got better?"

Quentin said, "We gotta deal with this sooner or later, and dragging it out ain't good. Mr. Morgan was in Silvercrest and came here just for your case."

Esme frowned. "No rush. Let's wait till I'm better."

Isabella glanced at her. For some reason, she felt like Esme was dodging Gerald. Or maybe she was dodging Quentin's plan.

Isabella thought Quentin would tell Gerald to leave after Esme said that, but he didn't. Quentin paused and said, "I've been keeping this injury thing on the down-low. To avoid Bruno finding out, I called Mr. Morgan. You still have a choice now, but if Bruno Black sends someone, it'll be out of our hands. Mom, think it over."

Quentin's last line had a bit of a threat to it.

Esme's eyes flickered, and she softened up.

But Isabella could still tell she wasn't too happy.

Isabella turned to Quentin and Gerald. "She just switched meds and gave her statement to the cops. She hasn't had a chance to rest. Mr. Black, can Aunt Esme get a quick break before talking to Mr. Morgan?"

Quentin stared at her for a few seconds, then nodded. "Alright."

He gave Gerald a look, and Gerald nodded and left.

Quentin grabbed his coat from the sofa, said he had something to handle, and took off.

As soon as he was gone, Esme let out a big sigh and totally relaxed.

Isabella saw it all but didn't say anything. She just grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and started peeling it.

Esme watched her, feeling like time slowed down, and she started to feel more patient and calm.

Isabella cut the apple into small pieces, put them on a plate, and handed it to Esme.

Esme sighed. "It's rare to see someone so gentle after growing up without parents."

"My personality's mostly thanks to Nina," Isabella said.

Esme nodded. "Yeah. You and Nina have had it tough all these years."

In the afternoon, Sebastian came to pick up Isabella, bringing a fruit basket and flowers for Esme.

Esme smiled. "We're family. No need to be so formal."

Sebastian glanced at Isabella and said, "You're our elder. It's only right to show respect."

Isabella stood up, brushed some water droplets off his shoulder, and glanced at the gray window. "Is it raining hard?"

Sebastian held her hand, his voice soft. "Not really. There was a traffic jam downstairs, so I didn't let Jack drive in. I walked over and got a bit wet. No big deal."

As he spoke, his fingers gently rubbed Isabella's, warming her hands.

Esme watched them, feeling comforted by their love.

She glanced out the window and said, "It's getting late. You still have to take care of Sweetie when you get home. You should go."

Sebastian said, "No rush. I already sent Sweetie to the Jose family. Bella and I will have dinner with you tonight."

There was a restaurant downstairs, but considering Esme's health, Sebastian had the food delivered directly.

Esme was staying in the fanciest suite, which had a dining room, living room, and even a kitchen outside the hospital room. All the appliances were top-notch.

The three of them had dinner at the dining table. Esme was in a good mood and ate a bit more than usual.

Afterward, Isabella and Sebastian said goodbye and left the hospital.

In the car, Isabella seemed a bit distracted.

Sebastian leaned over and draped his coat over her shoulders. "What's up? You've seemed off since I saw you this afternoon."

Isabella looked at him. "Sebastian, why do I feel like Aunt Esme is scared of Quentin?"

Sebastian paused. "What do you mean?"

Isabella recounted the afternoon's events.

Sebastian said, "From what I know, that Bruno Black isn't exactly a nice guy. It might be like Quentin said, if he finds out about this, things could get ugly."

Isabella asked, "How ugly?"

Sebastian replied, "Siena might end up dead."

Isabella was stunned. "Aunt Esme's injury isn't serious enough for Siena to get the death penalty."

Sebastian said quietly, "There are plenty of ways to die besides the death penalty."

Isabella broke out in a cold sweat hearing that.