Chapter 462

Perhaps sensing something, Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She held her breath and listened intently to the voice on the other end of the phone, but she could only make out two words.

"Okay, I understand." Seb said before hanging up the phone.

He held the phone in one hand and gently supported the back of Isabella's head with the other, looking down at her. "There's something that might not be good."

Isabella's breath caught. "Is it my mom?"

Although she had spent very little time with Esme, Isabella understood Esme's character well.

Esme was beautiful and talented. Even in middle age, Esme still retained her charm. Back in the day, someone like Bruno had gone to great lengths to ruin her original husband's family just to be with her, so it's easy to imagine how stunning she must have been in her youth.

During the prime of her life, Esme must have had no shortage of suitors. After marrying Bruno, she furthered her studies, becoming a renowned international designer.

Clearly, Esme was a woman of ambition and vision.

But tonight, such humiliation occurred. Her stepson stripped her clothes in front of so many people and revealed all the terrible things Bruno had done in the past.

Each of these incidents was a blow to Esme.

It seemed almost inevitable that Esme would take her own life.

"Yes," Seb nodded, instructing the driver to turn around while trying to calm Isabella. "It might not be that bad. Let's go back to check it out."

"Okay," Isabella agreed, her heart pounding, but she tried to stay calm.

The car had just left the estate and hadn't gone far before it turned back.

After getting out of the car, Isabella's feet sank into the grass as if she were walking on clouds. The sensation spread from her feet throughout her body.

If Seb hadn't been holding her hand, Isabella wouldn't have known how to move forward.

As they rounded the backyard, they saw that Richard and the others had already moved everyone into the yard.

Quentin was there too.

Quentin had bloodstains on him and stood beside Esme, head bowed.

Hearing footsteps, Quentin looked up at Isabella, a clear expression of guilt flashing in his eyes.

Esme lay on the ground, covered in blood, her face also smeared with it.

Richard walked over and said in a low voice, "She tried to take Wade down with her, but he took the knife and stabbed her instead. I've called an ambulance; it should be here soon."

He then turned to Isabella. "She's been calling your name. You should go see her."

Richard and his group lived dangerous lives, and one look was enough to tell that Esme was critically injured.

This wound could be fatal.

If they hadn't called Isabella back, she might not have had the chance to see Esme one last time.

Seb let go of Isabella's hand. "Go ahead."

Isabella walked over unsteadily, her eyes glued to Esme, unable to look away.

Esme lay flat, her chest rising and falling weakly.

Hearing the footsteps, Esme slowly opened her eyes. "Bella."

She reached out her hand to Isabella.

Isabella hesitated for a moment before slowly squatting down.

Isabella took Esme's hand but couldn't say a word.

"Bella," Esme cooed with a self-deprecating smile. "The person I've wronged the most in my life is you. Don't forgive me, not ever."

Isabella shook her head gently.

Esme took a breath and continued, "Seb is a good man, worth spending your life with. The Jose family are good people too. My daughter, meeting these people is your good fortune. I don't deserve it. I just hope that the rest of your life will be safe and happy."

Isabella's eyes welled up. "Don't say that. I was angry with you, but I never hated you."

Esme shook her head, seemingly out of strength.

Isabella sobbed anxiously, "I know you bribed the doctor to switch my heart surgery. You didn't sacrifice me for Lova. Sometimes I understand your difficulties. Mom, don't die. Come back to Lakina with me. I'll take good care of you."

Quentin, standing nearby, was visibly shaken by these words.

Quentin first looked at Esme, then slowly turned to Isabella. His gaze lingered on Isabella's heart for a moment, and pain quickly spread across his face.

Esme smiled. "Bella, thank you."

"Mom." Isabella cried.

"I think I see Lova," Esme said, her eyes fixed on the sky with a loving smile. "I miss Lova so much. Lova has come to take me. Quentin."

Esme suddenly called Quentin's name.

Quentin stood there, unmoving.

"Quentin." Esme called urgently, as if she had some last words to say, or as if she couldn't die in peace without Quentin's response.

But Quentin just stood there, unmoved.

It wasn't until Isabella looked up at Quentin, Isabella's eyes full of earnest pleading, that he frowned and took a couple of steps forward.

Quentin didn't squat down but stood straight.

He looked down at Esme with a complex expression.

"Quentin." Esme reached out her other hand to him.

That hand stayed in the air for seven or eight seconds, but Quentin didn't respond.

He just stood there coldly, watching coldly.

Esme finally ran out of strength, and her hand fell heavily.

"Mom," Isabella's tears kept falling.

Esme closed her eyes, took a moment, and sighed softly.

After a while, she opened her eyes and looked at Quentin. "Quentin, I know you haven't been able to let go of Lova all these years. I beg you, for Lova's sake, can you let Bella go?"

Quentin didn't respond.

Quentin pressed his lips together, refusing to give an answer.

Esme just looked at him. "Quentin. In my bedroom safe, there's a diary. It's Lova's diary. When I die, you can take it."

Hearing about Lova's diary, Quentin's cold face finally showed a hint of change.

He turned and almost immediately headed towards the Black Family villa.

He walked quickly, eager to get that diary.

Esme held Isabella's arm, her body suddenly trembling. "Bella, I'm not going to make it. I'm sorry. I have to go now. Live a good life."

Esme's words stopped there.

Isabella held her, clearly feeling a vibrant life slowly slipping away.

"Mom." Isabella called out again and again, but there was no response.

When she looked down, Esme had already closed her eyes peacefully, falling into a deep sleep.

The sound of the ambulance came and went.

Isabella still knelt on the grass. It was late, and the dampness from the grass seeped through her skin, sending chills through her body.

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her shoulder and turned to meet Seb's eyes.

"Bella, let's go home." Seb whispered.