Chapter 83

Isabella waved her hand. "I don't want to drink, thank you."

She felt a bit nauseous as she finished her sentence,.

Her mind was filled with images of Thomas twisting a distorted large green caterpillar and throwing it into his mouth.

Isabella closed her eyes and asked, "Whose child was that?"

"It's a maid's kid. Her name is Karen Martinez." Matthew paused. "What's wrong?"

Suppressing the urge to vomit, Isabella asked, "He looks like he's about seven or eight years old, why is he like that?"

"Karen took some medication back then, which affected the child's development. Thomas was born with an intellectual disability and some neurological issues."

"Bella, what's wrong with you?" Matthew reached out to support her. "Why is your face so pale?"

Isabella shook her head and couldn't help but ask, "Didn't Karen go for a check-up back then to see if it was a deformity?"

"They said that she did go for a check-up, but nothing was found. Sometimes, even check-ups are not one hundred percent accurate and there are quite a few misdiagnoses."

Isabella bit her lip, unsure how to describe her current feelings.

If Karen Martinez had known that he would be born like this, it would have been better not to have him at all. Unfortunately, fate played tricks on people. Karen had no choice, and neither did Thomas.

Isabella stood by the window, watching Thomas playing in the nearby grass.

"Have a glass of water." Matthew appeared by her side.

Isabella took the glass. "Thank you."

Matthew glanced outside for a moment, then turned back to Isabella. "Karen once tried to send the child to an orphanage, but the environment there was poor. It was full of disabled children. She couldn't bear to part with her child, so she brought him back and raised him by her side. Karen was an elderly person in the family, and my mother had sympathy for her and felt sorry for her, so she allowed her to bring the child to work. Usually, the child plays alone in the yard, and we've all gotten used to it. Don't it mind too much, it's very sad."

Isabella was touched by Matthew's words, and her tone softened. "Emma is a good person."

"What about me?" Matthew lowered his gaze to her. "Am I a good person?"

Isabella avoided his gaze. "Matthew, we can't go back."

"We can." Matthew held Isabella's shoulder, turning her to face him, "Bella, I was terribly wrong before. I missed out, so I realized how important you are to me. I will cherish you even more in the future. Bella, can you give me a chance?"

Isabella remained silent.

Matthew continued, "You and Nina have already endured enough hardships in the first half of your lives. Let me shield you from the storms in the second half, okay?

"I will treat you well, and I will be a good husband and father.

"I know you've always wanted a peaceful and stable life. As long as you're with me, I will give you everything."

"Matthew, I..." Isabella was about to say something when Matthew suddenly embraced her.

He held her tightly. "Bella..."

Isabella tried to push him away, but at that moment, Matthew whispered softly in her ear, "My brother is watching."

Isabella froze.

Matthew frowned disapprovingly as he sensed her stiffness, then gently stroked her back. "Bella, I'll treat you well. We'll have a happy family. You don't want the child to be born without a father, do you?"

Isabella hesitated for a moment, thinking of Sebastian's presence. She did not push Matthew away.

"Mr. Landon?" Charlie suddenly appeared from somewhere, breaking the silence.

Isabella took the opportunity to push Matthew away, but he grabbed her hand and held it in his palm.

Matthew led Isabella toward Sebastian and Charlie. "Sebastian, Mr. Charlie."

Charlie smiled. "Are you still calling me Mr. Charlie? After this meal, you should start thinking of me as your brother-in-law."

"Okay." Matthew nodded and casually said, "Brother-in-law."

"Great." Charlie was ecstatic and trembling with excitement.

He was thrilled that he would be related to the Landon family.

After the excitement settled, Charlie realized, "Matthew, Mr. Landon is your brother. You all have the Landon surname. I thought it was a coincidence, but you're actually a family. Once Bella crosses the threshold, we'll all be family with Mr. Landon."

Sebastian gave Charlie a cold glance. "Who said we'll be family?"

Charlie was dumbfounded.

As he was about to speak, Matthew said, "You are still my brother."

Charlie was puzzled.

He looked at Sebastian, then at Matthew. It turned out that Sebastian and Matthew were not addressing him, but the atmosphere between the two brothers was very tense.

Sebastian looked away, noticing Matthew and Isabella's intertwined fingers. He furrowed his brow irritably.

Matthew tightened his grip on Isabella's hand, as if afraid she would slip away. But his gaze remained fixed on Sebastian's face. "Sebastian, Bella is at your company. She'll need your care."

Isabella whispered, "I'll take care of myself, there's no need to trouble Mr. Landon."

Sebastian furrowed his brows harshly. Compared to Matthew's provocation, Isabella's words were more cutting.

"Sebastian." Vanessa's voice rang out as she walked over, naturally standing by his side and linking her arm with his. "Bella, Matthew, you're here. Emma just said you go to somewhere to talk privately."

Silence fell.

No one responded to Vanessa's words, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

Charlie seized the opportunity to say. "So, you're Mr. Landon's fiancée. You look like a perfect match."

Vanessa smiled. "Hello, you can call me Ms. Field."

"Ms. Field." Charlie quickly extended his hand, flattering her. "Please take care of me in the future."

Vanessa smiled faintly, "We're all family. It's natural to offer help mutually."

Before anyone could say more, Sebastian's gaze swept over them, frosty and displeased.

Vanessa stiffened, quickly retracting her hand and re-linking it with his arm. "Emma's calling us to dinner, let's go."

Sebastian's phone rang, he glanced at it, then pulled his arm away from Vanessa. "I have something to attend to. I need to leave. You all enjoy your meal."

"Sebastian!" Vanessa hurried after him.

As they walked away, Isabella pulled her hand back from Matthew's grasp and turned to leave.

Only Charlie and Matthew remained at the scene.

Charlie said, "Matthew, I brought Nina over as you instructed. What about the contract?"

"Don't worry, I've already arranged everything," Matthew said.

Charlie's face lit up. He patted his shoulder. "Matthew, you're a reliable man. Thank you."

Matthew glanced at Charlie, brushed off where he had been touched, and coldly said, "Once things are settled between Bella and me. I'll give you another contract. When Bella and I get married, there will be generous gifts. We will rely on you even more in the future, Brother-in-law."

Charlie dropped open in surprise and joy. He hastily responded, "Of course."