Chapter 279
Layla, who had known Isabella for a long time, had never seen her so anxious and out of control. Holding Theodore’s hand, she tried to comfort her daughter. “Calm down, Izzy. Even if we want to leave with Theo, we can only cross the river Anthony and George are repairing the bridge now. and we’ll run into them if we go like this. We need to plan carefully.”
Isabella panicked just now and only realized her rashness after Layla’s reminder. “Y–Yeah. You’re right. I need to stay calm and not alert Anthony” Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady herself. Layla looked at her with concern. “Who exactly is Anthony? Why are you so afraid of him?”
Isabella knew she couldn’t hide the truth any longer. If she wanted to leave, she had to take George and Layla with her to keep them safe. Anthony’s volatile personality meant he might do something drastic once he discovered she was gone. However, the elderly couple had built their lives here, and convincing them to leave required a conspelling reason. She decided to come clean.
Biting her lip. Isabella finally mustered the courage to reveal her past to Layla. “I’m actually the eldest daughter of the Davis family, a medical family. Anthony is the CEO of Clara Group The biggest regret of my life is saving him that night. Since then, he’s taken everything from me and kept me captive. It ruined my family, and there’s no future between us anymore. I never expected things to turn out like this. I’ve kept him here so Theo could have some interaction with him while he suffers from memory loss. At least this way. Theo gets to have a father in his life for a while
It took labella ten minutes to recount her tumultuous history with Anthony. The more she spoke, the more suffocated she felt, the memories still haunting her a year later.
Theodore seemed to sense Isabella’s emotions and stopped playing, rushing over to hug her leg, calling softly, “Mommy…
Isabella wiped away her tears and embraced the child. “Good boy. I’ll protect you, she reassured him.
Layla was shocked to learn about Isabella’s harrowing past with Anthony, never imagining she had endured such hardships. She hugged Isabella tightly and said. “Izzy, your father and I will protect you.”
Isabella teared up again when she suddenly remembered something and went stiff. “Anthony is very vigilant. We need to leave soon, preferably tonight”
how do we leave without him noticing?” Lyla asked anxiously.
Isabella pondered for a moment, then replied decisively. “Ill put something in his dinner to make him sleep through the night. While he’s asleep. we’ll make our move” She urged, “Start packing now. Bring only the evemials and anything of personal value.”
“Okay,” Layla replied before hurrying back to her room. Isabella carried Theodore to her room to pack. Meanwhile, George did his best to stall for time, and by the time Anthony and George returned Tabella and Layla had nearly finished packing.
The sun was setting. Isabella handed Theodore to Layla and went into the kitchen to cook, avoiding eye contact with Anthony whatsoever.
Anthony frowned slightly, his expression darkening as he followed Isabella into the kitchen. Let me help you,” he insisted.
As he reached for the vegetables from Isabella, bis hand brushed against hers accidentally. Flustered, Isabella froze, and the vegetable slipped from her grasp into the basin.
Til handle it. You should go rest,” she managed to say, her breath quickening as she tried to conceal her emotions. Hastly retrieving the vegetable, she resumed her task
Anthony remained silent and still, his brow furrowed as he watched Isabella’s jittery movements. He sensed she was hiding something from him and wondered, ‘Have I been too obvious lately! Has she figured out that I’ve regained my memory”
Isabella kept her head down, avoiding Anthony’s gaze. She had nearly finished preparing the ingredients, yet Anthony lingered, leaving her anxious about how she would drug his meal later. Just as her panic was mounting, Anthony finally left. With a sigh of relief, she swiftly cooked pasta, serving a plate for each of them and discreetly adding the drug to Anthony’s portion.
After preparing the pasta, Isabella emerged from the kitchen and exchanged secretive glances with George and Layla. Earlier, Layla had briefed George on the situation, and be had agreed with Kabella’s plan.
Anthony emerged from his room and quietly took the only available seat at the table. The atmosphere was tense and subdued. Isabella, Layla, and George sit nervously, barely touching their forks. Anthony picked up a forkful of pasta and lifted it toward his mouth with the others watching expectantly. However, at the last moment, he set his fork down and instead used Theodore’s fork to feed him.
Jubella extended her hand anxiously, saying, “Please eat, I’ll take care of him.”
Anthony dodged her hand. Til handle it.”
Isabella didn’t protest furifier; she was apprehensive about defying Anthony now that she knew he had regained his memory. The others proceeded to eat their meals in silence. By the time Isabella finished her food, Anthony had finished feeding Theodore. His own pasta had grown cold, unappetizing on his plate
Just as Isabella fretted over whether Anthony would eat the pasta, he surprised her by finishing it swiftly. As he wiped his mouth at the end of the meal, he made a cryptic remark. “The pasta tasted a bit peculiar, but I’d eat anything you make, even if it’s poisoned”
Isabella’s heart skipped a beat. To conceal her guilt, she busied herself clearing and washing the dishes, Anthony joined her to help, and they fell into a routine, washing and rinsing together like any ordinary couple.
Finally, Anthony broke the silence by saying seriously, “Izzy, if you want, I’d like to live like this with you forever.”
Isabella paused, meeting his intense gaze with surprise. He gently brushed her disheveled bangs aside and continued. “No
“No matter where you go. promise me you’ll take me with you, all right?”
Isabella’s heart raced. She didn’t dare respond to Anthony’s heartfelt words. Instead, she kept her head down and focused on washing the dishes. Once the task was done, Anthony unexpectedly retired to his room early, probably due to the drug’s effects
Isabella, too, returned to her room and waited. As midnight approached and she confirmed Anthony was asleep, she left the cabin with her parents and Theodore without hesitation. Though she understood Anthony’s words earlier in the day, she couldn’t risk it. She felt vulnerable and didn’t want to return to a time when she felt powerless.
Under the moonlight, they reached the riverbank. Rather than using the wooden bridge to cross the downstream.
river, they opted for a boat moored half a mile
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