Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 4 Do You Also Feel Unhappy?

Isabella brought the food to the table, still steaming and smelling so good it made your mouth water.

She kept her head down, eating in tiny bites, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.

Seeing her so obedient, Alexander felt something soft in his heart.

He put down his fork. "Do you cook a lot at the Johnsons'?"

"Yeah." Isabella looked up, her big eyes serious. "Amelia says girls need to know her way around a kitchen if she wants to snag a husband."

Alexander chuckled at her earnestness. She was adorably naive.

"So, what kind of guy do you think makes a good husband?" he asked, curious.

Isabella tilted her head, thinking. "Someone like you—handsome, rich, and gentle, like a prince."

Alexander's smile widened. She really knew how to flatter.

He leaned in a bit, locking eyes with her. "And what about a good wife? What should she be like?"

A blush warmed Isabella's cheeks, turning them the color of ripe apples. "I-I'd try my best to learn," she murmured, dropping her gaze to her plate.

Seeing her bashful, Alexander felt a flutter of desire. After dinner, Isabella started to clean up, but Alexander stopped her.

"Let Aurora handle it. If you do everything, she'll get bored," he said, pulling her towards the living room.

Isabella looked uneasy. "I should help Aurora with the dishes," she said, heading to the kitchen.

"Come here, sit down," Alexander commanded.

Intimidated, Isabella followed him to the sofa and sat.

Alexander went to the wine cabinet, poured a glass of red wine, and handed it to her. "Want to try?"

Isabella hesitated. "I don't really drink."

"It's okay, just a little sip," Alexander said, bringing the glass to her lips.

With his handsome face so close, she couldn't refuse and took a small sip.

The spicy liquid made her cough, tears welling up in her eyes.

Alexander quickly put down the glass and gently patted her back. "Whoa, easy there. Too strong?" he asked, his tone soft.

Isabella shook her head, her face flushed and eyes dazed.

After a glass of wine, she felt dizzy.

"Alexander," she murmured, leaning on the sofa like a sleepy kitten.

"What?" Alexander asked, his heart fluttering at her cuteness.

"Will you also drive me away?" Isabella looked up at him, her big eyes full of unease and hope.

Seeing her pitiful look, Alexander felt his heart soften. He gently caressed her hair, his voice low and tender. "No, I won't."

Isabella smiled, standing up happily, but the alcohol made her dizzy, and she almost fell.

Seeing Isabella almost fall, Alexander gently guided her to the room at the end of the second-floor hallway.

The cool breeze in the hallway sobered her up a bit, and she stood at the door, feeling awkward and unsure whether to go in.

"Come in," Alexander's voice called out, carrying a hint of unexpected tenderness.

Isabella took careful steps inside.

Alexander walked to the bed and patted the spot beside him. "Come here."

After a moment of hesitation, Isabella walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

Seeing her cautious demeanor, Alexander couldn't help but smile and reach out to touch her head, his tone indulgent. "Why are you like a little kitten, so timid?"

Isabella looked at him, her eyes full of innocence. "I just..."

"Just what?" Alexander asked, feeling a wave of softness in his heart.

"I'm afraid of causing you trouble, and then you'll drive me away too," Isabella said softly, her head lowered.

Seeing her pitiful look, Alexander thought she was too cute.

He sighed and pulled Isabella into his arms, letting her lean on his chest.

"Little fool, you won't cause me any trouble," he said softly, his voice so tender he didn't even notice it himself.

Isabella was startled by his sudden action, her whole body stiffening.

She could clearly feel the warmth from his chest and his strong heartbeat.

"Alexander," she called softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"What?" Alexander looked at Isabella in his arms, his tone unbelievably gentle.

Isabella gathered her courage and asked softly, "Alexander, why do you drink?"

Alexander was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "Drinking can make people forget a lot of unhappy things."

"Are you unhappy?" She tilted her head up at him, her innocence disarming.

Looking at her pure gaze, Alexander couldn't help but smile and ruffled her hair. "Everyone has their unhappy moments, Isabella."

"Tell me, talking about it will make you feel better," Isabella said, blinking her big eyes like a well-behaved child waiting for a teacher's reward.

Looking at her innocent expression, Alexander felt a complex mix of emotions. Over the years, he had gotten used to burying his pain deep inside, never thinking of confiding in anyone.

But facing Isabella's clear eyes, he felt a sudden urge to bare his soul.

"I..." Alexander paused, as if organizing his thoughts or hesitating whether to speak.

Isabella didn't urge him, just quietly looked at him, waiting for his answer.

After a long time, Alexander slowly spoke, his voice low and hoarse. "When I was six, my father came back from overseas. He brought a woman and my half-brother with him. On my birthday, I got food poisoning. My parents were rushing me to the hospital when we got into a car accident. My mother...she died instantly. My father, he was left disabled."

Alexander closed his eyes, remembering the feeling of being protected by his mother, Freya Stewart.

The car was crushed, and Freya used her body to create a safe space for him.

Even the police said it was a miracle Alexander survived, but he knew clearly it was at the cost of Freya's life.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter