Isabella leaned against his chest, her large, clear eyes still filled with shock.
Seizing the opportunity, Andrew stole a sweet kiss, pressing his lips firmly against hers.
Snapping out of her daze and frowning, she pushed him away. “What are you doing here?”
“I missed you,” he replied bluntly.
“The busy CEO has time for personal matters now?” She chuckled sarcastically.
“The price for personal freedom is just money, and I can afford it,” he said casually, taking off his coat to wrap her tightly.
His coat still carried his scent and warmth, enveloping her in a comforting embrace that almost made her want to cry.
His car was parked by the roadside. He led her over, opening the passenger door with one hand.
“Get in,” he said.
Isabella numbly got into the car. Andrew walked around the car and sat in the driver’s seat.
The car smoothly drove down the road with the air conditioning turned to the max. Feeling warm, she removed his coat, revealing her white wedding gown adorned with sparkling crystals that highlighted her delicate porcelain-like face.
His long and elegant hands rested on the steering wheel, and he glanced at her with a soft smile. “You look beautiful.”
“What?” She looked puzzled.
“Wearing a wedding gown looks beautiful on you,” he said, his deep eyes filled with a warm and shallow smile.
She pursed her red lips, hesitated briefly, and replied, “The gown was sponsored by the brand.”
Her words were clearly avoiding the subject.
His smile faded slightly, but he said nothing.
Andrew’s car stopped in front of the hotel entrance. They got out one after the other and walked towards the hotel. While waiting for the elevator on the first floor, his phone vibrated.
He answered the call, and his expression immediately turned grave.
With Isabella still in his arms, he spoke in a low voice, “Why was she suddenly hospitalized? Is the situation serious?”
On the other end of the phone, Layla’s voice sounded urgent, tinged with a hint of tears. “She’s still in critical condition. Hurry back; I’m afraid …”
Andrew hung up the phone and looked at Isabella. Before he could say anything, she said indifferently, “If you have something to deal with, go ahead. I’ll return to the country after finishing my work here.”
He looked deeply into her eyes, suddenly feeling helpless to explain. He nodded calmly and walked away briskly.
He took the next available flight back home and headed straight to the hospital upon landing.
Mrs. Hannah was still in a coma, in the intensive care unit, and her condition was critical.
Layla had been waiting outside the ICU, her eyes red from two days of continuous vigil. Jacob had visited symbolically once, and Thomas was still in the hospital. He was more concerned about his eldest son’s health.
Doctor Samuel led Andrew to the door of the special care ward and briefed him on Mrs. Hannah’s current condition.
Mrs. Hannah had been suffering from coronary heart disease for decades. Initially, she had developed the condition due to stress caused by Jacob. Despite taking good care of herself, with age, her condition had gradually worsened. Heart diseases are particularly sensitive to strong emotions and excessive stimulation.
Not long ago, the relationship between Andrew and Isabella had become public. Mrs. Hannah was furious.
Jacob had loved her dearly and had remarried her soon after ruining the family alliance with Andrew’s mother. Andrew had once hated Hannah, but after his mother’s death, she hadn’t been as cold-hearted as he’d imagined and had taken care of him for a while.
Andrew stayed with Layla at the hospital for a week. Thankfully, Mrs. Hannah finally pulled through the crisis and regained consciousness.
After returning to her country, Isabella learned from Amelia that Mrs. Hannah had been hospitalized due to a serious illness.
Immediately, she bought some supplements and visited the hospital.
When she arrived at the hospital, only Layla and Mrs. Hannah were in the ward. Mrs. Hannah had been unconscious for a long time and looked quite frail, but her spirits were still good.
“Isabella, why did you come? Please sit,” Mrs. Hannah greeted Isabella warmly.
Isabella took Mrs. Hannah’s hand and sat beside the bed, obediently replying, “Mrs. Hannah, I’m sorry. I’ve been filming in Berlin recently and only found out about your illness after returning.”
“We are family; there’s no need for such formalities,” Mrs. Hannah smiled and asked, “Is Asher doing well?”
“He’s doing well and has grown taller. He’s quite mischievous,” Isabella replied.
Mrs. Hannah nodded and said with a hint of helplessness, “Mischievous children are hard to discipline.”
“Andrew is so outstanding, Asher must be too,” Isabella said, beaming with a smile.
Mrs. Hannah’s eyes became even gentler and more affectionate as she looked at Isabella.
Isabella chatted with Mrs. Hannah for a while longer before taking her leave. Mrs. Hannah specifically instructed Layla to escort her out.
Layla walked Isabella to the elevator and watched her enter it before returning to the ward.
Inside the ward, Mrs. Hannah was sitting by the bed, casually looking at the IV drip.
“Has Isabella left?”
“Yes, she had to rush to a shoot,” Layla replied.
After hearing this, Mrs. Hannah smiled faintly, “Rushing to a shoot is just an excuse. She doesn’t interact with us much. Her visit was merely out of courtesy. She’s not familiar with our preferences, and with Andrew not around, she’s probably afraid of making mistakes. So, she found a reasonable excuse to leave.”
After finishing, Mrs. Hannah nodded approvingly, “She’s smart.”
“She’s indeed clever; she’s captured Andrew’s heart,” Layla said, indifferently.
Mrs. Hannah sighed and chuckled helplessly. Even though Andrew was her stepson, she had watched him grow up and couldn’t help but care for him.
“Andrew has always had good taste.”
Layla was peeling an orange by the bedside, offering no response.
Just as they finished speaking, Andrew pushed open the door and walked in.
Mrs. Hannah looked up and said with a smile, “These two little troublemakers, one leaves, and the other comes.”
Andrew hesitated for a moment, noticing the supplements on the table. “Who was here?”
“Isabella just left,” Layla replied softly.
Without saying another word, Andrew turned and rushed out.
Layla became irritated again and complained to Mrs. Hannah, “Look at him, he only has that girl on his mind. He doesn’t care about us elders.”
“Enough complaining. As soon as Andrew learned I was seriously ill, he rushed back. He’s a thoughtful person,” Mrs. Hannah advised.
However, Andrew didn’t see Isabella outside the hospital gate. He returned to the ward with a hint of disappointment.