“Are you trying to ask me who I met this morning and what we talked about? If so, just ask directly. Isn’t it tiring to beat around the bush?”
Andrew’s gaze deepened, and he instinctively gripped her hand tightly, as if afraid she might disappear if he let go.
When Andrew learned that Stella had approached Isabella, he felt a wave of inexplicable panic.
Andrew knew that in times of crisis, it was crucial to remain calm. He should trust her. However, having experienced the Turner family’s skill in twisting the truth, he couldn’t help but worry. Even Scarlett, who wasn’t foolish, got ensnared eventually. Isabella was young and inexperienced, and he couldn’t help but be concerned.
Isabella continued to fiddle with her cups, speaking casually, “I met with Stella this morning.”
“Well.” He nodded. Then, silence.
She waited for him to ask more, but nothing came.
“Andrew, why aren’t you asking what we talked about?”
He put his arm around her shoulders and said, “What she said isn’t really important. I can guess her intentions. What I care about is your attitude.”
She wiped a cup with a chamois cloth and replied nonchalantly, “What attitude could I have? That woman babbled on and on, wasting my time. If I don’t trust you, why would I trust someone who obviously has bad intentions? Do I look gullible and easy to deceive?”
He gazed at her intently for a while before suddenly shaking his head and chuckling.
Stella had gone to great lengths to drive a wedge between them, and he had been worried she might be deceived. But in reality, she hadn’t taken it to heart at all and had gone shopping in high spirits.
“Isabella, I don’t know whether to praise your intelligence or say you have a big heart.”
Isabella looked up and glared at him, displeased. “I’m not that smart, but your Turner family isn’t that clever either. Your sister-in-law is nothing compared to Charlotte and her daughters. Don’t worry, after I marry you, watch how I handle her.”
She raised her chin proudly.
Andrew couldn’t help but rub his forehead. “Alright, don’t be so smug. Stella underestimated you this time. In the future, you might not have it so easy. It’s always good to be cautious.”
“Okay, okay, I get it. You’re nagging like an old man.” Isabella said impatiently, resting her head on his shoulder. She counted on her fingers, “I’ve thought it over. Your family only has a few tricks up their sleeves, no new innovations. As long as we love and trust each other, no one can tear us apart.”
“Do you trust me that much?” Andrew chuckled, warmth spreading across his face.
Isabella finally put down the cup and seriously held his warm hand, gazing into his eyes, “Andrew, no matter what others say, it doesn’t matter. I trust what my eyes and my heart see. I also believe that the soldier who risked his life to take a bullet for me couldn’t be a bad person.”
After she finished speaking, Andrew looked at her in slight astonishment. “Isabella, do you remember now?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Andrew, I’m smarter than you think. Last time, you said February 15th was the day we first met. February 15th is the day I encountered the terrorist attack in the UK.”
That day was something Isabella would never forget.
The day after Valentine’s Day, she went shopping with her mom. While her mom was selecting items in a store, Isabella found it too stuffy inside and stood by the street to get some fresh air. She was curiously observing the buildings along the foreign street when suddenly a bomb exploded right beside her. She was in shock, her ears ringing, and she instinctively crouched down, screaming.
Chaos erupted around her. Two armored vehicles drove down the street, and the people in them were shooting at anyone they saw. She hid behind a utility pole, too scared to move, screaming for her mom.
The sounds of gunfire, the ringing in her ears, and the terrified screams of the chaotic crowd surrounded her. She didn’t know how much time had passed when she was pulled into a strong embrace. She almost instinctively struggled.
“Little girl, don’t be afraid. I’m a soldier from the Yonkers Army.” The young man’s voice was deep and strong, inexplicably giving her a sense of safety.
She opened her eyes to see a man in a black uniform, his face painted with camouflage, making his features hard to discern. Isabella was just a fifteen-year-old girl at the time, and she clung to his neck, crying, “Uncle, take me to find my mom.”
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Your mom will come soon.” He seemed not very good at comforting people, repeating the same words.
He held her, trying to take her to a safe place. However, the terrorists in the armored vehicles saw them and started shooting at them. He shielded her with his body, protecting her firmly in his embrace.
When they finally reached a safe place, Isabella noticed his clothes were covered in blood. She cried even harder. Soon after, her mom found her. He handed her over to her mom and then left. Isabella only saw his departing figure through her tear-filled eyes.
…
“Your face was covered in all sorts of colors at that time, so I didn’t see your face clearly. Later, I went to the Yonkers Army to look for you many times, but I never found you. Those people were just too rigid, always talking about regulations and refusing to tell me your name or whereabouts,” she said, annoyed.
“Yes, that’s the military’s regulations. A soldier’s duty is to protect the people, and that’s something we should do without expecting gratitude,” he said matter-of-factly.
She rested her chin in her hand, seriously studying him. “Andrew, if it had been someone else instead of me, would you have saved them too?”
“Yes.” He nodded without hesitation.
She was unhappy then. It turned out he was just performing his duty, while she had been sentimental, searching for him all these years.
Seeing her pouting, unhappy expression, he sighed softly with a hint of helplessness and then quickly tried to comfort her. “In that situation, saving people was my duty. But saving you was not just about duty; it was something I did willingly. Because from the moment I met you, I felt that you were my mate.”
He held her hand and placed it over his heart, letting her feel his sincere and strong heartbeat.
She finally smiled, satisfied. Though he rarely spoke sweet words, when he did, it had a significant impact.
Like a cuddly cat, she leaned close to his chest, her cheek pressed against it. Her tone still carried a small complaint. “Andrew, I searched for you for a long, long time, but you were always right by my side.”