Stuck in The Marriage Pact
Chapter 54: Want to make her not sad

Chapter 54: Want to make her not sad

Joe left his workplace, riding his black dirt bike while carrying a gray bag. He navigated the fairly busy streets, riding slowly, his gaze vacant, unable to stop thinking about Isabella.

"Shitttt!" he cursed under his breath, pulling his bike over to the side of the road.

He took off his helmet, sighed, and looked around at the now dark streets, illuminated by streetlights.

"Isabella... How could you do this to me? If you truly understood me, you would’ve waited for me. I wanted to propose to you... I love you so much and wanted a future together, but I don’t even know if I could... You should’ve reassured me, not left me!" He angrily hit the handlebar. "Damn you, Hunter! You’re a fraud. If you hadn’t pretended to be paralyzed, maybe Isabella would never have married you. Maybe I wouldn’t have thought she’d be okay after marrying you. You manipulated everything!"

Joe kept fuming until his attention was caught by a girl walking towards him, breaking into a small run.

"Kate?"

"Joe!" Kate approached with a smile, carrying a medium-sized purple bag.

Joe turned away anxiously.

"What are you doing here? Did your bike break down?" Kate asked as she reached Joe.

"No," Joe replied curtly, putting his helmet back on. "I have to go!"

"Where to? Are you heading home?" Kate asked, holding onto the handlebar, and looking into Joe’s reddened eyes. "Can I hitch a ride? I’m headed home too."

"Sorry, I’m not going home," Joe muttered, starting his bike, and forcing Kate to step back.

"Joe..."

Joe sped off, leaving Kate alone.

"What’s wrong with him?" Kate muttered in frustration, looking around. "Now I’ll have to take the bus or call a taxi? That’s just going to waste my money!" She clicked her tongue, pulling her phone from the pocket of her white jeans.

...

At Isabella’s house, Hunter had just finished showering after helping Isabella clean her dusty, messy room. He pulled a pair of pants and underwear from his suitcase, putting them on after removing the pink towel from his waist.

"I’m tired," Isabella murmured, lying on the bed, watching Hunter smile at her while he put on his pants. "After getting used to all the comforts of your penthouse, it feels exhausting just to clean this small room," she added.

"No, it’s because you’re upset," Hunter responded, sitting next to her feet. "You don’t need to dwell on the past; I’m sure everything will be okay," he said while massaging her calves.

"So many things are on my mind; how could I not worry?"

"Hmm... You’re always thinking about that... Don’t you realize that I’m very hungry right now?" Hunter raised his eyebrows. "I think you’re hungry too... We only ate on the plane a few hours ago, anyway..."

"I don’t feel like eating!" Isabella turned away, hugging a pillow. "I just want to sleep."

"You can’t sleep in those clothes. You should take a shower and change into something more comfortable..." Hunter stroked her back over her gray top, which matched her gray pants. "Come on... You’ll feel better after a shower."

Isabella stayed silent.

"Um... Okay, I’ll order some food." Hunter grabbed his phone from the table near the bed and turned on the screen. He noticed several messages from his mother and opened them.

Hunter

Where are you

Fine, I won’t interfere in your relationship with your wife anymore... Do whatever you want with her, but be careful because she might have bad intentions toward you.

I don’t mean to judge her, but she’s the only person who knows about your lie besides me. Make sure she doesn’t expose it to Davin or even Grandpa. It could ruin you, or even me!

Frowning, Hunter quickly responded to the message.

I trust her. Stop being paranoid.

If you truly want me to be happy with her, then don’t cloud my mind with your suspicions. Let me enjoy my time with her...

I’m in Seattle now.

"What are you going to order?" Isabella asked, glancing at Hunter, who was focused on his phone.

"Um..." Hunter quickly deleted his conversation with his mother once the message had been fully sent. "I don’t know... I’m looking for a good restaurant here." He switched to a popular search device.

Isabella exhaled sharply, turning back to lie down and staring at the room’s off-white ceiling.

"Just call Collin, ask him to buy groceries... Get some meat, sausages, eggs... Potatoes..."

"And you’ll cook?" Hunter asked before she could finish her sentence.

"Yeah..."

"You won’t be able to cook with your mind all over the place," Hunter whispered, looking at her warmly. "You just need to rest, clear your head..."

"But this is the first time you’re staying here. I should be treating you to something special, like cooking you a special meal," Isabella replied, frowning as she held Hunter’s arm. "Sorry... I’ve only been thinking about myself... I keep focusing on my problems without considering your feelings," she added, her face scrunched up.

Hunter gave a soft smile, waiting as his blue eyes glanced at Isabella.

"So, now you’re worried about me?" he whispered.

"There’s a lot I’m worried about, but... I’m prioritizing you now," Isabella replied, smiling faintly and running her hand along Hunter’s lips. "I hope I’m not wrong in making this decision. I’ve risked everything for you... For you, even though I know you’ve lied to me," she added.

"There won’t be any regrets..." Hunter took her hand and kissed it.

"Prove it."

"I love you, Isabella Quinn..."

"Aren’t I Isabella Brown now?" Isabella asked.

"Yes..." Hunter grinned. "I’d be thrilled if you were to take my last name as your own..." He sighed and bit his lower lip.

Isabella stayed silent.

"But..." Hunter hesitated.

"What?" Isabella whispered.

"I’m really hungry. I can’t focus on anything with an empty stomach. And I don’t think I can wait for you to cook for me, so we should just order food that’s ready to eat," Hunter explained, his face showing disappointment.

Isabella chuckled, then pulled Hunter down to her, hugging him tightly.

"My big baby is hungry!" she teased.

"Hmm... Your big baby needs food to have the energy to make you happy later," Hunter replied, causing Isabella to release her hug and push him back to a sitting position. She laughed, surprised by her husband’s expression. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you know what I’m thinking?" he asked.

"Do you want to do it when I’m not feeling okay?" Isabella countered.

Hunter shrugged and pouted. "Why not? This is my first time here as your husband... Our first time here as a married couple... So I’m hoping for a first night here." He said firmly, biting his lower lip with a smile.

Isabella remained silent, flaring her nostrils.

"Can we?" Hunter stroked her thigh.

"I don’t know..." Isabella turned away from him again. "You better order the food first, but also ask Collin to buy groceries so I can make breakfast for you tomorrow morning."

Hunter sighed deeply. "Fine... I’ll order something to boost your energy too," he muttered while looking at his phone again.