Stuck in The Marriage Pact
Chapter 64: care or not

Chapter 64: care or not

Hunter hurriedly left the room and crossed the stairs, glancing at Isabella, who remained seated on the sofa with her head down, covering her face. Her body trembled as if she were crying.

"Honey... What happened?"

Isabella quickly stood up, looking at Hunter as he approached. Memories of his kindness and stories from his past filled her mind, making her even sadder because her mother and brother had misunderstood him.

"Hey... What happened? Why are you crying?" Hunter cupped Isabella’s cheeks and gently wiped her tears with his thumbs. But instead of answering, she embraced him tightly, leaving him even more confused, especially since neither Elisabeth nor Loraine were around.

"Okay... Calm down now. I’m here," he whispered, stroking her hair.

For a while, Isabella stayed silent, comforted in Hunter’s arms. When she finally pulled away, he guided her to the sofa, letting her rest her head on his shoulder.

"They misunderstood you," she said in a hoarse voice. "They always think you’re a bad person, that you’ll hurt me. But you’re the only one who helped me rise again. They should support me, not judge you... Or at least let me be happy with my choice instead of interfering. Do they think they can make me happy?" she asked, frustration evident through her tears.

Hunter sighed, staring ahead as memories of how his relationship with Isabella had begun resurfaced.

"Their suspicion isn’t entirely wrong. I deserve it, given the deceit and lies they already know about me," he admitted.

"But you did those things because you felt wronged... You weren’t really at fault!" Isabella protested.

"Fault is a fault, Isabella. It’s not possible to explain everything to them. As long as you know the truth, that’s enough. I won’t try to convince them..." Hunter turned to Isabella, who immediately lifted her head from his shoulder. He stroked her cheek and kissed her forehead. "But I will prove them wrong. What matters most is that you trust me." He smiled and wiped away her tears.

"Of course, I trust you completely!" Isabella hugged him again. "It hurts so much to see them misjudge you... My husband, you are the best thing after my father, truly!"

Hunter smiled, feeling her embrace tighten.

"They should be grateful for my presence now."

"They will be, of course."

Isabella pulled back and looked at him with a smile.

"I don’t think about Joe any more. I mean... I don’t worry about him or miss him," she admitted with a hoarse voice.

"Then I’ve succeeded in making you feel at ease," Hunter responded with joy evident on his face and warmth in his eyes. He reached for her neck. "Let me kiss you," he whispered.

Isabella quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately, even climbing onto his lap.

"Take me to the room!" she whispered.

"Why?"

"Sex is the best cure," she teased.

Hunter laughed, and the kiss naturally came to an end.

"Why are you smiling?" Isabella pouted.

"No... I’m just... too happy," Hunter whispered, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"Oh my..."

A woman’s voice from the main door startled them. They turned to see Estella standing with Sarah, both of them frozen in place.

"This is bad," Isabella whispered, quickly getting off Hunter’s lap.

Hunter swallowed hard, glancing around and realizing his cane or wheelchair wasn’t nearby. Isabella stood to greet their guests.

"Seems like I’ve interrupted your moment," Estella said with a teasing smile.

"Hey, that’s not true!" Isabella responded, hugging Estella briefly before letting go.

"But it is true! I should’ve remembered you’re newlyweds who can cuddle anywhere!"

"Estella..." Isabella smiled shyly, shaking her head. "We... We were just..."

"No need to worry. I’m only joking. Besides, everyone has the right to be affectionate, as long as it’s in a healthy relationship, not an affair!" Estella teased, then turned her attention to Hunter, who was still seated on the sofa.

The curly-haired girl dressed entirely in blue walked over to her cousin with a serious expression.

"For the first time, I see you without your cane or wheelchair. Does that mean your therapy in Seattle is working?" she asked as she sat next to him.

"No... I... I still can’t walk," Hunter replied nervously. "We just got here, and I sat down immediately. Collin brought my cane to the room and went to get the wheelchair," he lied.

"Oh..." Estella nodded, then glanced at Isabella and Sarah, who remained standing awkwardly. "Hey... What are you two doing over there?"

"Um..." Isabella exchanged a glance with Sarah and gave a shy smile. "Come, sit. I’ll ask Carol to make drinks for you." She tried to sound friendly, though her mind lingered on thoughts of her love story with Hunter.

Sarah nodded and walked toward the sofa, while Isabella headed to the kitchen.

Hunter watched Sarah with a furrowed brow.

"How did you end up with her?" he asked, turning to Estella.

"I was at Davin’s office today, helping him solve a few issues. When I left, Sarah was done with her work too, so I offered her a ride. And since I remembered you and Isabella would be back this afternoon, I invited her to stop by for a bit," Estella explained with a shrug, glancing occasionally at Sarah, who looked uncomfortable. She shifted her focus back to Hunter, noticing his intense gaze on Sarah. "Why do you ask? Do you not like her being here?"

"No... It’s fine," Hunter muttered, pursing his lips. "I just thought... Davin wouldn’t have his girlfriend work if he truly cared for her," he added, still staring at Sarah.

Estella exhaled sharply and leaned back.

"That’s none of my business," she replied.

"You don’t need to manage your brother’s life. But if he harms someone, especially his girlfriend, it will become your business," Hunter retorted.

"What do you mean by that?" Sarah asked, narrowing her eyes. "Do you think Davin will hurt me?"

Hunter shrugged.

"I’ve heard you two don’t get along, so I know you won’t ever support him or praise him," Sarah said, standing up and picking up her medium-sized black bag.

"Where are you going?" Estella asked.

"I need to leave," Sarah answered, glancing briefly at Hunter before heading for the door.

"Sarah!" Estella called, jumping off the sofa to chase after her.

Hunter sat in silence, watching them coldly. Memories of Davin’s deceit filled his mind, recalling how Davin had once caused problems for Isabella.

"He must have brainwashed Sarah, badmouthing me... He’s so manipulative, always has been. I think he’s dating her not out of love but because he knows about our past... He wants to hurt me by flaunting their relationship," Hunter whispered, clenching his jaw.

"Where’s Estella?"

Isabella’s voice from the kitchen snapped Hunter out of his thoughts. He turned to face her.

"She left with Sarah," he answered.

Isabella sat beside Hunter again. "Are they leaving already?"

"I don’t know..." Hunter pulled out his phone from his pocket. "I need to tell Collin to bring the wheelchair here."

Isabella sat quietly, her thoughts drifting back to Sarah. She watched Hunter as he focused on his phone. What happened? He seems upset... Is it because of Sarah? I shouldn’t have gone to the kitchen; then I’d know what they talked about! she thought, annoyed.

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