In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance

Chapter 73: She Fell III

In Emanuele's view, the most crucial thing right now was to ensure everyone's safety. As for emotions, mental well-being, and other concerns, Emanuele admitted that he didn't have the time to think about them. Isabella's current emotional state, no matter how heartbroken she might be, felt unimportant to him. Compared to her safety, everything else had to be put on the backburner.

Lilly could hardly believe these cold-hearted words were coming from Emanuele. It made her wonder if she had ever truly understood him. She used to think Emanuele was warm and polite to their staff, including the cooks and servants. But now, seeing how he treated Isabella, she finally understood why Isabella was heartbroken.

Isabella fancied Emanuele, yet he responded with such indifference. How could she not be heartbroken?

Lilly had no choice but to end her call with Emanuele and turned back to look at the closed door. She didn't know how to break the unfortunate news to Isabella. She was already quite heartbroken, and if she learned that Clark was coming over to live with her in advance, even just to stay together, she couldn't imagine how desperate Isabella would become. But, she would eventually find out.

Lilly sighed and decided to return to the kitchen. Tonight, she planned to make Isabella's favorite dinner: tomato and bacon pasta, grilled sausages, and freshly squeezed orange juice, hoping that these delicious dishes might lift Isabella's spirits.

In the evening, Lilly prepared everything and knocked on Isabella's door, inviting her to dinner. After a while, Isabella opened the door.

She was wearing a pale pink silk pajama set, looking tired. Her eyes, once bright and large, had lost their luster. Over the past few days, it seemed like she had lost a lot of weight, and her pajamas now hung loosely on her.

Lilly felt pity for this young girl. She hugged Isabella gently. "Isabella, you've been in your room all day. Don't stay cooped up. Come out and have dinner."

Isabella followed Lilly to the dining table. She looked at the carefully prepared meal. These were her favorite dishes, and if it were any other time, she would have been delighted and eager to eat.

But now...

Isabella looked at Lilly and said, "Lilly, thank you for preparing this dinner for me." She had no appetite, though, feeling like her stomach was churning. She tried to eat a little more, not wanting to disappoint Lilly, but eventually, she couldn't force it any longer.

Lilly felt deeply for Isabella. "Isabella, you'll get sick if you keep this up."

"I'm fine," Isabella replied. She got up from her seat and headed to her bedroom.

For some reason, her stomach felt really uncomfortable. She wasn't sure if it was from overeating or some other reason, but she couldn't help but rush to the bathroom and vomit.

Isabella ended up throwing up everything she had eaten today, including bile. Afterward, she felt a bit relieved.

But simultaneously, her body felt incredibly cold, like being in a refrigerator. Goosebumps covered her skin.

Isabella's consciousness grew hazy, and she lay down on her bed, thinking that perhaps a good night's sleep would help her feel better.

In her half-asleep state, Isabella heard Lilly's anxious voice, "Yes, Isabella is sick. She seems to have a fever; her forehead is burning hot, and I'm really worried about her."

Isabella briefly woke up but quickly drifted back to sleep.

When she woke up again, she saw Emanuele.

Isabella blinked, thinking she must be mistaken. She tried to open her eyes wider and indeed saw the tall figure and handsome face of a man.

He sat in a chair by her bedside.

Their eyes met, and Isabella felt tears welling up again, but she managed to hold them back. Her voice sounded hoarse, even her efforts to speak made it as small as a mosquito's buzz. She felt terribly weak. "Emanuele, why are you here?" Isabella croaked, her lashes trembling.

Hearing Isabella's question, Emanuele couldn't help but feel a mix of worry and anger. "A few days apart, and you let yourself get into this state?" He gritted his teeth, trying to restrain himself. He didn't want to lash out at Isabella.

God! He rushed here upon hearing that Isabella was sick, and when he saw her in such a fragile state, his concern and anger surged up instantly. He couldn't fathom how Isabella had ended up like this in just a few days. The Isabella he knew was vibrant and tenacious, never shying away from a challenge.

But the Isabella before him now was pale, emaciated, and lying in bed, looking as if she could slip away at any moment.

He couldn't understand how she'd transformed in such a short time.

Isabella's eyelashes trembled slightly when she heard Emanuele's words. A cold smile graced her lips, thinking he didn't care.

She turned her head away from Emanuele. "It doesn't matter, whatever state I'm in is my business, and it has nothing to do with you."

When Emanuele had coldly told her she would marry Clark, stating that she was just one of many women he had, Isabella swore to herself that she wouldn't forgive him. Even though she had feelings for him, she was a girl with pride and self-respect. She wouldn't be easily swayed.

She was a girl with high pride and self-respect. Otherwise, she would have agreed to marry Clark a long time ago. Clark was quite the catch; every girl wanted to marry him. However, no matter what anyone said, she couldn't be swayed.

Emanuele chuckled upon hearing Isabella's words. She had managed to irritate him even in her weakened state. "Isabella, could you not provoke me at a time like this? I don't want to upset you while you're ill," he warned.

He had been mistaken to assume that Isabella had become powerless and fragile. Even with just one breath left, she had the power to get under his skin.

If he could, he would love to torment her the way he had that one night, leaving her with both pain and pleasure, making her submit to him.

Isabella turned to face Emanuele, challenging him. "Then why do you think you can make me marry Clark? I don't want to marry him. You've never respected me, so why should I respect you?"

The tension between them grew thicker. Emanuele clenched his teeth, trying to avoid strangling her out of anger.

"Regardless, Isabella, you will marry Clark. Tomorrow, he will come here, and I hope you two can get along. Don't make me worry anymore," Emanuele said as he stood up. He didn't look at Isabella's changing expression; he didn't want to soften his resolve.

Isabella's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Clark to move in with her so soon. Was Emanuele doing this to help her adapt to living together?

No, she couldn't do it!

"No, Emanuele, you can't do this to me!" Isabella's composure broke, and she couldn't help but cry. Her breath was constricted, and she felt choked. But Emanuele ignored her distress, turned, and left, closing the door behind him.