Can't Win Me Back (Isabella and Nathan) novel Chapter 44

However, she quickly suppressed her uneasy emotions, coldly changed her shoes, and began to walk upstairs, completely ignoring Nathan as if he were invisible.

Nathan, furious, shouted, "Isabella, stop right there!"

Isabella paused at the stairs and looked down at him.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Where did you go so late? Don't you think you should explain yourself?"

Nathan questioned.

Isabella frowned.

"I remember, just today you said we're living our own lives, minding our own business, and not interfering with each other. So, where I went seems like something I don't need to tell you, doesn't it?"

Nathan was left speechless.

He hadn't expected to be slapped in the face so quickly.

Previously, he was certain that a woman like Isabella, with no background or social standing, wouldn't be able to find a man better than him.

He also believed that someone as traditional as Isabella wouldn't be capable of doing anything so bold.

That's why he had shamelessly proposed their open marriage, expecting no resistance.

But now, he was beginning to regret it.

He walked up to her, his face tight with anger.

"Even if we have an open marriage, don't forget, you're still Mrs. Hill. Your words and actions can't bring shame to the Hill family."

Isabella crossed her arms, mocking him, "Nathan, you really have mastered double standards."

Her dismissive attitude infuriated him, and before she could react, he grabbed her throat, lifting her chin. Isabella winced in pain, letting out a hiss.

In that moment, a strange image flashed in her mind—the memory of Theodore gently lifting her chin earlier that day...

The same gesture, but while Nathan's was filled with cruelty and contempt, Theodore's was soft and caring.

Isabella couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

Nathan had never loved her at all. Why had she spent an entire lifetime unable to see his true nature?

But Theo, despite everything, had always respected her—he truly cared for her.

Nathan's eyes softened for a moment as he saw the change in Isabella's gaze. Confused, he released her throat with disgust.

Isabella rubbed her reddened neck, remembering how Theodore's touch had left no marks on her.

His respect for her was reflected in every little detail.

Her miserable life, which seemed so bleak, suddenly didn't feel so hopeless, because of the warmth Theo brought her.

She smiled, her face lifting with joy.

Nathan narrowed his eagle eyes, confused.

He had been so rough with her, and yet, she was smiling?

Could it be that his touch had stirred up feelings in her that she shouldn't have?

His tone grew colder with distaste.

"Who was the man you were with today?"

Isabella's gaze turned icy as she locked eyes with him.

"None of your business."

Nathan, sharp as ever, finally sensed that the gentleness she had shown earlier wasn't meant for him.

His anger flared up.

"Who is he, exactly?"

"Isabella, you're a married woman—how can you get so close to another man?"

Isabella shot back, her words sharp as a knife.

"What about you and my Sis?"

Nathan was seething, his face turning red with fury.

"I'm innocent with your Sis!"

Isabella sneered.

"Nathan, you hide behind the guise of family affection, yet you're having an affair with her.

It's disgusting, do you know that?"

Isabella swallowed hard.

"Cheating isn't just physical, Nathan. Emotional betrayal counts too."

Nathan froze in place.

Her words felt like a hammer, nailing him to the cross of shame.

For the first time, Nathan realized that his closeness with Victoria was something Isabella despised.

After speaking, Isabella turned around and casually walked away. To prevent Nathan from causing trouble for Theodore, she left a parting remark, "We're just friends."

Then she realized—this was Nathan's way of apologizing.

He always did this: slap her hard, then give her a sweet reward.

In the past, she had fallen for it.

But now that her love was gone, she no longer felt the need to indulge Nathan.

Isabella yawned, uninterested.

"Can I skip it?"

The maid was stunned. This rare opportunity, and Madam wasn't going to seize it?

The maid hesitated.

"Madam, sir said this banquet is an important event for high society, a gathering of wealthy families.

It concerns the Hill family's image in front of other family elders.

You should take it seriously. If anything goes wrong, Madam might bear the consequences."

Isabella's drowsiness faded away as the maid's nagging wore her down. Reluctantly, she got out of bed, washed up, had breakfast, and was dragged out of the door by the maid.

At the mall,

The maid took Isabella to the largest luxury dress store in the capital. And of course, she ran into Victoria.

"Miss Jones, I'm here to pick up the dress I ordered."

Victoria looked like a regular at the luxury store. She chatted casually with the staff.

"Miss Moore, we know you have an important banquet tonight, so your dress has already been prepared."

The attendant brought out a dress box, presenting it with great respect.

"Mr. Hill specifically instructed us to clean the dress before letting Miss Moore try it on.

Would you like me to assist you with trying it on, Miss Moore?"

Victoria nodded gracefully.

The attendant opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond-encrusted gown, dazzling in its beauty. It was extravagant and valuable, catching Isabella's eye.

Isabella stared at the glamorous dress, lost in thought.

It was clear now—Nathan was planning for Victoria to accompany him to the banquet tonight. So what did he mean by arranging all of this for her?

Victoria walked out of the fitting room in the dress, looking like a fairy. The diamonds glittered, casting a cold glow that highlighted her flawless, snow-white skin. She looked ethereal, untouched by the world.

Isabella was even more confused.