Chapter 97

After seeing Qiana and Jeremy off, Michael gave Jerry and Aaron some instructions and sent them on their way.

Jerry had to deliver laundry to Isabella and Michael the next day, so he took off.

But Aaron wasn't having it. This hotel was in the middle of nowhere with crappy security. The only guard, an old guy in his sixties, whose eyesight was failing, and hearing was almost non-existent, was shaky on his feet.Honestly, a mean dog would be a more formidable deterrent.

Aaron was worried and insisted on sticking around just in case.

Michael knew Aaron was brave and thorough, and he appreciated the concern. So, he told Aaron to get a room nearby and keep an eye out, but no need to stand guard at the door.

Terry popped up from somewhere, grinning like a fool. "Michael,what's the deal with that woman inside? Why did Qiana leave so fast?"

"None of your business!" Michael snapped. He was sure Terry was the one who ratted them out. He turned around and slammed the door, leaving Terry standing there, looking dumbfounded.

Terry had risked his neck to tip off Jeremy, but got nothing in return and was now getting the cold shoulder from Michael. He decided to go find Jeremy and sort things out.

Finally,Michael had some peace and quiet. After sending everyone away,he could finally relax.

He walked to the bed, lifted the covers, and lay down.

A pair of warm little hands reached over and grabbed his.

"Michael, where did you go?" Isabella's voice was shaky.

"I sent Aaron and Jerry away," Michael said. "It's late.They need to rest too."

Isabella asked, "Michael, I thought I heard voices outside. Who was it?"

She was half-asleep and didn't catch everything. She vaguely heard a girl's voice, which was really pleasant, and a familiar man's voice, not Michael's.but she couldn't place it.

"Isabella, you're still awake?" Michael asked, propping himself up and gently stroking her swollen lips. To stay awake, Isabella had bitten her lips.leaving little wounds.

Michael thought she was exhausted and wouldn't wake up until the next day,but here she was,still awake.

A sleepless night was going to be long.

"Are you okay? Tell me if you're uncomfortable. I'm here. I won't let you suffer," Michael said, his hand moving from her lips, sliding down to her soft chest.

Isabella grabbed his wandering hand and whispered, "Michael, I'm fine."

Luckily, the room was dimly lit, or he'd see her face turning as red as a tomato.

Isabella's body was no longer uncomfortable, but her heart was aching.

As she fully woke up, everything came rushing back. She remembered Sophia drugging her, Aiden ditching her for more money, Ryan's actions,and how Michael used his body to detoxify her.

She always knew Aiden didn't care about her. When she was a kid, Aiden ignored her, like her life didn't matter to him. It was Ella who raised her by collecting and selling scrap, one bottle at a time. Later,when she started working. Aiden let Sophia hit her up for money and kept trying to sell her off to rich folks for a quick buck.

After she married Michael, he cut ties with her for eight hundred thousand dollars.

This time, he teamed up with Sophia to trick her into drinking drugged wine.

Isabella never expected fatherly love from Aiden, but using family as a cover to hurt her was a new low.

Being betrayed and hurt by Aiden stung just as much, no matter how little she expected from him.

Thinking about it, Isabella buried her face in Michael's chest,her hot tears silently streaming down, soaking his bare skin.

Michael lifted her up and kissed away her tears.

He didn't know how to comfort her and couldn't fully understand her pain.Poor Isabella! First, Aiden sold her for eight hundred thousanda dollars,

then Sophia drugged her and sent her to Ryan for his amusement.

He couldn't fathom how a family like Aiden's could exist. Compared to Isabella, he was incredibly lucky. In the Johnson Family, no matter how much he argued with Wesley and Qiana, and no matte what crazy things he did, he always felt their love.

He instinctively wondered, 'Could Aiden be so cold because he isn't Isabella's real dad? This needs to be thoroughly checked out by Aaron. Aiden shouldn't get away with it.'

Under Michael's soothing, Isabella gradually calmed down. She lay on his arm, her arm around his neck, looking at him intently, and asked eagerly,"Michael,am I beautiful?"

.Michael swallowed and nodded, thinking to himself, 'You're so sexy.

Getting his nod, Isabella continued, "Michael, am I kind?"

Thinking of the stray cats Isabella fed regularly inthe villa's yard,Michael nodded again.

"Michael, am I excellent?" she asked.

Isabella got into Crestwood College with high scores and started working at the top company, the Johnson Group, rightafter graduation. Even if it was in a branch office, it proved that Isabella was exceptionally smart.

Thinking of this, Michael nodded again.

"I'm so excellent, yet they still abandoned me and tried to use me and hurt me. Since I was a kid, I've always been better than Bianca, but my dad never praised me," Isabella said in a low, sad voice, "Michael, I evendoubt if I'm his real daughter."

Michael placed her on top of him, their chests pressed together. He gently stroked her smooth back and softly comforted her, "Isabella, don't worry about them. Look at me, youstill have me. I'm yours."

Once the seed of doubt was planted, it quickly took root and grew.

Michael felt a bit relieved and finally put down his phone. He sighed. It had been an exhausting day. Lying in bed, he changed his position.hugged Isabella, inhaled her intoxicating scent, and fell into a deep sleep.