Chapter 15

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Isabella

Isabella was worried sick about Alexander. He hadn't come back since he calmed her down from her breakdown. He had left in the middle of a sentence, and now she didn't know what to do. She didn't have his number, and she barely knew anything about this enormous mansion. The emptiness and silence of the place made her nervous.

Mustering her courage, she decided to call Matteo to inquire about Alexander's whereabouts. Isabella was trembling at the thought of anything happening to him, and her introverted nature made the idea of talking to Matteo on the phone even more daunting. Taking a deep breath, she mustered up the courage and dialed his number.

Before the phone could ring, the doorbell chimed, causing her heart to race with a flood of wide and vivid thoughts.

What if someone had come to kidnap her?
What if someone was looking for Alexander?

Or worse, what if her cousin had found her?

Trying to calm herself, she grabbed a broom as a makeshift weapon and cautiously made her way downstairs. Her legs trembled, and her entire body shook as she reached the door. With a deep breath, she opened it, ready to defend herself.

To her surprise, instead of an intruder, she saw Matteo supporting Alexander, who was struggling to stand. Alexander's shirt was torn, his body was covered in bruises, and his lip was bleeding from the side. Yet, despite his battered appearance, a medal hung around his neck.

Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "Alexander? What happened to him?"

Matteo, sensing her concern, spoke up. "He had a wrestling contest today. And, congratulations, he won."

Isabella stared at Matteo in disbelief. "Congratulations? Have you seen his condition?"

Alexander, gritting his teeth in pain, interrupted. "Sometimes, we must sacrifice a piece of ourselves to gain something greater."

Isabella shut her mouth immediately, unable to argue with his resolute tone. She felt a mix of anger, concern, and helplessness. Her mind raced with questions, but all she could do was stand there, unsure of what to say or do next. The tension in the air was palpable, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something more was going on.

Isbella didn't dare utter a single word as she assisted Matteo in helping Alexander to his house. She knew he needed proper care and was determined to ensure he received it. Once they reached his room, she helped Martio lay Alexander on the bed and began tending to his injuries. After a while, Estella turned to Martio and softly said, "I'll take it from here. You can leave If you want it's already too late ."

Matteo nodded, looking at her with a hint of sympathy. "Thank you, Isbella, for helping him. He's such a bastard for not respecting you. I'm sorry on his behalf."

Isbella offered him a sincere smile, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "It's okay, Martio. I'm his wife; it's my duty,"
she replied with a shy smile, a sense of resolve in her voice.

As Matteo left the room, Isbella turned her attention back to Alexander. He was lying there, sleeping peacefully, the usual frown absent from his face. She couldn't help but think about how innocent and beautiful he looked in his sleep, a stark contrast to the dangerous and ruthless demeanor he exhibited when awake.
For a moment, she allowed herself to marvel at the duality of the man she married-gentle in slumber and fierce in the waking world.

But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. She gathered the necessary supplies and began carefully cleaning his wounds.

As she worked, she couldn't help but wonder about the life they had together and the challenges they faced. Despite everything, she felt a deep sense of responsibility and care for him. It was a complex mix of duty, love, and confusion, but she was determined to be there for him, no matter what.

At that moment, while looking at Alexander, Isbella was overwhelmed with a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. She wasn't entirely sure what this man meant to her, but she knew one thing for certain: she wanted to stand by his side, just as he had always been there for her.

The thought of leaving him alone was unbearable, so she quickly went into the kitchen and then to the bathroom, gathering all the medications she could find. She returned with a first-aid kit and sat beside Alexander on the bed.

As she assessed his injuries, she noticed his lip was bleeding, a scratch ran across his eye, and bruises marred his entire body. Isbella felt a pang of helplessness, unsure of how to properly tend to his wounds. Despite her uncertainty, she knew she had to try. She gently tried to lift Alexander from the bed, struggling with his weight but managing to prop him up against the headboard. With trembling hands, she began unbuttoning his shirt, carefully removing it to reveal his bare chest.

As she applied ointment to his bruises, Alexander twitched slightly but soon relaxed, slipping into unconsciousness.

Isbella's heart raced as she took in the sight of his muscular chest, a stark contrast to her own soft, delicate frame. A rush of unfamiliar feelings washed over her, and she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with anxiety. She tightened her grip on the ointment tube, her legs instinctively pressing together as she felt a strange warmth spreading through her body.

Determined to stay focused, Isbella finished treating the bruises on his chest and moved on to his face. She carefully dabbed ointment on his split lip, then gently tended to the scratch near his eye. With each touch, she felt a deeper connection to him, a mixture of concern and a newfound awareness of her own emotions.

After ensuring that Alexander's wounds were properly treated, Isbella helped him lie back down on the bed. She pulled the quilt over his body, tucking him in with care. She turned off the lamp, casting the room in soft shadows, and watched him for a moment, her heart still racing. As she stood by his bedside, she realized just how much she cared for him, even if she couldn't fully comprehend the extent of her feelings.

With a final, tender glance, Isbella left him to rest, quietly closing the door behind her. Exhausted but unable to leave his side, she walked over to the nearby sofa and lay down, pulling a blanket over herself. As she settled in, her mind replayed the events of the evening, filled with concern and an inexplicable warmth. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, a sense of calm washed over her, knowing she had done everything she could for Alexander. As her eyes grew heavy, she whispered a silent promise to stay by his side, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

With that, she closed her eyes and drifted into a restless sleep, the room filled with the soft sound of their breathing, marking the end of a long, tumultuous day.

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