About ten minutes later, Anna left the graveyard. She had regained her composure by this point. “I know where Isabella might be,” she said solemnly to Wayne.
***
The weather in Seriel City was milder than in Birmingham, but the constant rain was disturbing. Isabella was sitting on the couch, typing on her laptop. She felt dizzy as she stared solemnly at every word on the screen.
Outside the window, the wind tapped against the glass like a breeze blowing in. Isabella tightened the blanket around her and went to get herself some water. After that, she looked up “What are the risks people face when they have AIDS” on Google.
Before pouring a glass of warm water and retrieving the medicine from the closet, she paused in the doorway for a moment. She felt sick as she swallowed the medicine and washed it with another glass of water.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
“Just leave the takeout outside,” Isabella yelled at the front door. However, the person outside did not appear to hear and rang the doorbell several more times. She didn’t give it much thought and went straight to the door.
When she opened the door, she was shocked and speechless by what she saw. Instantly, she dropped the cup in her hand, which thudded the carpet, and the warm water soaked her slippers.
Seconds later, her cup rolled to the ground and touched Jasper’s feet. At the moment, the thin suit Jasper was wearing was drenched with rain. His hair and face were wet, and he seemed to have tears in his eyes.
Isabella clung to the door’s edge. She had no idea he’d find his way here. And she could no longer hide her resignation and helplessness after coming back to her senses. She hugged him tightly as if she didn’t care that the rain would get her clean clothes wet. While hugging him, she felt that his chest wasn’t as warm as it used to be, but it was still strong, making her feel safe as she nearly collapsed.
In return, Jasper embraced Isabella as if he had found his long-lost treasure. He had been finding her for the past few days, so he hadn’t even slept much.
Then Liam ran over in a hurry and said, “I found clean clothes for you, Mr. Thomas. You…”
Liam came up with a few clean clothes in his arms and was taken aback by what he saw. He was so shocked that he covered his mouth with one hand.
Isabella let go of Jasper when she heard Liam’s voice. She moved to the side and gestured for Jasper to come inside. “You should take a hot shower,” She said to Jasper.
“Wait for me in the car,” With a frown, Jasper said as he took the clothes from Liam. Liam immediately left and ran to the elevator.
Ten minutes later, Jasper left the bathroom and put on clean clothes. He was still attractive, but the stubble on his cheeks and the blood in his eyes made him appear pale and a bit haggard.
Isabella sat on the sofa, glued to the television. The living room was dark, with only the faint light of the TV illuminating her.
“Come back home with me,” Jasper said while the bright light behind him made him appear unreal as he stood in the kitchen doorway.
“No, I can’t go back with you,” Isabella said without looking up. Isabella had accepted this fact by this point. She knew why he was here and what he was going to say. “I can’t go back with you right now. I’ll return by myself after I finish my medication, run my tests, and make sure everything is fine,” she said flatly.
Jasper was standing far away from her, gazing at her with cold, determined eyes. “Are you prepared to deal with the worst-case scenario? Are you going to hide here for the rest of your life?”
Isabella, of course, considered it. But she was still in a trance when she heard Jasper say this. She turned up the volume and collapsed on the couch, pretending she hadn’t heard anything. Nearly shedding tears, she thought to herself, Sorry, Jasper. I really don’t have the answers to your questions. If I get infected, there’s no way that I could stay with you. Shit! I’m nothing more than a liability now! Why did it happen to me?
Jasper approached her, blocking the light from the television screen. He lowered his gaze to the young girl on the couch. At the same time, her long silky hair fell over her shoulders, and her expression was detached. She held a pillow in her hand and refused to look him directly in the eye.
“Come back with me, Isabella. I will take care of you for the rest of your life, no matter what happens later,” Jasper sounded extremely determined. His voice rang out in the large living room like a church bell, striking Isabella’s fragile heart.
Isabella was almost convinced after hearing the words, but she had to force herself to stay sober. She burst out crying and said, “Jasper, I probably have AIDS. It’s not a cold, nor is it asthma! It’s god-damn AIDS! How are you going to look after me?! I’ve been afraid to see or talk to people because I’m afraid I’ll infect them!” She cried aloud after covering her face with her hands, making Jasper feel sad too.
“I’m only your adopted daughter! I have no biological ties to you. You can adopt another daughter if you want one. I don’t want to get anyone involved in this mess, especially you. Go back home, Jasper. Leave me alone.” Isabella’s voice became louder as she stopped sobbing.
As she expected, Jasper did not leave. He called her name softly, his voice deep and affectionate,” Isabella, then, don’t be my daughter.”
Then, much to her surprise, he leaned down, lifted her chin with one hand, and kissed her softly. Instantly, everything had broken her. Their tongues were already entwined when she realized what was going on. And she had the sensation that fire was surrounding and engulfing her. Isabella tried to break free, but he held her tightly in his arms. This time, they weren’t drunk or being drugged, and they were kissing because they wanted to.
Isabella was still desperate. Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking her dress. She fought him with all her might but failed again.
Meanwhile, Jasper’s breathing became increasingly rapid. Rather than restrain himself, he began to do what he desired. He treated Isabella as if she were a woman rather than his adoptive daughter. All of those tortures had made him realize what he really wanted.
Isabella tasted something sweet, so she opened her eyes in surprise. She was completely desperate and began to whimper, followed by an irresistible shudder.
“You have no reason to refuse me, now, do you?” Jasper asked as he let go of her hand.
In a panic, Isabella spat out a mouthful of blood and dragged Jasper to the bathroom. Her pale face was covered in tears. She fumbled in the cabinet for a bottle of mouthwash, shoved it into Jasper’s hand, and said, “Rinse your mouth!” She then returned to the living room to retrieve her cell phone and called 911.
“I need an ambulance,” she said in a panic.
“I bit him! He’ll become infected.”
“AIDS.”
When the operator asked about her disease, Isabella’s mind went blank for a second. She knelt on the floor and sobbed as she hung up, feeling more desperate than ever.
Later, Jasper emerged from the bathroom and hugged her from behind. His warm breath blew into her ear as he said, “Come home with me, Isabella.”
修改幅度
Two months later.
Tammy approached Anna as she came down the stairs in her coat and asked, “Where are you going, Mommy? Daddy is bullying Matthew.”
Anna glanced at the living room and found Matthew and Wayne playing chess face to face.
“You’re going to lose again, Matthew,” Wayne’s face was calm, but he spoke in a smug tone.
Hearing that, Tammy couldn’t help but comment, “Matthew, you’ve already been defeated several times. You may have to perform a hundred push-ups if you lose again.”
“They’re making a bet?” Anna was surprised.
“Yes, Matthew has already lost many times. I will get a camera and record him doing his push-ups later,” Tammy chuckled.
Anna had a brilliant idea when she realized how sympathetic Tammy appeared to Matthew. In Tammy’s ear, she muttered something. Upon hearing her words, Tammy became excited. She dashed toward them, leaning over Wayne’s shoulder and shouting, “Daddy! I’m so bored.”
Wayne turned to face her, and his solemn expression became tender. “How about I play video games with you after I finish playing chess?” he suggested.
“I want to play the game right now.” She sat on the wooden floor, dragging Wayne’s arm, so Wayne had no choice but to get up.
“Would you like to sit next to me and watch me beat Matthew?” He asked.
Tammy’s eyes shone brightly. “OK!” she said loudly, winking toward Wayne’s back.
“Are you going to the hospital now, honey?” Wayne noticed Anna standing behind him and he asked.
“Yeah, I’m leaving right now.” Anna smiled sweetly, but her eyes were cunning.
Wayne was in a much better mood when he saw Anna smiling happily. With a gentle smile, he reminded her, “Bye, Anna. Don’t forget to pick up Grandpa tonight. Ryan and Emily will be home soon as well.”
“All right, I’m leaving,” Anna said as she walked away.
Matthew said impatiently, “Don’t play dumb, Dad. It’s your turn now.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.