Chapter 674

The moment Isabella stepped out of the hospital, she didn’t realize she had eyes on her.

She tugged the brim of her hat lower, shielding her face, and hurried toward the nearest bus stop. The first bus that arrived was her escape.

A few yards away, a group of rough-looking men loitered, smoke curling from their cigarettes.

"You sure it's her?" the leader asked, his arms a canvas of tangled tattoos that made it impossible to decipher their meaning.

Eric Simmons, a burly man with a protruding gut, chimed in, "Our guy's been tracking her for weeks."

"Andrew's been lurking around her, showing up when she least expects it. Rumor has it he even took out some guy named Vincent White recently—all for her sake."

Daniel Foster, the leader, narrowed his eyes. "What's her deal? Any background?"

"Fallen heiress. Whole family's gone. She's alone now," Eric replied, scratching his stomach with a lazy grin.

He added, "Gotta admit, she's easy on the eyes. Maybe Andrew's got a soft spot for her. You know how it goes—beauty and danger don’t mix well."

Daniel scoffed, spitting on the pavement. "Andrew? A hero? Don’t make me laugh."

Eric nodded. "Exactly. He’s nothing compared to you, Daniel."

A smirk tugged at Daniel’s lips.

Eric rubbed his chin. "Hard to say. Andrew’s not the type to risk anything for anyone. Word is, he’s ice-cold. Using a woman to control him? Doubt it."

"Damn it!" Daniel snapped, frustration twisting his features. "I can’t stand that bastard! Steals from me, takes my men out—I’ll make him pay!"

Eric held up a hand. "Easy, Daniel. We’ve tangled with Andrew before. We’ll handle this."

Daniel frowned, suspicion gnawing at him.

A woman who could rattle Andrew? That was unusual.

Andrew wasn’t one to let emotions cloud his judgment. Yet he’d been hovering around her, pulling strings behind the scenes.

Did he actually care about her?

If so, why hadn’t he claimed her already?

Unless…

A realization struck Daniel.

"Dig deeper into her past! Find out if she’s got any siblings or connections!"

"On it!" Eric nodded eagerly.

After switching buses multiple times, Isabella finally reached the villa.

She could’ve taken a cab, but she wasn’t taking chances. If Alexander’s men were tracking her, she needed to stay off the radar.

Inside, a maid greeted her.

"Ms. Morgan, you’re back."

"Yeah," Isabella murmured.

She grabbed a glass of water and bolted to her room, shutting the door behind her.

Without hesitation, she swallowed the pills the doctor had prescribed.

"Isabella, what are you taking?"

The sudden voice made her nearly drop the glass.

She turned sharply toward the bed.

Sebastian Powell sat there, watching her.

Isabella had been so focused on the medication—on ending what was growing inside her—that she hadn’t even noticed him.

Setting the glass down, she forced calm into her voice. "Just something for a cold."

To sell it, she coughed lightly.

Sebastian was on his feet instantly.

He pressed a hand to her forehead. "With this weather, you shouldn’t take risks."

His fingers brushed her skin, searching for fever.

Isabella turned away. "I’m fine. Just a sore throat."

"Really?" Sebastian picked up the remaining pills, examining them. "No label. What kind of medicine is this?"

"Just something from the pharmacy. The clerk said it works fast."

Sebastian’s gaze sharpened, but he let it go.

Instead, he pulled her into his arms, his breath warm against her lips. "Did you miss me?"

He’d been tied up with business.

Since Isabella moved into the villa, he hadn’t had time to visit.

"I’m free now," he murmured. "I’ll stay with you for the next few days. How does that sound?"

His hand slid down her back, igniting a trail of heat. His breath teased her cheek, his desire unmistakable.

He removed his glasses, his intent clear.

He wanted her. Now.

Isabella’s instincts screamed to push him away, but before she could, his lips captured hers.

What should have felt intimate only made her skin crawl.

She gripped his wrists, stopping his wandering hands. "Sebastian, I’m not feeling well. Can we stop?"

A sharp pain twisted in her abdomen.

The medication was working too fast.

If this continued, she’d give herself away. The doctor had warned—no intimacy for a month.

But Sebastian wasn’t deterred.

"Isabella, I’ve waited long enough. You’re not backing out now."

Desperate, she blurted, "I saw Emilia earlier. What if Alexander’s men track me here? Do you want us exposed?"

Sebastian froze. "What did you say?"

"This villa is under your name. If they find it, they’ll connect us. I need to leave. Now."

Isabella was engaged to Dominic, yet here she was, tangled with Sebastian. If this got out, it would ruin him.

Dominic would be furious. The Powell family would never forgive it.

Seizing Sebastian’s hesitation, she wrenched free. "For both our sakes, I have to go."

If Sebastian stayed, she’d lose her mind.

Just being near him made her skin crawl.

Distance was the only solution.

Her words finally sank in.

Sebastian frowned. "Leave? Where will you go? A hotel? I’ll drive you—"

"No! There are cameras everywhere. If they catch us together, you’re as good as ruined."

All she wanted was to shake him off.

Her body was betraying her.

The medication was too strong. If she didn’t leave now, she’d slip up.

And that wasn’t an option.