Chapter 724

The moment Alexander ended the call, his phone rang again.

Fatefully, it was another call from the hospital.

"Are you Mr. Whitmore? Family of Ms. Morgan?"

Alexander's voice softened. "What happened?"

"Ms. Morgan has regained consciousness after leaving ICU. She's extremely frail but stable now. She traced letters on my palm - seems to be asking for you."

Isabella had been in a coma for over two weeks. Doctors had warned she might never wake up if unconscious beyond three days.

Alexander grabbed his coat and strode out. "I'm on my way."

By the time he finished speaking, he was already exiting the building.

The general ward smelled of antiseptic and medicine.

Isabella lay motionless, an oxygen mask obscuring half her ghostly pale face from blood loss.

Her fingers twitched when Alexander entered. Her gaze locked onto him with desperate intensity.

The nurses had told her - he was the one who saved her that night.

Alexander approached the bed.

Relief washed over him seeing her awake. "Thank God you're conscious. You need rest."

"Alexander..." Her voice emerged as a painful rasp.

Weeks without solid food left her lips cracked, throat burning like shards of glass with every word.

He immediately reached for the water, dabbing moisture onto her parched lips.

Alexander wasn't alone.

Police officers had maintained constant vigil - she was both victim and key witness in an unsolved case.

Seeing her alert, one officer stepped forward. "Ms. Morgan, can you describe what happened that night? Who attacked you?"

Isabella shook her head weakly.

"I... don't remember."

"Complete memory loss?" The officer's eyebrows shot up.

She wasn't lying.

The human brain sometimes erases traumatic events as self-protection. Isabella genuinely recalled nothing beyond the agony and missing kidney.

Even her attacker's face had vanished from her mind.

The attending physician explained, "Post-traumatic stress disorder. Memory suppression can be beneficial - otherwise those nightmares would haunt her perpetually."

Alexander's brow furrowed. "Permanently?"

"Not necessarily." The doctor hedged. "Certain triggers might restore those memories someday."

With no leads from Isabella, the police reluctantly departed.

Alexander sent an assistant for broth - the only nourishment her ravaged system could handle now.

Though the memories were gone, the crushing despair remained. Her eyes reflected hollow emptiness.

Surviving this ordeal had been pure luck.

Alexander had intended to go easy on her, given the horrific price she'd paid.

Yet one question burned in his mind.

"Sebastian visited multiple times during your coma." His voice turned icy. "What's your relationship?"

He'd stationed guards who reported Sebastian's covert visits.

Isabella froze. Her lips parted soundlessly.

The truth was worse than Alexander knew - not just a stolen kidney, but a lost pregnancy. He must have seen the medical reports.

Her silence stretched.

Alexander's jaw tightened. "Are you in love with him?"

"Never!" Her denial came sharp and instant. "I despise him!"

She clutched Alexander's sleeve. "That night after leaving your estate, I encountered Sebastian. He took me to his villa and then..."

Alexander's face darkened like thunder. "He forced himself on you? That's rape! I'll make sure he rots in prison!"

His mind reeled. Engaged to Dominic yet violated by his brother?

"No!" Isabella cut in desperately. "It's humiliating. Please, let it go."

"After all you've suffered?" Disbelief colored his voice. He'd always treated her like a sister - this violation couldn't stand.

"I want nothing more to do with the Powells." Her eyes lowered. "Even if prosecuted, he'd get minimal jail time. If you truly wish to help, dissolve my engagement with Dominic."

The attack had left her half-crippled, altering everything except one certainty - she'd never marry into that poisonous family.

Alexander exhaled heavily. "Done. But on one condition."

She looked up.

"You need rehabilitation. I've arranged a specialized facility abroad. Once stable, you'll go."

He'd suggested this before - had she listened, she might still have both kidneys.

Tears welled in Isabella's eyes.

Though out of ICU, weakness plagued every limb. Simple movements exhausted her.

The jagged scar across her abdomen would remain forever - a lifelong reminder.

Suddenly, fragmented bloody images flashed behind her eyelids.

Her lips trembled as emotions overwhelmed her. The doctor was right - forgotten memories could resurface without warning.

For years to come, this trauma would shadow her existence.

Tears spilled over. "I'll go."

Her rabbit-red eyes and fragile demeanor seemed moments from shattering.

"But... may I have one hug?"

Alexander's heart clenched at her brokenness. He knew every ounce of pain she'd endured.

Gently, he patted her back. "Don't dwell on it. Rest now."

Isabella leaned into his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

Beyond the doorway, Evelyn stood frozen, eyes rimmed red.

After treating Dominic with acupuncture, she'd considered going home.

Yet concern for Isabella's prolonged coma drew her here instead.

To witness Alexander embracing another woman.

So this was his early morning destination - not the office, but Isabella's bedside.

Evelyn turned away silently, disappearing down the sterile hallway.