Inside the VIP hospital room,


    Nte held Isadora''s hand tightly.


    "I know you''re heartbroken after losing Pudding. But you need to take care of yourself—and the baby. You just had a scare, and we were all worried sick about


    you."


    Isadora lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "If it weren''t for me, Pudding would still be alive. The poisoning... I can''t stop thinking about it. Every time I do, it just hurts so much."


    Nte squeezed her hand even harder. "Listen to me, Isadora. This is Rowena''s fault, not yours!"


    Nte''s jaw was clenched with fury. "That woman will stop at nothing to get what she wants. If I ever see her again, I swear I''ll—” She cut herself off, fists trembling.


    "Sometimes I wonder," Isadora murmured, "if I hadn''t pulled my investment from Rowena''s firm, maybe none of this would''ve happened. Maybe Pudding would still be here."


    "No," Nte said firmly. "Someone like her, she''s eaten up by jealousy. Even if it wasn''t this, she''d have found another excuse tosh out. She''d always find a way to hurt someone."


    "So don''t punish yourself over someone who isn''t worth it," Nte insisted. "You have to look forward, Isadora."


    At that moment, the door opened from the hallway.


    Victor stepped in, tall andposed, carrying two insted metal containers. Nte caught sight of him and quickly stood up.


    "I''ll leave you two alone," she said, and slipped out before Isadora could protest.


    Victor approached, setting the containers on the small table beside the bed. One box was divided into fourpartments, the other was a single, deep dish.


    He opened them up.


    A fragrant steam rose from therger container-a pot of hot, nourishing fish soup. The four smaller sections held a variety of light, delicately prepared dishes.


    Hedled some soup into a white porcin bowl, then sat beside Isadora. With long, steady fingers, he lifted a spoonful, blew on it gently, and held it to her lips.


    His expression was calm, the sadness from earlier gone. "You haven''t eaten all night. Have some soup, please."


    Though Isadora felt a little calmer, she had no appetite. She turned her head away. "I don''t want to eat."


    Victor''s eyes softened. He coaxed her, "The doctor says you''re a bit anemic. You need to eat something."


    She shook her head, her voice barely audible. "I really can''t."


    For a moment, Victor''sshes lowered, and a sh of pain crossed his face.


    "Isadora," he said quietly, "I know I failed to protect Pudding. If angry, t


    take it out on me.et


    do this to yourself."


    He brought the spoon to her lips again.


    Isadora took a shaky breath, staring at the soup.


    Whether it was her grief or just her body''s exhaustion, a wave of nausea swept over her. Instinctively, she pushed Victor''s hand-and the spoon-away.


    "I told you, I don''t want it."


    The push was harder than she realized.


    There was a sharp crack as the porcin bowl crashed to the floor, shattering


    instantly. The soup spilled out, pooling across the tile.


    Both of them froze, staring at the mess.


    Victor recovered first. He calmly pressed the call button on the wall.


    Within moments, a cleaningdy.


    arrived with her supplies, swiftly


    clearing away the shards and


    mopping up the spilled soup. When she finished, she slipped out as


    quietly as she''de.


    The room felt tighter than ever, as if the tension was filling it like air in a balloon, ready to burst.


    Isadora''s eyes flickered. After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice


    trembling. "I... I didn''t mean to."


    Victor''s gaze softened. "I know."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!