Chapter 376 - 376 - A Fathers Lifeline, A Lovers Vow_Rise of The Abandoned Husband

The newspaper crumpled in my hands as I stared at the headline. My chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.

 "ISABELLE ASHWORTH TO WED DASHIELL BLACKTHORNE: UNION OF HAVENWOOD''S ELITE FAMILIES."

 My eyes fixed on Isabelle''s photo beneath the headline. Her smile didn''t reach her eyes. That subtle detail other people might miss felt like a knife twisting in my gut.

 "When?" I demanded, my voice cracking.

 Eamon Greene fidgeted nervously. "The article says September 9th. In Veridia City."

 September 9th. Six months from now.

 I threw the covers off and stood up, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through my side.

 "I need to go to the Ashworth family now," I said, searching for my clothes. "I need to see her."

 Sofia stepped forward, blocking my path. "Elder Knight, you can''t leave in your condition."

 "Move aside," I growled, the desperation in my voice surprising even me.

 Eamon backed away, clearly rmed by my reaction. "Liam, please think about this. The Ashworths will kill you if you show up now."

 "I don''t care!" I shouted, myposure shatteringpletely. "They''ve forced her into this! Look at her face in that photo. She''s miserable!"

 I grabbed my shirt from the nearby chair, wincing as the movement pulled at my healing wound. The thought of Isabelle with Dashiell ckthorne made my blood boil. I couldn''t let this happen. I wouldn''t.

 "I''ll tear that mansion apart brick by brick if I have to," I muttered, struggling with my buttons.

 Sofia tried again. "Please, Elder Knight, you''re not thinking clearly—"

 "Get out of my way!" I snapped, my patience gone. "I won''t let them do this to her!"

 "Enough."

 The single word, spoken with quiet authority, froze everyone in the room.

 Mariana Valerius stood in the doorway, her expression stern. The Pavilion Master''s presence instantly changed the atmosphere in the room.

 "Leave us," shemanded.

 Sofia and Eamon quickly departed, closing the door behind them.

 Mariana walked toward me, her keen eyes assessing my condition. "Sit down, Liam."

 "Pavilion Master, I need to—"

 "Sit. Down." Her voice left no room for argument. ThefullseriesishostedonMyVirtualLibraryEmpire,knownas*.

 I reluctantly perched on the edge of the bed, my body trembling with a mix of rage and despair.

 "So you''ve heard about the engagement," she said, taking a seat in the chair beside my bed.

 "I need to go to her," I insisted, my voice hoarse with emotion.

 "And do what exactly?" Mariana asked coldly. "Storm the Ashworth mansion? Fight through their security forces with your half-healed body? Die on their doorstep before you even see her?"

 Her words struck like ps across my face.

 "What would you have me do?" I demanded. "Just sit here while they—"

 "Yes," Mariana interrupted. "That''s exactly what I expect you to do."

 I stared at her in disbelief.

 "Look at yourself," she continued mercilessly. "You''re weak. Emotional. Unable to think clearly. In this state, you''re no help to Isabelle or yourself."

 "But—"

 "The wedding is set for September 9th," Mariana pointed out. "That''s over six months away. If you truly care for her, you''ll use that time wisely instead of throwing your life away today."

 The logic in her words prated my anger. Six months. I had six months to be strong enough to save Isabelle.

 My shoulders slumped as the fight drained out of me. "What do I do?"

 Mariana''s expression softened slightly. "First, recover. Then train. Grow stronger. Master your gifts. The Celestial Apothecary Guild can help you, but only if you help yourself first."

 I nodded slowly, the haze of rage clearing enough for me to see reason.

 "Isabelle wouldn''t want you to die for her," Mariana added gently. "She would want you to live for her."

 The truth of her words hit home. I took a deep breath, trying to center myself.

 "I understand," I finally said. "Thank you for stopping me."

 Mariana nodded, satisfied. "Rest now. We''ll discuss your path forward tomorrow."

 She rose to leave but paused at the door. "Liam, remember this feeling. Remember what it''s like to be powerless. Let it fuel you, but never let it control you."

 After she left, Iy back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The image of Isabelle''s unhappy face in that newspaper haunted me. I had to get stronger. I had to find a way to save her.

 Hourster, a soft knock at my door roused me from troubled thoughts.

 "Come in," I called, expecting Sofia with more medicine.

 Instead, Michael Ashworth entered, looking tired but determined.

 I sat up straighter. "Old Man Ashworth."

 "Liam," he greeted me with a nod. "May I sit?"

 I gestured to the chair, studying his face. Despite everything, I couldn''t hate this man. He had saved my life twice now.

 "You''ve heard about Isabelle," he said. It wasn''t a question.

 "Yes." My jaw tightened. "Your family is forcing her to marry Dashiell ckthorne."

 Michael sighed heavily. "It''s not that simple. Corbin has been nning this alliance for years. The ckthornes have wealth and power that even the Ashworths need."

 "And Isabelle''s happiness means nothing?" I challenged.

 "Of course it does," Michael replied sharply. "Why do you think I''m here?"

 That caught me off guard. "What do you mean?"

 Michael leaned forward, his eyes intense. "I foresaw this. I knew Corbin would push for this marriage once I was presumed dead. That''s why I influenced the wedding date."

 "You...what?" I struggled to understand.

 "September 9th, Liam. Six months from now." Michael''s voice grew urgent. "I made sure the ceremony wouldn''t happen immediately. I bought you time."

 Hope flickered inside me. "Time for what?"

 "Time to be who you''re meant to be." Michael reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box. "Time to fulfill the potential I saw in you years ago."

 He ced the box in my hands. Inside was a simple jade pendant, glowing faintly with inner light.

 "This belonged to your father," Michael said quietly.

 My breath caught. "My father? You knew him?"

 Michael nodded. "Not well, but enough to recognize the same power in you. Keep it close. It will help guide your path."

 I stared at the pendant, a thousand questions swirling in my mind. About my father. About my mysterious powers. About how Michael knew so much.

 "Why are you helping me?" I finally asked.

 Michael''s expression turned sad. "Because I owe you more than I can repay. Because I used you, Liam. I engineered your entry into our family, knowing what might await you there."

 The admission should have angered me, but somehow it didn''t. "You had your reasons."

 "I did. But that doesn''t absolve me." He looked me directly in the eyes. "Isabelle knows nothing of my survival or my involvement. But she believes in you, Liam. Even now."

 My heart clenched. "She''s counting on me to stop this wedding?"

 "She hasn''t said it in words. But I know my granddaughter." Michael smiled faintly. "There''s an inexplicable expectation in her eyes. She believes you''lle for her."

 Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. The burden of her faith in me felt overwhelming, yet it gave me strength too.

 "I won''t let her down," I whispered, clutching the jade pendant tightly.

 "It won''t be easy," Michael warned. "Corbin and Roderick ckthorne are powerful men with many resources."

 "I don''t care how powerful they are," I said, a new resolve hardening in my voice. "I''ll be stronger. I''ll find a way."

 Michael nodded, satisfied by what he saw in my face. "I believe you will. And I''ll help where I can, though my movements must remain secret."

 He stood to leave, pausing at the door. "Isabelle is under constant surveince now. Any attempt to contact her directly would put both of you in danger."

 "I understand," I said, though the thought of not seeing her tore at my heart.

 "Focus on healing, then on growing stronger," Michael advised. "The Pavilion Master is a powerful ally. Learn everything you can from her."

 As he turned to go, I called after him. "Thank you. For everything."

 Michael nced back with a sad smile. "Don''t thank me yet, Liam. The hardest part of your journey is still ahead."

 After he left, I sat in silence, turning the jade pendant over in my hands. Its soft glow seemed to pulse with my heartbeat, connecting me to a father I never knew.

 I thought about Isabelle, about her believing in me when everyone else had written me off. The memory of her smile, her touch, her kindness when no one else showed me any—these memories strengthened my resolve.

 Standing, I walked to the window and looked out at the Havenwood City skyline. Somewhere out there, Isabelle was waiting, maybe hoping I would find a way to free her.

 "I will not let Isabelle marry Dashiell ckthorne," I vowed, my determination burning like fire in my veins. "No matter what it takes, I will save her."

17kNovel

Chapter 376 - 376 - A Fathers Lifeline, A Lovers Vow