Chapter 146

"Emilio, you really have everything planned out, even counting when I'm getting a divorce!" Michael's expression darkened, and his tone lost its politeness. "Too bad, you miscalculated. Not just a month, Isabella and I will never get divorced in this lifetime. If you think you can compete with me for Isabella, you better give up now! Well, and I forgot to tell you something. We had a wonderful night together last night. Do you still think using divorce to provoke me has any meaning?"

After speaking, Michael reached out and wrapped his arm around Isabella from behind the chair.

His movements were so practiced that they didn't seem like those of a couple about to divorce.

When Michael's large hand wrapped around her, Isabella couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart, realizing she indeed still had unresolved feelings for Michael.

If she didn't truly care about Michael, she wouldn't have stopped resisting and lain beneath him, letting him have his way, just because he said his wound had reopened.

She had been insisting on on divorcing him. But only she knew that she could deceive everyone but not her own heart.

She was indeed swayed by Michael's goodness.

But right now, she couldn't let Michael bully Emilio, who was speaking up for her.

But before she could speak, Michael had already seen through her.

He pulled her into his arms with a bit more force, kissed the top of her head, and softly said, "Isabella, wasn't I right just now?"

He deliberately showed a harmonious side of their marriage in front of Emilio.

But to Isabella, these actions were just tools for him to show off.

She understood clearly that a proud man like Michael was always surrounded by admirers wherever he went.

Now, being provoked by Emilio, he could only hold onto her to regain his male pride and pathetic self-esteem.

Her eyes had lost all warmth, but she couldn't break free from Michael's grip, only struggling silently in his arms.

But to Emilio, this was evidence of their rekindled love.

Seeing that, He couldn't stand it.

He got up and left. "Isabella, let's end it here for today. I have something to do, so I'll head back first."

He wasn't angry at Isabella but at Michael, who was forcing her to forget the past and accept him again.

Staying any longer would only make Michael say more hurtful things to her, so he decided to leave.

But that didn't mean he would give up on Isabella. Even if she didn't love him, he would help her leave this unsuitable relationship.

"Emilio," Isabella called out urgently, but Emilio was determined to leave and walked straight out.

Michael's eyes were fixed on her, and when he saw her almost chasing after Emilio, he clenched his teeth.

His large hand tightened around her, and he suppressed his inner anger, saying irritably, "He is already far away. Do you still want to chase after him?"

Isabella's eyes reddened with anger, and she glared at him fiercely. "Michael, are you doing this on purpose? Emilio was right. Our marriage has been in trouble for a long time, and we're about to get officially divorced. We can never go back to the way things were. Why won't you let me go?"

On one hand, she was angry at Michael for repeatedly appearing in front of her, and on the other hand, she hated herself for not being resolute.

Why did she sleep with him last night just because of one sentence? Now he was using it as a point of pride.

Every word Isabella said was like pouring cold water on Michael, turning the burning passion in his heart into ice.

From dealing with Bianca's family to voluntarily guarding Harper, and even her concerned look at his wound last night, all made him believe that she still had feelings for him, and he thought this marriage could be saved.

He had lowered his stance and thought through many things. He wanted to live a good life with her and not go through a divorce battle.

However, Isabella had slept with him last night, holding his waist and calling him intimately, was now out on a date with Emilio, enjoying the candlelight dinner that even he hadn't had.

And just because of Emilio's words, she could bring up divorce again. Didn't she think that he would be hurt too?

All in all, he no longer had any place in her heart. That was why she used divorce as a weapon to get rid of him.

But he wasn't willing to accept it. As long as he was around, Isabella could forget about getting close to any other man.

Michael's eyes turned red with anger, and he let go of her. "I just can't stand seeing another man by your side. Is that reason enough?"

His face was extremely dark, and he suppressed his inner rage. "Isabella, weren't we close enough or happy enough last night? Why did you still go to see Emilio behind my back? And now, just because I showed up here, you're angry and want to talk about divorce. Can't I even ask you a question?"

Isabella was momentarily speechless. Why did she hear a tone of grievance in Michael's voice? What did he have to be aggrieved about?

She and Emilio were just having a meal, but he came in with a barrage of questions and threats. She didn't even know it was a blind date.

But why couldn't she say anything in response to Michael's accusations?

The meal was her idea, the location was arranged by Atticus, and she was the only one kept in the dark.

If Michael hadn't shown up, she might not have known that her uncles had planned this to such an extent.

But what could she explain? That it was all her uncles' idea and had nothing to do with her? Or that she didn't come willingly?

She had lied to Michael on the phone, and Emilio and her uncles had lied to her.

She couldn't explain it, and Michael wouldn't believe it. All that was left between them was silence.

But Michael thought she still wanted to divorce him.

He could no longer control his anger and didn't want to argue with her anymore. He got up, leaving Isabella alone at the table.

The couple's meal in front of her, the fruit, and the ice cream no longer appealed to her.

Her mood had hit rock bottom because of Michael's departure.

All she wanted now was to find a lively place to escape this feeling, and the best way was to talk to someone. But she could only think of Olivia.

On the other end of the phone, Olivia's voice seemed busy. Isabella asked, "Olivia, are you free to come out?"

She thought Olivia would refuse, but to her surprise, she replied, "Of course, I'm free. Nothing is more important than you. I'm almost done here. What's up?"

Isabella bit her lip and took a deep breath. "Join me for a drink. I'll be at Starlit Tavern waiting for you."