Chapter 486

Michael couldn't bring himself to tell Isabella the harsh truth; she needed comfort right now.

He didn't ask her how she knew about Grandpa's accident or how she got here so fast.

Isabella's reaction had already told him everything.

No matter how distant they had become, Isabella still saw Aiden as her grandfather. Their relationship wouldn't change just because of the divorce.

Seeing her tear-streaked face, Michael felt a pang of sorrow and wanted to wipe her tears away.

But halfway through, he stopped himself and pulled his hand back.

He pressed his lips together and softly asked, "Isabella, Grandpa wants to see you. Will you come with me to talk to him?"

Michael might not have realized it, but his voice carried a hint of pleading.

Just moments ago, when he found out Isabella had returned the gemstone pendant he had given her, his heart turned cold.

He understood that his past actions had disappointed Isabella to the point where she chose to let go.

She had discarded everything that belonged to him and severed all ties.

So now, facing her, he didn't dare to show any of his former dominance or arrogance.

He wouldn't force her to do anything she didn't want to do.

He feared that if he remained the same, Isabella would never forgive him.

Isabella was only worried about Aiden's health and didn't notice the cautious look in Michael's eyes.

She wiped her tears and kept a distance from Michael, nodding.

"Okay, where's Grandpa? I want to see him."

Aiden had always treated her like his own granddaughter. How could she refuse his wish?

Isabella followed Michael to Aiden's hospital room, where her former mother-in-law, Stella, was by his side.

Seeing Isabella arrive so quickly, Stella joyfully called out to Aiden.

"Dad, wake up! Isabella is here. Isabella came to see you."

Hearing Isabella's name, Aiden seemed to regain some energy. He took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and looked towards the door.

He saw Isabella and Michael standing together, as if they had never been apart.

Aiden slowly extended his hand and weakly waved, "Isabella."

Isabella's eyes welled up with tears, and she hurried over to hold Aiden's hand, her voice choked with emotion.

"Grandpa, it's Isabella. What happened to you?"

Seeing Aiden, who seemed to have aged significantly since she last saw him, Isabella felt a heavy weight on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Aiden gripped Isabella's hand, a faint smile appearing on his pale face.

He then pointed to his jacket pocket, indicating to Stella, "The pendant... bring it here..."

Though it was just a few simple words, Aiden seemed to use all his strength. Fortunately, Stella understood and quickly fetched Aiden's coat.

She found a dark red velvet box inside.

It contained the gemstone pendant Isabella had returned.

Just one look at the box, and Isabella knew what was inside and understood why Aiden had called her.

Aiden signaled Stella to open the box, and he personally handed the pendant to Isabella.

"Grandpa."

Isabella's eyes were red, but she knew what the pendant represented. Her hands instinctively pulled back.

But Aiden shook his head and explained each word clearly.

"Isabella, this was left by your grandmother. It was meant to be a gift for my granddaughter-in-law. If you don't accept it, are you blaming me?"

Isabella quickly denied, "No, Grandpa, I don't mean to blame you. But Michael and I are no longer..."

Such a meaningful gift, how could she accept it?

At that moment, Stella stepped forward and placed the pendant in Isabella's hand, speaking earnestly.

"Isabella, this is your grandfather's wish. For his sake, just accept it as a gift."

Stella then glanced at Michael, who stood silently by, and sighed.

"As for you and Michael... your grandfather and I can see what's happening. Michael was blind before-he couldn't see how special you are. Now, it's obvious he's fallen for you. And honestly, you're right not to forgive him too quickly. He hurt you badly, and that's not something a few words can fix."

Stella couldn't help but wipe her tears as she spoke.

She recounted the times she had hurt Isabella, her words filled with guilt and regret.

Isabella remained silent.

Whether it was Michael's belated affection or Stella's late remorse, she felt nothing.

To her, the past was something she had left behind the day she walked out of the Brown Villa.

As for Michael's feelings for her, Isabella wasn't completely unmoved. After all, she had secretly loved him for years. Knowing he liked her too made her happy.

But she was no longer the same Isabella.

She couldn't ignore her own feelings to accommodate him just because of a few words or small changes.

He could have explained everything to her face-to-face, cleared up the misunderstandings.

But he chose to keep it all to himself, even when she caught him in an intimate moment with Bianca. He never thought to explain.

She couldn't accept that.

Whether as a girlfriend or a wife, she had just one non-negotiable: complete honesty. If he couldn't be straightforward with her, she wouldn't even consider him.

Even now, she hadn't felt any respect or importance from him as a wife, nor had she received his understanding and love.

So, she could face him rationally and help him out of their past relationship.

But when it came to feelings, she couldn't accept it now.

After waiting for him for three years, without a single moment of softness from him, she had completely given up.

She didn't dare to hope that Michael's feelings for her would last.

If it was just a fleeting interest, she would be the one hurt in the end.

Knowing what kind of person he was, she didn't want to go through that again.

With that in mind, Isabella looked up at Stella, her tone calm and composed.

"Mrs. Brown, with all due respect, no one understands what's between Michael and me better than we do. I appreciate your concern, but I've made up my mind. And about this pendant, I really..."

Before she could finish, Stella quickly interrupted.