Isabella's POV

She throws a cold glare my way before her hands push me backward.

It is Mrs. Russell. Jayden's mother.

"What have you done to him?" Her loud voice echoes around the private corridor of the hospital building.

I had done the only thing I could do. Calls.

I called the numbers of every name that came to my head.

I called his Father and Mother, I called my Grandma and I called Gabriel too.

I have cried so much and it feels as if the rivers of tears in my eyes have dried up. I should have known that he was ill. I should have suggested to him that he visit the doctor.

I blame myself for this. I blame myself for what happened. Maybe if I hadn't asked him that question or if I hadn't poured water all over him maybe he wouldn't be so mad at himself to have even thought of inflicting pain on himself.

What exactly happened in the bathroom is something I have no idea about and only Jayden can explain what happened.

I was already on my bed sulking for being clumsy when I heard him screaming. I couldn't ignore it and I had to move to the bathroom.

Without thinking of the fact that he might be naked, I tried to open the door when I heard him smashing something but I couldn't. The door was locked from inside and I was praying hard for him not to hurt himself.

Nothing must happen to Jayden. Nothing should happen to him. I promise never to overstep my boundary. I promise to mind my business henceforth and do the job I was employed for.

I just want him to survive this.

"What did you do to my son?" She pushes me again, making me stumble but before I can fall, someone grabs me from behind.

It is Jayden's father.

He had gone to the doctor's office to check if the doctor was there, even after I told him the doctor hadn't come out from Jayden's room yet.

We don't know what is happening. We don't know if he is in a critical situation and if he is going to survive this.

No one is coming out to tell us what is going on.

"What is happening here?" He snaps at his wife. He knows she must be responsible for my falling. They all know how much she detests me.

"Ask her", she shouts, pointing accusing fingers at me. "Ask her what she did to my son."

Before I can say anything to Jayden's father in defense, she begins to cry. He sighs and lets go of me before helping her to a seat.

Quilt tugs at my heart.

I feel responsible for Jayden's situation. I am not a good wife after all. For not being observant enough to know that Jayden is not only distant but also ill.

I should take the blame.

After consoling his wife for a few minutes, he rises and takes my hand. We move away from where she is sitting and still glaring at me.

When we are a few distances away from her, he stops walking and we face each other. But I can't look him straight in the eyes.

The guilt won't let me.

"What happened?" He asks, waiting for me to tell him what happened. "Did you two fight?"

"No", I say sharply, thinking of what else to tell him.

How can I tell him that he got mad at me for asking him about Helena and then he was pissed this evening because I mistakenly poured water all over him when he demanded water and then he became furious, locked the door to the bathroom, and injured himself.

How can I tell him the whole story?

"Then what happened?" The older version of the man who lost consciousness an hour ago shifts uncomfortably before me with creases of worry etched on his forehead.

I actually thought the water in my eyes had all dried up. But surprisingly, they begin to fall again as I fidget with my hands in regret, standing awkwardly in front of him.

I shouldn't have accepted this offer. I should have just taken the money his Mother was willing to give me and walk away from their lives.

Being here isn't solving any of their problems. Being here isn't putting a stop to his heartaches. Being here isn't changing anything.

Instead, his Mother is hating on me while he is always mad at me for being inquisitive about his past.

Why am I here? Why did I even accept his offer in the first place?

I am living a good life now and my Grandma has a home of hers but I am not happy. Not when my husband is laying lifelessly on the hospital bed and we don't even know if he will make it.

Mr. Russell embraces me, as a sigh leaves his mouth.

I wish I could ask for their forgiveness and leave. I wish I could tell them all the truth and go back to the way I was living.

It was just my Grandma and I but we were living a good and happy life. Money was just the problem but things would be better if I can get another job now that Juliet is out of our lives. I will make do with whatever little I get paid and make sure we live fine.

I just don't want this anymore. I don't want to cause pain and anger and heartache to anyone in this family anymore. I can't be in a place where I can't be loved. No one loves me. No one cares about me.

The sound of feet running makes me open my eyes in a hurry and disengage from the hug, thinking it is the doctor but a look of disappointment spreads across my expression when I see Gabriel and his wife running towards us.

Gabriel is in his pajamas while his wife is in a big long gown. She must have put it on in a hurry to get here.

"Dad, what happened?" He questions Mr. Russell immediately while Sabrina comes to hug me.

To be honest, I don't like Sabrina but the moment she puts her hand around me in an embrace, I break down completely while she consoles me with soothing words whispered in my ears.

I didn't like her for what she did the other day during dinner but now she looks serious and mature, not the playful woman she was like the other day.

Gabriel on the other hand is serious looking too. The moment Sabrina releases me from the hug after wiping all my tears, Gabriel comes in front of me with arms akimbo and with a deep frown on his face.

He attacks me instantly. "What happened?"

I can't escape it now. I can't escape telling them. I just need to say something.

"She wants to kill him", someone says from behind and we see Mrs. Russel rushing towards me again. Her husband is quick to catch her and stop her from making a scene, even though this is a private section of the hospital and this hospital belongs to Mr. Russell.

"She is nothing but a gold digger. She wants to kill me so she can go away with all his properties and money. She is irresponsible!" She spits out.

"Get a grip on yourself and keep shut!" Mr. Russell snaps at her and she begins to cry again. She walks back to where he left her earlier and he comes back to us, apologizing for her behavior.

"We are all ears, Isabella", he says in impatience. "What happened?"

Even if I don't want to say a word, the way he asked the question with the tone of trust that I can never do what his wife is accusing me of is enough reason to tell him the truth.

"He has been cold towards me for days now and I don't know what happened. He barely answers my greetings", I begin and he nods, urging me to go on.

Sabrina and Gabriel are also listening with rapt attention.

"He didn't come back from work early today and I couldn't sleep. I had to wait for him, even though I know he will ignore me as always. When he arrived, he asked me to get his dinner from downstairs and I did. Then he requested water and I got some for him."

I close my eyes at this moment. This is where my stupidity came in.

"Mistakenly I spilled the water on him and he became mad. I apologized and he dashed into the bathroom, leaving his meal which was also drenched in water. I thought he was going to take a shower but after a while, all I began to hear were screams and smashing. I tried to get into the bathroom, shouting at him to stop and begging him to forgive me because I was thinking he was still mad at me. The noise died down and when he came out, he was bleeding. They were pieces of glass in his hand and then I noticed there was also blood on his forehead. I guessed he didn't know about the blood on his forehead because he tried to hide the injured hand from me. I began to cry and quickly rushed out to get the first aid box. Before I could come back, he was already on the bed with his eyes closed."

Another sob escapes my mouth and I clamp my hand over my mouth to stop it.

I need to get a grip on myself too.

"Oh, Goodness!" Sabrina laments, throwing her arms around my shoulder again.

Gabriel and Mr. Russell exchange a quick familiar glance without a word.

We stand in silence until Mr. Russell asks. "Do you know why he was distant?"

This is it. I don't want to tell them why. If it was only Gabriel and Sabrina, I wouldn't mind.

If I tell him the truth, won't he suspect that this marriage is fake just as his wife suspected?

I thought you said you were done with this marriage? My subconscious asks.

I nod and summon up the courage to answer. "Yes, I do."

They exchange glances again and wait in anticipation. When I am not saying anything again, Gabriel asks. "Why?"

"Because I asked him who Helena is."

Sabrina gasps and reality dawns on me that they all know who she is except me. They avoid my gaze and look down.

Wait, is this about Helena? Did Jayden act that way because of Helena?

I am about to ask them who she is and what she represents in his life when I hear Mrs. Russell's voice again. She is calling the doctor who comes out of the room we have been parading for over an hour.

We all rush there.

"Doctor, how is he?" She grabs his white coat.

"Well, he is fine and awake now", he announces with a light smile on his face.

Relief washes through me and I almost knee down in gratitude to the Almighty for answering my prayers.

Gabriel, Sabrina, and Mr. Russell all sigh in relief. Jayden didn't scare only me. The others too were scared. I am sure it is midnight already now.

"Can we see him?" Mr. Russel demands from the doctor, dipping his hands inside his pocket, which makes me crave Jayden's presence.

He shares some certain habitual characteristics with his father.

"Yes, but I will advise the Russel's only to see him. Mr. and Mrs. Russell as well as his wife. The others can wait behind."

"They are also family", Mr. Russell defends. "We won't stay too long. We just want to be sure he is fine."

The doctor clicks his tongue and nods, permitting us to go inside as he points to the door.

I rush towards the door, in a haste to see Jayden's face and be sure that he is indeed fine and out of danger now. I want to tell him how sorry I am and how bad of a wife I am but before I can get to the door, a hand pulls me back, stopping me from entering.

I discover it is Mrs. Russell because the next thing she does is hurry past me into the room and slam the door shut right in front of my face.

****

Why is this woman being difficult? What do you think Isabella can do to prove her innocence?

Air your opinions and don't forget to vote.

Thank you for the support. God bless you all💓