Chapter 2

Mason's assistant stepped forward. "Mrs. Gonzalez, Mr. Gonzalez had to make a tough call. Anthony's condition was more urgent. The doctors said if we waited any longer, it would've been too late."

Isabella turned to the assistant. "And what about Michael? Could he have been saved?"

The assistant lowered his head, unable to meet her eyes.

Mason called over the bodyguards. "She's emotionally unstable. Take her back to her room."

Isabella struggled, her voice hoarse from shouting. "Mason, let me go. I need to talk to the doctor. I want to see the bone marrow match report."

Mason didn't move.

He said, "Don't let her interfere with the operation."

The bodyguards grabbed her by the arms and dragged her out.

The last thing Isabella saw was Nora clinging to Mason, sobbing so hard her whole body trembled.

Mason didn't push her away.

The light in Michael's room was still on.

The white light was so bright it hurt to look at.

When Isabella woke up, Riley, Mason's mother, was sitting by her bedside.

Riley wore a somber dress, idly turning a string of sandalwood prayer beads in her hand. When she saw Isabella wake, she didn't offer any comfort. She just set a glass of water on the nightstand.

"The child has already been taken to be prepared," Riley said. "If you want to see him one last time, you can go in half an hour."

Isabella sat up shakily, her voice quivering. "Riley, did you know all along?"

Riley's fingers stilled on the prayer beads.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"That they found a matching bone marrow. That Mason gave it to Nora's son," Isabella said.

Riley was silent for a long time before finally saying, "By the time I found out, it was already decided."

Isabella looked at her. "You didn't try to stop it?"

"Mason said Anthony wouldn't survive the night," Riley replied.

"Michael didn't survive the night either," Isabella said.

The room fell silent.

Outside the door, someone was gossiping in a hushed voice, "Mr. Gonzalez has always been devoted to Miss Parker. He's stood by her and her son for so many years."

Isabella caught every word.

Riley set the prayer beads down on the table. "Isabella, the Gonzalez family owes you. Whatever you want as compensation, I'll make sure you get it."

"I want a divorce," Isabella said.

Riley looked up at her.

Isabella tossed aside the covers and tried to get out of bed, but her legs gave out beneath her. She had to grab the bed frame to keep herself upright.

Isabella said, "Grandma, when my parents died so suddenly, you took me in and brought me into the Gonzalez family. You promised Mason would protect me for life, and I believed you.

"I don't need his protection anymore. Please, just let me go."

Riley looked at her for a long time.

"Mason won't agree," she said.

"Whether he agrees or not, I'm leaving," Isabella replied.

"You don't have the Roberts family anymore," Riley said. "If you leave the Gonzalez family, where will you go?"

Isabella stared at the needle marks on the back of her hand. "Anywhere. As long as it's not here."

Riley twisted the prayer beads in her hand, her voice low and unyielding, like the sound of a heavy door closing.

"You have one month. After Michael's funeral, the Gonzalez family will give you a payout. Then you leave Robinburg for good," she said.

Isabella looked up. "I want Michael's ashes. That's all I ask."

"You can have them," Riley said.

"I want all his medical records and reports," Isabella said.

Riley's hand paused. "What do you want those for?"

"I want to keep them," Isabella said. "I'm afraid one day I'll forget how he died."

Riley closed her eyes.

"Alright," she said.

The door was flung open.

Mason stood in the doorway, his tie hanging loose, and he couldn't hide the excitement on his face.

Mason said, "Isabella, Anthony's awake."

Isabella looked at him like he was a total stranger.

Mason walked in and reached out to help her up. "The doctor said the surgery went really well. The first thing Anthony asked when he woke up was about Michael. He's really fond of you. Let's go see him together."

Isabella shook off his hand.

"Congrats, Mr. Gonzalez. You saved Nora's kid. Hope you're happy now," Isabella said.

Mason frowned. "Do you have to talk like that?"

"What do you expect me to say?" Isabella shot back, standing up. "Should I thank you for selling out my son to do someone a favor?"

"It wasn't just a favor," Mason said, his voice low. "Anthony is a kid I've watched grow up."

"And you didn't watch Michael grow up?" Isabella snapped with anger.

Riley rapped her knuckles on the table. "Mason, get out."

Mason didn't even glance at Riley. He stared at Isabella. "I'm upset about Michael, too, but Anthony survived. That's a good thing."

Isabella nodded.

"It's a good thing. Go celebrate," she said.

Mason was getting irritated by how calm she was. "Isabella, don't trap yourself in all this hatred. Michael's gone, and life has to go on for those of us still here."

Isabella picked up the prayer beads he got for Michael from the nightstand and pressed them into his hand.

"Give them to Anthony," she said.