Can't Win Me Back (Isabella and Nathan)

Isabella turned pale with fright and quickly shielded Theodore behind her.

Nathan's raised fist hovered in the air but never came down. He simply stood there, stunned, staring at Isabella. Seeing her protect another man, her gaze so firm and resolute, something deep inside him began to crumble.

The once timid Isabella had only ever shown such courage for him.

Now, that bravery was no longer his alone.

He finally understood: he had lost the girl who had once loved him with all her heart. Taking advantage of Nathan's momentary daze, Isabella grabbed Theodore and ran. When they reached a deserted street, Isabella clutched her chest, exhaling in relief. Then, she lightly punched Theodore in the chest-a gesture more sound than fury.

Angrily, she scolded him, "He's the young master of the Imperial Capital, someone even your eldest brother has to tread carefully around. You've offended him-do you not want to survive in the Imperial Capital anymore?" Theodore put on a look of grievance. "He deserved it."

Thinking of Nathan's bruised, panda-like eyes, Isabella couldn't help feeling secretly delighted.

But her concern for Theodore's safety overpowered her amusement, and she repeatedly warned, "When you're back in the Imperial Capital, until your wings are strong, keep your head down."

Theodore's smile was bright and carefree. "Sis, I'll do as you say."

Hearing this, a weight lifted from Isabella's heart.

"Theo, while I'm busy studying, I might not be able to look out for you. You have to stay sharp and avoid getting schemed against."

Theodore's eyes, as luminous as stars, softened with his gentle smile.

"Sis, why are you nagging like an old lady? You're only 22."

Isabella froze.

That's right, she was only 22.

Yet she had already experienced so much hardship.

Despite her young age, the countless sorrows and separations she had endured had left her with a world-weary heart.

This wasn't how she should be living after her rebirth.

Forcing a radiant smile, she looked at him.

Theodore praised her, "Sis, you're the most beautiful when you smile. You should do it more often."

"I know, I know," she replied lightly.

Suddenly, as if performing a magic trick, Theodore produced a brocade box from behind his back.

"Here, Sis. A gift for you," he said, offering it to her.

Isabella covered her mouth in surprise. For her, his journey across the ocean to see her was already the most sincere gift.

She hadn't expected him to prepare something extra.

The thoughtfulness behind his gesture far exceeded anything her so-called husband or hypocritical family had ever shown her.

"Thank you, Theo," she said, her voice soft with emotion.

"Open it and take a look."

When she opened the box, a green diamond watch for women lay nestled inside.

"Sis," Theodore began, "since you're now a student of Ms. Jasmine, I assume you'll head to the U.S. soon for your intensive training. I won't be able to see you for a long time. Can you promise me one thing? On my 18th birthday, will you come back for my coming-of-age ceremony?"

"Of course. I'll definitely come back," she replied without hesitation.

Hearing her response, the tension in his expression eased, replaced by joy.

"Great," he said happily. "Sis, I've programmed the countdown to my coming-of-age ceremony into the watch. It'll remind you when it's time to return. It's settled then-I'll wait for you in the Imperial Capital."

Isabella smiled, watching him leave. "Take care, Theo."

She turned back and walked toward her rental apartment.

At the entrance, Nathan stood like a statue, his eyes fixed on the direction she came from.

The cigarette butts scattered at his feet hinted at his turmoil.

Isabella considered walking past him, but Nathan grabbed her arm.

"Isabella, we need to talk," he said.

She looked at him lazily.

"About what?"

Nathan stared at her indifferent expression, feeling an inexplicable stab of pain in his heart. So, love *could* fade.

"Bella, do you hate me for taking your kidney?"

Isabella's lips curved faintly, a weak smile devoid of warmth.

There were so many reasons for her to hate him that she didn't know where to begin.

Yet, regarding the kidney donation-if there hadn't been deception-she didn't truly hate him for it.

"You saved my life and paid for my education. Consider the kidney my repayment. We owe each other nothing now," she said, rising to leave.

But Nathan wasn't ready to let her go. "Bella, if you don't hate me, then come back home with me."

Isabella stared at him, her gaze blank. She didn't hate him for taking her kidney, but there were countless other reasons for her to resent him.

"I won't go with you," she replied.

In her indifferent eyes, Nathan couldn't see even a flicker of passion.

He felt a rare sense of helplessness. "But we're married..."

Isabella interjected, "A marriage without love why should we remain shackled, only to suffer?"

Her calm expression, paired with the word *suffer*, revealed the depth of her despair over their marriage and the extent of her disappointment in Nathan.

Frustration bubbled inside him. Nathan, always so proud and self-assured, had never imagined being dismissed by anyone-let alone a girl as unremarkable and low-born as Isabella. "Isabella, I'll give you some time to think it over. I hope you'll carefully reevaluate our relationship," he said, furrowing his brow.

"I don't want you regretting it later and clinging to me," he added coldly before striding away, his steps hurried.

He was aware of an unfamiliar unease within himself but couldn't pinpoint its source.

"Nathan," Isabella called from behind him.

He stopped.

Her voice, unfamiliar and distant, delivered a warning: "The rumors about me on the internal network-I expect you to handle them immediately. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to clear things up my way." Nathan turned to face her, a flicker of guilt in his eyes. "You've seen them?"

"I'm not a pushover," she replied firmly. "Nathan, if you push me too far, don't blame me for burning bridges. The things you and Victoria have done what you consider 'aboveboard' might not sit well with public opinion." With that, she turned and walked away.

Nathan stood frozen, her words echoing in his mind.

Back at his hotel, he collapsed onto the bed, visibly distressed.

Victoria approached, placing her hands on his shoulders to massage them. "Nathan, what's wrong? You look so preoccupied."

His face was dark, his tone heavy. "Victoria, it seems Isabella truly doesn't love me anymore."

Victoria froze momentarily before replying, "I thought it was strange too. That girl used to adore you. How could her attitude suddenly do a complete 180, as if she's a different person? Do you think... it has something to do with that hypnotist, Ezekiel? Could she really have erased Isabella's memories of everything between you two?"

A glimmer of realization crossed Nathan's eyes. "I dismissed him as a fraud before, but now I'm starting to think he might actually have some skill. I'll have to pay him a visit and make him undo the hypnosis."

Unease flashed in Victoria's eyes. "Nathan, didn't you always dislike how Isabella clung to you? Isn't her amnesia a good thing?"

Hesitation flickered across Nathan's face. "I may not like her, but she's still my wife. Her defiance of me reflects poorly on the Hill family." Relieved, Victoria concealed her anxiety.

That night, like a passing breeze, Isabella quietly packed her belongings, checked out of the hotel, and boarded a plane out of Milan. The next morning, when Nathan went to confront her, Isabella was long gone.