Can't Win Me Back (Isabella and Nathan)

Can't Win Me Back Chapter 09

The youthful face before her overlapped perfectly with the sharp, commanding visage of the man who stood at the apex of power, ruthless and fearsome.

The young boy lay sprawled on the bridge, bloodied, his piercingly beautiful yet rebellious eyes darting around as if searching for a lifeline-like an abandoned wolf pup desperate for survival.

Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes as she knelt down before him. "Do you want to come with me?" she asked softly.

Despite his tattered, dirty clothes, the boy exuded an air of elegance and nobility. Turning his head arrogantly, he asked, "What's your name?"

Isabella hesitated briefly. "Thea," she said, concealing her true identity.

The boy's gaze darkened slightly. "What characters are those?"

"Nian, as in 'to remember,' and 'Sheng,' as in 'prosperity," she explained gently.

The boy suddenly clutched her hand with surprising fervor. His voice carried a maturity beyond his years. "Those are good characters," he said approvingly.

"My name is Theodore," he added, introducing himself.

Isabella smiled faintly. "Well, isn't that a coincidence? Both of our names have the character 'Sheng."

"That must mean we're fated to meet," Theodore replied with a mischievous smile.

"In that case, why don't you consider me your elder Sis? What do you think?" Isabella's warm smile momentarily stunned Theodore.

"Elder Sis?" He scrutinized her skeptically. "You're so skinny and short-clearly younger than me."

"How old are you, then?" Isabella teased.

"I'm 23 this year," he said with a straight face.

Isabella chuckled at his obvious lie. "So, will you come home with me or not?"

Theodore nodded.

Isabella hoisted him onto her back. Though malnourished, he was tall and not exactly light. Her slender frame struggled under his weight, and she panted heavily after only a few steps.

"Let me down, Sis," Theodore suggested, but Isabella stubbornly shook her head. "No, I won't give up halfway," she replied firmly.

His expression froze momentarily. "Sis, since you saved me, I'll be good to you for the rest of my life," he vowed.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she knew better than to put stock in promises from someone destined to become a figure of untouchable prestige. "I helped you not for repayment. Just take care of yourself-that will be enough for me." It was an arduous journey, but Isabella eventually carried Theodore back to her modest rented room. After settling him on the bed, she hurried out to buy medical supplies, food, and other necessities. By the time she returned, the once sparse apartment had been transformed into a warm and inviting space.

Sitting by Theodore's side, she carefully tended to his wounds. When she removed his shirt, the horrific sight of his injuries. brought tears to her eyes.

"How could anyone hurt you like this? You're just a boy," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Far from despondent, Theodore smirked defiantly. "They wanted me dead-hit me with all they had. Too bad for them I survived. They'll regret not finishing me off when I rise to power."

Though his stunning features exuded a natural nobility, the shadow in his eyes radiated a chilling darkness that made her shudder. Isabella couldn't help but wonder if saving him was a blessing or a curse.

"Surviving such a calamity means you're destined for great fortune," she said softly.

He looked at her with a rare vulnerability. "Sis, I have no place to go. Can I stay here for now?"

Isabella's gentle smile didn't waver. "If you stay here, you'll have to listen to me. Go east when I tell you, never west. Head south even if you hit a wall. Can you do that?"

Theodore nodded earnestly. "Yes."

She handed him some iodine. "I've dressed your upper-body wounds. You'll need to handle the rest yourself."

His eyes softened like those of a pleading puppy. "Sis, I can't move. Please help me."

After a moment's hesitation, Isabella grabbed a nearby scarf and draped it over his face before delicately removing his pants.

The sight of the wound on his thigh made her gasp in horror.

"You were so close to losing everything," she murmured, her voice breaking. "How could they do this to you?"

For the first time, she began to understand why the future Theodore was so emotionally detached and solitary. A child who had never known love could hardly be expected to give it. "Sis, don't cry. It doesn't hurt," he said softly.

Sniffling, Isabella forced her tears back. "Until your wings are strong enough, don't provoke them anymore," she urged.

"I promise. I'll listen to you," he replied.

"When your wounds heal, I'll help you get into school. You'll attend a top university, the very best."

"Okay," he agreed.

After finishing her ministrations, Isabella didn't redress his lower half but simply pulled a blanket over him. Removing the scarf from his face, she said, "Rest now. I'll make you some porridge." "Thank you, Sis," he murmured.

As Isabella left, his gaze followed her slender figure, a shadow of complex emotions clouding his brilliant eyes.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

In the imperial capital, Nathan accompanied Victoria to the hospital for her routine check-up. While Victoria rested in the waiting area, he busied himself with registering her information, paying fees, and managing appointments-dutifully performing the role of a perfect boyfriend.

When he helped Victoria to the blood collection area, his considerate actions drew admiration from nearby women. One of them chided her own partner, "Look at that man-he treats his wife like a queen! And you? I'm carrying your child, and you can't even get off your phone to help me."

Her partner didn't look up from his phone as he retorted cynically, "How do you know that's his wife? What if she's his mistress? Men always act like saints around their mistresses. If you let me have a fling or two, I'd treat them just as well." Nathan's face turned an ugly shade of red.

The woman, now suspicious, began scrutinizing Nathan and Victoria. "Are you two married?" she asked.

Nathan's expression darkened further. Victoria quickly intervened, "You're mistaken. I'm seriously ill, and my brother-in-law is just helping me with my check-up."

The woman's parting remark, however, was a barb. "Your Sis must be *so* generous."

Victoria's face tightened.

After the blood test, the pair retreated awkwardly. Away from prying eyes, Victoria tried to soothe Nathan's wounded pride. "Nathan, don't take their words to heart. We have nothing to hide."