Husband With Benefits
Chapter 399: Overstepping

Chapter 399: Overstepping

Ian strolled towards the front door, his gaze sweeping over the meticulously maintained front yard. The house before him held a special significance – it was the very place Isabella had spent her formative years. As he stood there, staring at the closed door, he could not help but give an irritated sigh.

He hated going anywhere uninvited. He should have met her family, formally proposed marriage and held a get together. Instead he had to come here to straighten up her brother and father as if he was a mafia.

Despite the nagging discomfort, Ian recognized the importance of the situation. He needed to make this aspect either change or disappear. And while Isabella might not be happy when she learnt of his actions later, he knew that she would hate herself even more if she had to be the one to take the decision of severing ties with people who were toxic to her. Specially with those whom she held good memories.

With a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and pressed the doorbell. The woman who opened the door resembled an older version of Isabella and even though Ian had seen her previously, he was still amazed. With a careful smile, he introduced himself," Mrs Ruffalo. I’m Ian Frost."

"I know who you are. You’re Isabella’s boss. I recognise you from last time. What brings you here, Mr. Frost?"

Ian’s eyes met hers, his expression serious. "Thank you for having me, Mrs. Ruffalo. I’ve come because there are matters that need addressing."

She motioned for him to enter, and as Ian stepped into the house and questioned him," How is Isabella doing? Is she alright? She didn’t have to be hospitalized again, right?"

"I’m sure you the answer to that already Mrs Ruffalo." Ian answered as he placed the few gift bags he had brought over.

Mrs Ruffalo stared at the package as if it contained a bomb and cleared her throat," You didn’t have to bring anything over, Mr Frost. You’re my daughter’s boss."

"It’s a symbol of goodwill," Ian replied, the edge in his voice hinting at the seriousness of the impending conversation.

Mrs Ruffalo followed him into the living room where Ian sat on the couch without being invited. She stared at him in confusion,wondering if she should offer him any refreshments but the man shook his head," Mrs Ruffalo. Please have a seat. I’d like to talk directly without beating around the bush."

Mrs Ruffalo nodded cautiously, waiting for the man to continue, which he did, directly," "I’ve decided to pursue a more serious commitment with Isabella, and for that, I’d like to get a few things out of the way."

"You and Isabella are dating? But she said that you were only her boss and well wisher," The woman asked in confusion.

Ian smiled, "Mrs Ruffalo, I am Isabella’s boss and well wisher. But I also hope to be her partner in the future."

"You have my blessings," Mrs Ruffalo muttered out quickly. However, this time, Ian’s smile did not reach his eyes, as he thanked the older woman.

Mrs Ruffalo looked away, understanding without the young man saying anything. Ian Frost was here not to seek their approval for marriage to Isabella but to probably warn them off to stay away. She looked down and clasped her fingers before asking softly," Mr Frost, has Isabella ever told you about her brother? Or our family?"

"Not much." Ian answered truthfully.

Mrs Ruffalo sighed and explained," I know you do not have a good impression of me or her father and brother but things were not always like this."

"I know. And that is why, I’ve chosen to come here and understand things before I take action, Mrs Ruffalo."

"Take action?"

Ian sighed," Mrs Ruffalo. I do not like to talk in circles. Since I wish to spend my future with Isabella, her happiness is my main concern. And right now, from what I can see, the only people who are making her unhappy are her family. So, either I step in and protect her or I give the family a chance to make reparations and save whatever is left of the love/ relationship. I’ve alread seen that you still care for Isabella, even though you’ve distance yourself from her. And from what I understand, she’s always known love from your family until a few years ago. So, could you shed light on that?"

Eliza Ruffalo stared at Ian with a complicated gaze as she finally sighed," Mr Frost. I know of your reputation. You’ve been known to change partners like people change socks. Are you sure, you can keep my bella happy? Because she deserves it more than anyone else. The thing is..."

She took a deep breath and continued," The truth is that Emerald is not my son. He is my stepson. He is Isabella’s father’s son from his first marriage. When I first married Gio, Emerald was a little baby, with Gio handling him alone. However, he was little and had no impression of his mother, so I took on that role naturally, nurturing the boy like my own. And then Isabella was born. Emerald doted on her and we thought that everything was well."

"But something changed around the time Emeral was eighteen. His biological mother returned and he started to live with her. In time, he somehow started to believe that his father had cheated him out of a mother, making me take his real mother’s place. To reassure him that we loved him more than anyone else, somehow we started to dote on him more and more."

" Over time, Isabella seemed to demand our attention and we had to divide it between the two children, causing my little Isi to become more and more rebellious to get her parent’s attention. This caused her father to start to distant himself form her until one day, things fell apart. One day, Emerald came home with a friend who begged Gio to let him marry Isabella because she was pregnant with his child. Bella was sixteen at the time..."

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦