Husband With Benefits
Chapter 417: A Plan

Chapter 417: A Plan

Isabella bit her lip, her gaze locking onto Ian’s with hesitant eyes before she took a deep breath. "Ian, I do love you. But we cannot be together. I need time. I have to go away."

Ian sighed, a mix of understanding and concern etched on his face, as he held her close. "Isabella, are you going to say that you need to break up with me again? We haven’t even gotten together again yet."

Isabella sighed, her eyes momentarily dropping before meeting his gaze once more. "Maybe we can take a break... Knowing you love me gives me the strength to face everything."

Ian chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "My little doll, do you really think I wouldn’t know what is going on with you when I say I love you? Who was the one who accused me of not knowing my boundaries? Of always pushing limits? I thought you knew me well..."

Isabella stilled, her eyes widening in surprise. "What did you do?"

Ian feigned innocence; his expression comically exaggerated. "Me? I’m an angel, Isabella. Always have been. But seriously, love, no tricks. Just an uncanny ability to read between the lines. Now spill, what’s going on?"

Isabella looked into his eyes carefully. In that moment, she knew that he was aware of everything that had transpired. And yet, he wanted her to confide in him. And so, she did... letting everything out between sobs as she reiterated the entire conversation, almost word for word, of what had transpired between her and Emerald.

"I knew he did not like me. I always understood that. It is why Inever said anything when he spoke all those things against me. I hoped that someday his hatred would run out and he would see the error of his ways. Even when I accepted the offer from Country N, I had hoped things would have changed when I returned. But this time, it felt different. More than anger at the past."

"It felt like a real threat, Ian. and I couldn’t help but think about Nora and her own hopes about her mother? Wasn’t I making the same mistake? Hoping that enduring everything will make him see the truth. I’d been considering things but I never thought he really would harm my mama."

When he told me he had orchestrated the accident and that he would hurt mama, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her or dad or you. I was worried that he would go further on his threats and harm any of you. I would never have forgiven myself then.. So I said what he wanted to hear. I agreed to going back to Country N and never return. I agreed to break up with you."

Ian held Isabella a little tighter, his gaze searching hers, "There’s something I need to understand. Why didn’t you tell me directly about all of this? Did you think I wouldn’t be able to handle it or that I wouldn’t support you? Do you not trust me?"

Isabella took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a blend of vulnerability and regret. "I... I was ashamed. My life has been a mess for so long that I seem to have forgotten what it is like to have a normal life. You’ve already seen what it’s like. You’ve seen me at the worst. But that was before I fell for you. It’s foolish to differentiate, but when I did not love you, it was easy to convince myself that any ill opinion you had of me made no difference to me. But now, it’s different."

She paused, searching for the right words. "I love you, Ian. And I was afraid that if you knew the extent of the chaos in my life, it might change how you see me. I didn’t want you to look at me with pity or disdain. I wanted you to see the person you fell in love with, not the mess that I’ve been trying to escape from."

"So, when I dragged you into all that mess with Nora, or Gabe, did you love me any less?"

Isabella was horrified. "How can you say that? That was Nora... and of course I did what I had to..."

"Then why hide things from her and from me? When you can do something for someone and not love them any less then..."

Isabella gave a sheepish smile at that. She’d never thought it like that. Ian saw the realization in her eyes and smiled, "Doll, my love for you is not bound by the circumstances we find ourselves in. I fell in love with the strong, resilient, and caring person that you are. The chaos around us doesn’t change that."

Isabella bit her lip, her eyes reflecting her insecurity. "I didn’t mean to deceive you, Ian. I just... I was scared that..."

"You were scared that I would stop loving you like your father did? Fall out of love with you?"

"I... yes. Growing up, I idolized him, Ian. I always believed that any love in this world coudl vanish but my parents’ would never stop loving me. Even when they misunderstood me, my rebellion, I always believed that beneath the misunderstandings the love was still there."

"Isabella, your father may be angry, confused, or disappointed right now, but one thing is certain – the love a parent has for their child is an unbreakable bond. No matter the misunderstandings, he loves you. It might take time for him to see things clearly, but love has a way of softening even the hardest hearts."

Of course Ian failed to tell her that he had already seen to it that Gio Ruffalo would be able to see the real colours of his dear son. And even if after this, the man failed to see the truth, then he would persomally make things better. But knowing Eliza Ruffalo, she’d take care of her husband for them. Very soon, this little thorn in Isabella’s heart would be taken care of.

Isabella nodded against his chest but then continued," Nothing matters as of now other than my parents’ and your security. But now that I know what Emerald can do, I will not just disappear from their lives just because he said so. I will find a way to expose him..."

With that single vow to herself and Ian, she looked at Ian to promise him but, as her eyes met his, she noticed a hint of guilt lingering in his features. Her brows furrowed in suspicion, and she tilted her head, studying him more intently. "There’s something you’re not telling me. What did you do?"

Ian’s eyes darted away, a guilty expression flickering across his face. He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding direct eye contact. Isabella’s concern deepened, and she gently placed a hand on his cheek, coaxing him to look at her. " Ian Frost, you better come clean. What did you do? Did you harm Emerald? Is he now buried somewhere six feet under the earth? Please don’t tell me you did something stup*d."

Ian pouted and poked her cheek," Ha! You think I’m so stupid so as to bury him sex feet under only? I overestimated your intelligence, probably because I love you. Now, as a punishment, I won’t tell you anything. But I cannot punish you for long since I love you so maybe some day, if you coax me well and tell me that you love me..."

Isabella cast him a stern look, he was avoiding telling her thr truth... And she could feel herself getting worried by the secong. She knew Ian... And he could be dangerous...if he felt the need to protect those he loved. She felt a momentary thrill at the thought that he loved her and considered her under his protection, but she was still worried.

"Ian Frost, tell me right now." Isabella threatened with a look.

Ian rolled his eyes and shook his head," Nope. Not until you promise me that you won’t hold it against me."

Isabella bit her lip," I cannot promise you that."

"Fine fine. I might have come on too strong but I swear I did nothing to harm him... at least physically."

"Stop going around in circles Ian Frost and come clean."

"Alright. First things first, jsut so oyu are reassured, Emerald did not do anything to harm yuor mother. It really was an accident which he decided to use to his advantage."

Even as Isabella felt relief coursing through her that Emerald had not gone to this extent, she dare not show it to Ian, and continue to stare at him, making him sigh." Alright. I went to see your mother... And I might have used a bit of shock and awe tactics and taken a few.. okay a dozen men with me there. And they might or might not have kind of manhandled him into telling the truth when I showed him the surveillance video where he was threatening you and confessing all his misdeeds."

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