Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 38

But Selena advised, “It’s always better to be careful.”

Isabel stood frozen at the door. The restaurant was warm, but a chill ran through her, as if she’d been plunged into an arctic river.

Her blood, her very soul, felt frozen.

But then, a burning rage erupted, chasing away the cold. Without a second thought, she stormed in and slapped Selena across the face.

So that was it. Selena had befriended her all those years ago just to help her “aunt” seduce her father.

She thought of her mother, suffering through the last agonizing days of her cancer.

She raised her hand to strike again.

But this time, her wrist was caught in a vice-like grip.

“Looks like there’s nothing wrong with that right hand of yours. It’s strong enough to slap people.”

The familiar scent of cold wood and a chilling presence filled the air as the voice reached her ears.

Her right hand was squeezed so tightly that a sharp pain shot through it.

“Let go!”

Adrian didn’t release her, but as he met her bloodshot eyes, his grip loosened slightly.

“You’ve made enough of a scene over that hand. There’s nothing wrong with it, yet you’re acting like it’s the end of the world.”

“Isabel, my patience is limited. If you keep this up, it won’t end well for you.”

“Now, apologize.”

Selena clutched her reddened cheek and leaned toward Adrian, feigning magnanimity. “Adrian, it’s alright. I know Isabel has been holding in a lot of anger. If hitting me makes her feel better and stops her from talking about divorce, then it’s worth it.”

Adrian’s gaze softened as it fell on the red mark on her left cheek. “Does it hurt?” he asked gently.

Selena fought back tears, her voice stubborn. “It doesn’t hurt. Please don’t blame Isabel.”

“Don’t you understand?” Isabel’s neck flushed with anger. “She’s playing you! She and Helen aren’t aunt and niece, they’re mother and daughter!”

“We’ve all been deceived! My mother, in the end...”

Before anyone could react, he raised his hand.

Isabel was stunned.

She could accept that Adrian didn’t love her.

She could even accept the ways he hurt her for Selena’s sake.

But the moment he actually moved to strike her, her heart felt like it had been torn to shreds. The pain was so intense she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even think to dodge.

But the slap never landed.

“Mr. Blackwell.” Dylan intercepted the descending hand, stepping in front of Isabel. “So that’s it. I was wondering where that little brat learned to hit Isabel. He learned it from you.”

Adrian felt no remorse. “I’m simply returning the favor. She struck first.”

Dylan didn’t hesitate to defend her. “If she hit someone, they must have deserved it.”

Adrian countered, “There is no excuse for violence.”