Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 95

Julian pulled a burning stick from the fire and used it to light a cigarette he held between his teeth.

He never would have guessed that Isabel's husband was Adrian.

After all, when he'd asked her back then, she wouldn't say.

Her mother had just passed away, and she looked visibly gaunt.

It didn't feel right to keep pressing her.

No wonder. Only a genius like Adrian could make a genius like Isabel willing to give up everything to marry him.

"If I had known, I would've tried to talk her out of it," Julian said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "I know all about him and Selena. Marrying him is basically signing up to have your heart broken."

"They have a child."

"..."

Julian almost stuck the lit end of the cigarette into his mouth.

It wasn't a huge secret that Adrian had a son. The public didn't know, but everyone in their circle did.

But there was no trace of the child's mother.

Adrian was the kind of person who seemed cold to the bone.

Given the Blackwell family's status, if he didn't want to talk about it, no one would dare to press the issue.

What if it was a bad situation? And everyone knew about his relationship with Selena. It was best not to invite trouble.

So Julian had no idea Isabel had married Adrian, let alone that Adrian's son was hers.

"Don't tell me Selena was the one who did that to her hand."

"More or less," old Mr. Reed said as he poured oil into the pan. As the meat sizzled, he added, "Adrian had a hand in it too."

Julian fiercely stubbed out his cigarette. "Damn it! They're bullying her because she has no one to back her up. Old man, if it were me, I wouldn't stand for it. I don't know what you're thinking, but we can't let her suffer like this."

Old Mr. Reed wasn't as agitated. Perhaps at his age, he had seen it all.

*

Isabel had been tactfully waiting in the cabin. When Julian called her for dinner, she hurried out to help.

She was afraid of interrupting them, but when she came out, the food was already on the table.

Julian served her a bowl of soup. "Eat up. You were so cute and chubby as a kid. Now you're as skinny as a ghost."

Isabel hadn't spent much time with Julian, not as much as she had with Dylan.

But because of the connection between old Mr. Reed and her grandmother, they had kept in touch occasionally.

His way of speaking seemed similar to Dylan's, but it had a more flirtatious, roguish edge.

It felt like he was flirting.

She could trade barbs with Dylan, but with Julian, a silent smile was the best response.

She was afraid that saying too much would create an ambiguous, intimate atmosphere.