Chapter 440

Olivia nodded, catching on quickly to why Atticus had called her over. He was worried about Isabella and wanted to get the full story about what had happened with Michael.

Just a moment ago, Atticus had been so close to her, and now he was suddenly so calm, asking about something else. This abrupt change left Olivia feeling a bit disappointed. It wasn't about Isabella; it was about her own insecurities with Atticus. Whenever he reverted to his old self, she couldn't help but remember how he had rejected her before.

She realized she needed to change. He was right; they were in a relationship now, and being close was normal. She couldn't keep getting shy and wanting to run away. But Isabella's situation was still right in front of them. She couldn't just think about herself anymore.

"Olivia, can you tell me what you heard?" Atticus asked. "I want to know how far things have gone between them."

Normally, as Isabella's uncle, he shouldn't interfere in her personal affairs. But after what Michael had said, he had no choice but to find out. Michael had made such a big decision; he needed to know how much it would hurt Isabella. Only then could he plan what to do next.

Olivia hadn't heard much, but she recounted the harsh words Michael had said to Isabella. When she finished, she couldn't help but get angry. "Michael is such a jerk. Isabella practically told him she liked him, but instead of being a man and taking responsibility, he said those hurtful things and made her cry."

"If he hadn't insisted on saving Isabella, she wouldn't have lost control and confessed her feelings."

"Michael is a bad guy. He can forget about Isabella ever forgiving him!"

Atticus didn't comment after hearing this. He just pressed his lips together and narrowed his eyes. If it had been before, he would have sought justice for her. But now that he knew the real reason Michael had rejected Isabella, he hesitated. He didn't know what to do.

In that situation, Michael had chosen to get hurt himself to save Isabella, which showed his feelings for her were genuine. His biggest wish now was for Isabella to be safe. All Atticus could do was try to keep it a secret.

Meanwhile, Holden, who had sneaked upstairs to find some peace and quiet, didn't want to disturb Isabella. He planned to find a random room to sit in for a while. He would go back downstairs after Atticus and Olivia left.

But as he passed Isabella's room, he noticed the door was ajar. He stopped and peeked through the gap, seeing Isabella sitting by the piano, jotting down notes and testing the keys. Seeing this, Holden finally relaxed. If she could sit down and do what she loved, it meant Isabella was starting to move on, at least emotionally stable.

Holden left, feeling reassured. Isabella, lost in her own world, didn't notice anyone passing by. She was completely absorbed in her sudden burst of inspiration. After a while, Isabella suddenly stopped writing. Looking at the completed sheet music, she eagerly began to play it on the piano.

The melody started off cheerful, gradually becoming more somber, and finally exploding in the chorus. The pain of unrequited love, frustration, breakdown, and ultimate release were all captured in the music, reflecting her current emotions.

Love was letting go.

That was her interpretation of the piece. Even though she had loved, if the end result was a tragedy, the best way was to let go of herself and the other person. To make peace with the past.

Even so, she didn't regret the time she had spent married to Michael. At least she could prove she had once had him. Loving, having loved, and having had everything about him was enough for her.

As she finished playing, Isabella closed her eyes, feeling a sense of inner peace. Satisfied with this version, she took out a recorder and played it again.

Just as she finished, her phone lit up. She put away the recorder and picked up her phone, surprised to see it was Nolan calling.

Isabella was taken aback, then answered excitedly, "Nolan, why are you calling all of a sudden? Do you miss me?"

Nolan chuckled softly, his voice gentle, "Of course I miss you. But do you miss me? It's been so long since I called, and you never reached out to me."

Isabella laughed nervously, "I didn't want to bother you. Nolan, is there something you need?"

"Isabella, I have something important to tell you."

Nolan's tone was unusually serious.

Isabella asked curiously, "What is it?"

She had been staying home to recover and had no idea what was going on with Nolan lately.

Nolan didn't want to discuss it over the phone. "Isabella, this is very important to me, so I want to tell you in person. Can you meet me?"

As he said this, Nolan was nervous and uneasy. He feared that he no longer had a place in Isabella's heart, that she had moved on with that man named Emilio.

Isabella didn't think too much about it. She had already done what she promised Olivia. Going out to meet someone wouldn't be a bad idea, especially since it was Nolan inviting her.

Just as Isabella was about to agree, she looked down at the bandages on her arm and hesitated.

"Nolan, can we do it another day? I'm not in a good condition to go out today."

Nolan pretended not to know, "Is something wrong?"

Isabella didn't plan to hide it from him but didn't mention Michael. "I accidentally got hurt. I just got back from the hospital and still have bandages on."

"Injured?"

Before Isabella could finish, Nolan got worried, "What happened? Are you seriously hurt?"

Nolan sounded genuinely concerned, with no hint of pretense.

"Just a minor injury, nothing serious. Don't worry, Nolan. I'll be fine in a couple of days."

Isabella didn't want Nolan to worry, so she told the truth.

"Really?"

Nolan was skeptical, still worried, "I don't feel comfortable. Isabella, you're at the Wilson Family's house, right? Can I come to see you?"

Afraid she might refuse, he added, "I just want to see you with my own eyes. I won't stay long."

He had always met Isabella at her Whispering Pines Estates villa, but that wasn't the Wilson Family's home. If he could get into the Wilson Family's house this time, meet the family, and gain their approval, it might help him win Isabella over.