Chapter 240

Isabella's eyes flickered for a moment. She replied, "A little boy got lost, and I took him to find his mom. I didn't expect it to take so long. When I went back to look for you, I realized you were already gone."

"Really, two hours?" Sebastian's voice was calm and it was hard to discern any emotion.

"Yeah, the hospital is huge, and it took a while to get around." Isabella turned to look at his face. "What did the doctor say? How are we going to treat it?"

Sebastian pressed his lips together, his voice heavy."Bella, if I remain blind for the rest of my life, would you leave me?"

Isabella's heart ached at his words. She tightened her grip on his arm instinctively and said, "How could it not be cured? You were just blinded  because of the explosion's flash. How could it not be cured?"

Sebastian was very calm. "But that's what the doctor said. The intense light damaged my cornea, and it's irreversible. It might never recover."

He held Isabella's hand. "Bella, I might be blind for the rest of my life."

"No way!" Isabella shook her head. She finally understood why Sebastian had been so agitated. He sat in front of the computer even though he couldn't see anything. Even she had a hard time accepting this fact, let alone Sebastian.

Isabella cupped Sebastian's face and leaned in to kiss him gently. "If Lakina cannot provide a cure, then we shall seek treatment elsewhere. If it can't be cured in the country, we'll go abroad. Today's technology is advanced. I saw on TV that even people born blind can regain their sight. You definitely can too!"

"What if we see all the top doctors and still can't fix it?" Sebastian was persistent about this topic. "Will you leave me?"

Isabella was stunned.

During the days of Sebastian's blindness, she had never thought about this question. She always believed that Sebastian's condition was not serious and that with active treatment, it would surely be cured.

She thought, 'But what if it really can't be cured? I can be Sebastian's eyes, but can Sebastian himself accept this reality?'

Isabella's silence lasted only a few seconds, but for Sebastian, it felt like a heavy blow.

He let go of her hand and smiled bitterly. "I understand."

Isabella looked at him, grieved.

"I can understand, actually." Sebastian's voice echoed faintly in the room.

Isabella felt that Sebastian hadn't finished speaking, but after waiting for a long time, he said nothing more.

"Sebastian." Isabella wanted to say something.

But Sebastian interrupted her, "I need to get busy. Can you not disturb me?"

Isabella looked at Sebastian and then at the lit computer screen.

Sebastian was clearly blind and would never see anything, no matter how long he stayed there. Since losing his sight, Sebastian had handed over nearly all company affairs to Jack and Zaire. Except for major issues, the smaller matters didn't require his direct involvement.

Claiming to be busy was just an excuse; Sebastian was trying to push her away.

His stern face seemed to be cloaked in a thin layer of frost, and Isabella could even detect a hint of impatience in his expression.

She felt a knot in her chest and nodded stiffly. "Okay."

Then Isabella went to the bathroom.

Closing the door, Isabella leaned against it and slid down to the floor.

She didn't know what Sebastian had gone through today, but she was certain he must be feeling wretched now.

Isabella really could understand him. So if Sebastian wanted to be alone, she would give him space. But she didn't know why she still felt so miserable.

Isabella hadn't told Sebastian about Matthew, not wanting to add to his troubles. Besides, they were now at odds with the Landon family, and with the issue of Anna's sculpture, if Sebastian knew she had helped Matthew, discord may arise between them.

Isabella was only waiting for Sweetie to come back in two days. Once that happened, everything would fall into place.

She could explain everything to Sebastian then, and she hoped he wouldn't hold a grudge.

She also believed that Sweetie's return would help Sebastian regain his strength. Treatment required the patient's active participation-just like how Matthew's heart had stopped in the emergency room, but he was eventually saved.

Anything was possible.

Isabella wiped away her tears, washed her face, and felt a bit better. When she came out of the bathroom, she found that Sebastian was no longer in the bedroom.

The sound of a car engine came from downstairs. Isabella walked to the window and saw a car leaving the yard.

She went downstairs, and Nina was setting the table. "Bella, did something happen? Sebastian didn't look good when he left."

Isabella suppressed her emotions and asked, "Did Jack pick him up?"

"Yes." Nina replied.

"Probably he needs to deal with something at the company." Isabella pulled out a chair and sat down, eating absentmindedly.

Nina sat beside her, looking serious. "Did you two have a fight?"

"No." Isabella's voice was muffled. "I went to the hospital with him today to get his eyes checked. The doctor said his eyes might not be curable."

" I had thought you two had a fight." Nina sighed in relief upon hearing the reason. Seeing Isabella so exhausted, Nina held Isabella's hand and comforted her, "Bella, you and Sebastian have been through so much to get here. At this point, you two must stick together. Whatever happens, you must talk it out. The most important thing between a couple is honesty."

Isabella's eyes flickered. "I understand."

"I'll put the food in the oven. If Sebastian comes back and you want to eat, just heat it up." Nina cleaned up the kitchen before leaving.

Isabella saw her out. It was completely dark outside, and the streetlights were on.

"Do you need me to drive you?" Isabella asked.

"No, Richard will pick me up." Nina replied.

As Nina finished speaking, Richard's car arrived. It stopped at the steps, and Richard got out, naturally putting his arm around Nina's waist. "Ready to go?"

Nina, feeling a bit uncomfortable, pulled away slightly. She turned to give Isabella a few reminders before getting in the car and leaving.

Isabella noticed that Nina was no longer as reserved in Richard's presence as she used to be. Nina seemed much more at ease compared to how she was around Charlie. It seemed Richard treated Nina well, and after everything Nina had been through, Richard was a decent choice.

Isabella stood at the door for a moment before closing it and going back inside.

The villa was empty, with only Isabella left. She sat on the sofa and picked up her phone to call Sebastian.

When the call connected, a woman's voice answered on the other end.