Chapter 213

A ripple of secret satisfaction stirred in Isaac's chest.

Sure enough-wearing the mask of misery before Verena only pulled her closer, as though pity itself were a rope he could tug at will.

Maybe Simon wasn't entirely useless after all.

The man had even claimed he wanted to move into lsaac's house to build trust and make communication easier.

Isaac scoffed. A man knows another man.

To him, the truth was as plain as day-Simon's intention wasn't about the therapy; he was after Verena.

While Isaac's thoughts churned like restless waves, a shadow flickered by the window's edge.

From the frame alone, he knew exactly who it was. And in that instant, certainty slammed into him.

His gaze turned razor-sharp; with a sudden narrowing of his eyes, he seized Verena and pulled her straight into his lap.

She gasped, startled-only then realizing she had already been swept into his arms.

She blinked, confusion clouding her. "What do you want?"

Isaac tilted her chin with two fingers, forcing her gaze to lock with his.

Heat blazed in his eyes, his voice low and magnetic."Kiss me."

The command carried steel, but beneath it lingered the spoiled edge of pleading.

Verena's self-control teetered. She tapped his shoulder. "We're in a hospital." "No one's watching." Isaac's glance slid deliberately toward the window, his lips curving into a sly smile."And you're my wife. So what's one kiss? Come on, what's the harm? Are you kissing me or not?"

His last words rolled out low and velvety, brushing against her ear like a whisper that both teased and tempted, leaving her nerves tingling.

Verena's eyes swept over him, her pulse stumbling faster.

Barely a fist of space lay between their chests, each breath snaring the other's until it seemed they breathed as one.

Isaac's brows cut sharp lines, his eyes dark yet gleaming with a dangerous light. And those lips were full,curved, and waiting with unspoken temptation.

His jawline was cleanly carved, rugged yet devastatingly handsome. His hair fell just tousled enough to add a reckless edge.

From head to toe, he was impossible to resist.

Once again, Verena couldn't deny it-her taste in men was flawless. In the end, her fragile self-control snapped.

"Fine,just once."

Verena shut her eyes and brushed her lips against his, already starting to pull away.

But Isaac's hand clamped firmly at the back of her head, dragging her closer as his mouth crashed down,deepening the kiss without mercy.

A low, stifled groan escaped from Verena's lips.

Isaac's scent, his heat-every inch of him consumed her.

Eyes half-open, Isaac flicked a cold glance toward the window.

The shadow flinched, and then vanished in a hurry. Isaac's lips curled with a mocking smile.

Only Verena had ever managed to make him feel small. But in front of others, he was confident of himself.

···

Water thundered from the hospital sink, splattering against porcelain in an endless rush.

Simon bent low, scooping a handful to his face.

The icy spray stung his skin, but it could not quench the inferno clawing inside his chest.

Jealousy raged, wild and merciless, a fire that refused to burn out.

His hands clamped onto the sink, muscles taut, eyes drilling into the reflection staring back at him.

Why Isaac? Why in God's name him?

Even crippled, the man still commanded Verena's devotion. Isaac was already showered with blessings,and he still held the one thing Simon craved beyond reason.

Longing soured into bitterness, and bitterness fermented into hate. He could not comprehend it A

Back then, Verena had saved them both. So why did she choose lsaac?

Because the Bennett family name weighed heavier on the scales?

Fate had turned cruel, merciless-a cosmic joke. Simon wanted nothing more than Verena, yet still had to wrestle for her like a beggar at the gate.

The mirror mocked him as his own lips twisted into a crooked grin.

His jaw locked tight, eyes narrowing with ruthless resolve.

His course was set. By hook or by crook, he would claim Verena. And Isaac... Simon's eyes glowed dark, venom dripping in the silence.

If Isaac had cheated death once, then death could still claim him again.

Last time, his father had pulled him back from the abyss.

This time, no such miracle would intervene.

Life rarely dealt the same hand twice.

If Isaac's pride lay in his family name, Simon would shred that pride to pieces.

He could not topple Isaac on his own, but somewhere,someone could.

Simon's grip tightened until his knuckles blanched, veins standing out like cords of iron.

···

Isaac trusted his instincts-and his instincts whispered that Simon stank of hidden motives.

Before leaving for work, Verena quietly promised she would dig into Simon's past.

Isaac hungered for answers even more than she did. So he told her to leave it in his hands.

Verena offered no protest; she only nodded.

Once she left, Isaac lifted his phone and called Jacob.

"Jacob. Dig into someone for me. His name is Simon Moss. He's a shrink, new at Verena's hospital."

"Yes,Mr.Bennett. I'll begin immediately." Jacob's voice cut through, sharp and precise.

Isaac ended the call, his fingers tapping thoughtfully against the phone's edge.

He recalled Simon's stare-unsettling in its stillness, watchful as a hawk, calculating to the last detail.

Simon was no harmless shrink. And since Jacob's digging might not strike deep enough, Isaac didn't hesitate-he dialed another number."Stevie."

"Isaac? Calling me out of nowhere? How are you feeling? Are you alright? Want me to come over?"

The questions poured out in a torrent, but lsaac sliced through them with a sharp interruption. "No need. I'm fine.K<eep your focus on work."

With clear reluctance, Stevie sank back into his chair, the motion heavy with unease.

"Then tell me-how's recovery? Didn't Verena say rehab was beginning soon?"

Isaac's gaze drifted toward the window, his voice flat. "I tried. Failed."

"What happened?" Stevie blurted. "The surgery-did something go wrong?"

"The surgery was fine. The problem's in my mind."

"Psychological?" Stevie asked.

"Exactly." Isaac's voice dropped cold. "I need a favor."

Stevie froze, bewildered. "Isaac, I'm a hacker, not a shr nk. You've got the wrong guy. Wrong number maybe?"

A rare, dangerous smile tugged at Isaac's lips. "I don't need therapy. I need you to dig into someone."