Isabella understood the courage required to voice her fears.

She knew Ethan cared deeply for Sophia.

If anything happened to Sophia, Isabella worried she would be blamed.

Her heart pounded as she finished speaking.

She looked at Ethan again, searching for any reaction.

Ethan’s calm expression suddenly darkened.

His eyes turned icy.

He slammed his utensils down.

The sharp sound echoed through the silent dining room.

His intense gaze fixed on Isabella.

“Are you trying to push me away, Isabella?”

She froze, completely speechless.

She had no idea how to respond.

Just then, a phone rang sharply.

It cut through the tense silence.

Isabella pulled her phone out quickly.

She saw it was from Mia Rodriguez, Eleanor’s caregiver.

Her stomach tightened immediately.

“Mia? What’s wrong?” Her voice shook with worry.

Mia’s anxious voice replied from the other end. “Mrs. Vance collapsed in her bedroom. I don’t know what to do!”

Isabella’s face went pale.

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the phone.

“Stay calm. Check her breathing. Open the windows. I’m coming right now!”

She stood up so fast her chair fell over with a loud thud.

Ethan watched her frantic movements, his brow furrowing.

“What happened?” he asked urgently.

“My grandmother… she fainted!” Isabella stammered, tears welling in her eyes.

She grabbed her handbag and turned to leave.

“I’ll drive you,” Ethan said, standing up decisively.

Isabella didn’t argue. Every second counted.

She knelt quickly in front of Liam.

Her voice trembled but she kept it calm. “Sweetheart, Great-grandma is sick. I need to go see her. Be good for the butler, okay?”

Liam sensed her distress immediately.

He nodded solemnly, his small fingers gripping hers.

“Come back soon, Mommy,” he whispered softly.

Fighting back tears, Isabella kissed his forehead.

She hurried out with Ethan through the gates of Hawthorne Residence.

The butler watched them leave from a distance, sighing softly.

In the car, Isabella held her phone so tightly her veins stood out.

Her face was ghostly pale.

She took deep breaths, but the panic wouldn’t ease.

Tears clouded her vision, streaming down her cheeks.

“Grandma…” she whispered, terrified of losing Eleanor.

Ethan kept one hand on the wheel.

With his other hand, he covered Isabella’s cold one.

He gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“We’re almost there. Don’t be afraid,” he murmured gently.

She gripped his hand like a lifeline.

Silently, she prayed for Eleanor’s safety.

Outside, the world blurred as they sped forward.

Finally, the car screeched to a halt outside Eleanor’s building.

Isabella flung the door open before it fully stopped.

She raced up the steps, Ethan close behind her.