Chapter 291
Back outside, Henry’s vigil continued. Hours ticked by—the sun climbing higher, turning the morning chill into a warm afternoon glow—but he refused to budge. His stomach growled, but food was the furthest thing from his mind. “Please,” he begged another guard, his voice hoarse from crying. “Just tell me if she’s awake. If she’s okay. I… I love her. I’ve always loved her p>
The guard looked shocked at his confession but shook his head sympathetically. “Can’t do that, sir. Orders are strict p>
Back in the tent, Isabella woke to emptiness.
The bed beside her was cold, the sheets undisturbed where Henry should have been, and the realization hit her like a bucket of ice water. She pushed herself upright, clutching the blanket to her chest as if it could anchor her, her heart sinking fast.
“Henry?” she called softly, her voice tentative as her eyes drifted toward the small attached bathroom.
Nothing.
No running water. No footsteps. No answer.
The silence pressed in, loud and suffocating, and suddenly the memories of last night—his touch, his laughter, the way he’d looked at her like the world had narrowed to just the two of them—began to sour. What if it had all been temporary? A moment of weakness? A beautiful mistake?
Her mind, ever unhelpful, supplied the questions one after another.
Had it meant nothing to him? Was she just a rebound—someone warm and convenient while his heart was still tangled up with Eliana? Did he wake up, see her, and regret everything?
Isabella swallowed hard and reached for her phone on the nightstand. Her fingers trembled as she dialed his number. It rang once. Twice. Then—
Voicemail.
Her chest tightened. She tried again, as if the second attempt might magically rewrite reality.
Same result.
“Come on, Henry… pick up,” she whispered, her voice cracking despite her effort to keep it steady.
The phone slipped back into her lap as she stared at the blank screen, the luxury of the tent suddenly feeling hollow, too quiet, too big for just one person.
Tears pricked at her eyes as overthinking took hold. He regrets it, she thought, pulling on her clothes with mechanical movements. I was just a body to him, someone to fill the void. God, Izzy, you’re such a fool. After Logan, you promised yourself no more heartbreaks. She felt dirty, used—like a one-night stand abandoned in the harsh light of day. Stepping outside, the chaos greeted her, but she ignored it at first, scanning the crowd for Henry’s familiar tall frame. That’s when she overheard two CEOs chatting nearby, their voices carrying over the din.
“Did you hear about Eliana Vexley?” one said, a slick-haired man in a tailored suit. “Fell into a ditch last night. Rafael’s got the medical tent on lockdown p>
The other woman—a sharp-featured brunette with eyes that missed nothing—nodded grimly. “Poor thing. Apparently, some guy named Jason Asher was with her too.” She lowered her voice, glancing toward the distant cluster of people. “Everyone’s gathering over there now. If this turns into a full-blown crisis She sighed. “Well, we can kiss that Vexley Enterprises contract goodbye—at least for now p>
Her lips pursed in mild frustration. “Tragedy has a way of completely ruining business timelines p>
Isabella’s blood ran cold. Eliana. Of course Henry would be there. Without a second thought, she hurried toward the medical tent, her heels sinking into the soft earth. There he was, slumped against the tree, eyes red-rimmed and puffy, surrounded by a small group of concerned onlookers. He looked shattered, like a man who’d lost everything. Her heart ached for him, despite the sting of abandonment. She approached cautiously, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Henry? Oh, Henry, I heard… I’m so sorry p>
He looked up, his warm eyes flooded with fresh tears. For a moment, he leaned into her touch, allowing her to pull him into a hug. She held him as he sobbed, his body trembling against hers. “Izzy… it’s Eliana. She’s hurt, and I can’t even see her. Rafael won’t let anyone in. What if she’s… what if I lose her forever? This is all my fault p>
“Shh, it’s okay,” Isabella soothed, stroking his back. “She’s strong. She’ll pull through. And it’s not your fault, Henry. You couldn’t have known p>
“But it is!” he choked out, pulling back slightly but still clinging to her arms. “I should’ve been there. In college, I loved her so much, but I never said anything because she was with Jason. And now… now this. If I’d just fought for her against Rafael, maybe none of this would’ve happened p>
Isabella’s chest tightened, but she pushed her own pain aside. “Henry, you’re here now. That’s what matters. Blaming yourself won’t help her p>
They sat like that for what felt like hours, Isabella murmuring comforts while Henry poured out his guilt. The sun beat down, turning the afternoon sticky and uncomfortable. Henry’s stomach rumbled audibly, and Isabella glanced at her watch—it was well past noon. “Henry, you’ve been out here all morning. You haven’t eaten anything. Maybe we should grab something quick? Just to keep your strength up. Eliana would want you to take care of yourself p>
He jerked away as if she’d slapped him, his eyes flashing with anger. “Eat? Are you serious, Isabella? How can you even suggest that? Eliana’s in there fighting for her life, and you want me to worry about food? You’re being insensitive! Nothing—nothing—is more important than her right now p>
The words cut deep, sharper than any knife. Isabella recoiled, her face paling. In that instant, clarity hit her like a thunderbolt. Henry Jackson was still chained to Eliana, his heart a prisoner to a love that might never be reciprocated. And she? She was just a footnote, a temporary salve. “I… I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the murmurs of the crowd. “I didn’t mean to push. I just… I care about you, Henry p>
He didn’t respond, his gaze already drifting back to the tent entrance, lost in his turmoil. Isabella stood there for a moment, hoping for some acknowledgment, but none came. With a heavy heart, she turned and walked away, her steps measured but her mind racing. ’He doesn’t need me,’ she thought, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. ’Not when it comes to Eliana. I have to let go—for my own sake.’ The rejection burned, echoing the betrayal from Logan, but this time, she vowed to heal on her own. As she disappeared into the crowd, the weight of yet another shattered dream pressed down, but beneath it, a spark of resolve flickered. Isabella Voss was self-made, resilient. She would survive this too.