Chapter 261

Isabella couldn't fool herself. The words left a dull ache in her chest as they escaped her lips.

This pain was familiar. During her three-year marriage to Alexander, this heartache had been more constant than his presence. She'd grown accustomed to it.

"Alexander, why ask these questions now?" Her voice cracked slightly. "Do you really think I'd stay and wait for you after everything?"

Her crystal-like eyes narrowed, revealing a rare vulnerability that made his chest tighten. "I loved you for thirteen years. How many sets of thirteen years does one get in a lifetime? I can't love anymore. I'm terrified of you."

The unspoken thought lingered between them: She wasn't just afraid of him - she feared love itself.

Alexander felt like he'd been stabbed. His lips lost all color as emotions clogged his throat, making breathing difficult.

A horrifying realization struck him - he'd reached new depths of selfishness.

Their sham marriage hadn't just wasted her time; it had nearly broken her spirit.

"Isabella, are you serious?" His voice was raw, knowing he was begging for humiliation.

"When have I ever lied to you?" A bitter laugh escaped her, light as air but heavy with meaning. "When I said I loved you, I meant it. When I said I didn't want a divorce, I was sincere. Every tear I shed for you was real. So when I say I don't love you anymore - that's the truth too."

"Isabella." His bloodshot eyes burned as he grabbed her hand again. Despite her fever, her fingers were ice-cold against his skin.

No matter how tightly he held on, he couldn't warm them.

"Alexander, I appreciate you saving my life." Her words were clinical, putting emotional distance between them. "You've saved me again, and I owe you. In the future, within reason, I'll repay this debt."

The message was clear - after this, she wanted nothing more to do with him.

Before Alexander could respond, Isabella slumped against his shoulder, her breathing evening out in sleep.

Flushed cheeks. Fluttering lashes. A sheen of sweat on her forehead. In his arms, she looked like a peaceful, vulnerable child.

His heart hammered against his ribs as he pulled her closer.

Once, he'd had countless chances to hold her like this.

Now, these stolen moments were all he had left.

He'd brought this upon himself.

The walkie-talkie remained silent. No cell signal.

Though part of him longed to stay trapped here with her forever, her worsening fever couldn't wait. If they stayed overnight, complications could arise.

Anxiety gnawed at him as he repeatedly checked her temperature with his palm.

He needed to cool her down. He needed to signal for help.

Bracing against the storm, Alexander gathered dry branches. Military training kicked in as he built two fires - one at the cave entrance as a distress signal, another inside for warmth.

The flickering flames cast an orange glow across Isabella's delicate features, making her porcelain skin glow. Alexander's gaze darkened as he watched her.

"Alexander..." Her sleep-slurred murmur sent his pulse racing.

"I'm here." He knelt before her, voice rough. "Are you warmer now?"

"You're such an asshole!" Even in sleep, her hand lashed out, delivering a weak slap.

It didn't hurt - what strength did a sick kitten have?

Alexander almost smiled. Even unconscious, she couldn't resist cursing him. The damage he'd done would take a lifetime to repair.

A lifetime.

The thought sent his heart pounding. Could he spend that lifetime making amends? Protecting her? Was this... love?

Before he could stop himself, he bent down, gathering her limp form against him. His lips found hers in a searing kiss.

A soft whimper escaped her, making his blood run hotter.

Their mouths moved together desperately, his grip tightening as the kiss deepened. Eyes closed, he surrendered to instinct, wanting this moment to last forever.

Then - the roar of helicopter blades cut through the storm.

"Isabella! Don't be scared, we're saved!" Relief made him crush her tighter against his chest.

The chopper landed expertly despite the gale.

Squinting against the searchlight, Alexander's stomach dropped - this wasn't an Abernathy Group helicopter.

Who had found them?

It didn't matter. All that mattered was getting Isabella medical attention.

Scooping up his bundled wife, he strode toward the aircraft.

"Isabella!"

"Isabella!"

Two voices shouted over the rotor wash. Sebastian and Daniel emerged from the helicopter.

Alexander remained stone-faced seeing Sebastian. But the sight of the uniformed colonel beside him - tall boots, crisp green uniform - made his breath catch.

It was like looking in a mirror at his past self.

Even as CEO of a billion-dollar empire, he still missed his military days.

But right now, he cared more about this man's connection to Isabella.

"Alexander, give her back!" Daniel's handsome face twisted with anger. Rain streamed from his military cap, but nothing could bend his soldier's posture.

Unlike Daniel who'd never met Alexander, Sebastian maintained composure, though displeasure flickered across his features.

Seeing Alexander shirtless in freezing temperatures, having wrapped all his clothes around Isabella, Sebastian felt an unexpected pang of... something.

"What's wrong with Isabella?" Daniel charged forward.

Alexander stepped back protectively. "Who are you to her?"

"He's my brother and Isabella's third elder brother," Sebastian explained quickly.

Alexander's brows shot up.

Looking closer, while Daniel didn't resemble Sebastian, he shared seven out of ten features with Oliver. How had he missed it?

He'd never known Isabella had another military brother - and one with such high rank!

His lips pressed into a thin line as jealousy spiked. He pulled Isabella tighter against him.

Damn it. Why were all the men in her life so exceptional?

For the first time, Alexander Kingsley felt violently jealous over a woman - and envious of another man.

"Isabella."