Strangers When We Meet Again

Isabella's heart skipped a beat.

But within a second, she regained her composure.

"It's my college roommate Fion Newman. She's getting divorced, so I'm referring my lawyer to her. Why?"

Ethan relaxed. "I thought..."

Before finishing his sentence, he smiled and shook his head.

He was overthinking things.

Bella had no idea about him and Sophie. Even if they'd been having some disagreements lately, it would never escalate to divorce.

So he dropped the topic and simply took Isabella's hand.

"Bella, I have a gift for you."

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "What gift?"

Ethan smiled. "Didn't you always want to adopt a child? I've been thinking about it, and you're right—we do need a child."

Isabella looked at Ethan in disbelief.

Due to her condition, she'd known for a long time that she could never have children of her own.

She'd always felt guilty about this, and knowing that Ethan actually loved children, she had suggested adopting when they first married.

But Ethan had refused outright then.

Why was he suddenly changing his mind?

Isabella found it strange and couldn't help asking, "Why so sudden?"

"It's not sudden," Ethan said gently. "I'm already contacting agencies. The paperwork is slow—probably seven or eight months—but then we can welcome our child."

Ethan showed unprecedented enthusiasm for adopting a child.

He converted one room in the villa into a nursery, had it renovated and painted, then began buying baby supplies.

From cribs to tiny clothes to all sorts of toys and books.

He was devoted to every detail.

Isabella found it even more bizarre.

Until one night, Isabella woke up with a headache and heard sounds coming from the nursery.

She walked to the doorway and saw Sophie and Ethan inside.

Ethan was gripping Sophie's hand, angrily questioning her.

"Sophie! Who gave you permission to come to my house in the middle of the night? And into this room? And what's the meaning of these photos!"

Sophie was holding a photo album filled with ultrasound images and pictures of a pregnant belly, but no faces were visible.

Sophie burst into tears.

"I just thought the baby's birth process only happens once, so I wanted to document it for him. I didn't mean anything else..."

Ethan's anger flared even more.

"What do you mean 'document it'? I think you're deliberately trying to let the child know you're his biological mother! Sophie, I've made it very clear—you can keep the baby in your belly, but only as mine and Bella's child!

"And you are never to appear in front of this child!"

At that moment, Sophie completely broke down.

"I know..." she sobbed uncontrollably. "I know everything... if you don't believe me, look at the album cover..."

Ethan frowned and closed the album in his hands.

The cover read:

Baby, this is a gift documenting your growth

From Mommy, Isabella

Ethan's pupils contracted as he looked up sharply at Sophie. "You..."

Sophie was now crying inconsolably.

"I know everything... I know you're only keeping this baby for Isabella. I never thought about taking anything away, and I know my place...

"But I really wanted to leave the baby a memento, so I took these photos. Don't worry—everything I give the child, I'll put Isabella's name on it... mmph..."

Before Sophie could finish, Ethan silenced her with a fierce kiss.

The pain in the man's eyes had become almost tangible, finally transforming into possessive action as he pressed the girl against the crib railing.

Sophie covered her belly in fear.

"Professor, the baby..."

But Ethan roughly pulled at her dress.

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

The sounds of impact continued. Isabella, standing at the door, finally couldn't take it anymore and slid down the wall.

No wonder Ethan had suddenly wanted a child.

No wonder he was so excited about this baby.

No wonder when Sophie fell down the stairs, Ethan didn't believe she'd done it deliberately.

The child she was supposed to "adopt" was Sophie's.

Ethan actually wanted the child he and Sophie created to call her mother.

Isabella closed her eyes as tears silently rolled down her cheeks.

Ethan, how could you... be so cruel?

...

The matter of the child was the final straw for Isabella.

She couldn't even pretend anymore and told Ethan directly that she wanted to go back to her parents’ home to rest.

Ethan initially disagreed but eventually relented.

He was supposed to drive her to the airport, but halfway there, he got a call saying there was an emergency at the company.

Isabella knowingly opened social media and, sure enough, Sophie had posted another hospital check-in with the caption: My stomach hurts a little, I hope nothing's wrong.

But Isabella couldn't be bothered to call out the lie. After Ethan left, she drove herself to the airport.

But just as her car left the villa gates, a large truck suddenly charged toward her.

CRASH!

Isabella had no time to react before her entire car was sent flying.

Her head slammed hard against the car window, the airbag deployed, and Isabella was left semi-conscious in her seat.

In her daze, she saw several young men getting out of the truck.

She recognized them—boys from the same orphanage as Sophie.

When she'd sponsored Sophie, she'd helped them too.

They walked over to check on Isabella's condition.

"Hit this bad, she probably won't make it, right?"

"Definitely not. This woman already had brain problems—she's a goner!"

"Haha, perfect! Once she's dead, Sophie can become the Cross family's young hostess, and we'll get our cut!"

"Alright, alright, let's get out of here before someone comes!"

They hurried away, leaving Isabella lying there, her chest heaving violently.

So it was... Sophie...

There was no one around the villa entrance. She struggled to reach for her phone to call for help.

But the phone was too far away—she could only reach a speed dial button.

She had no choice but to press it.

After all these years, she only had one person on speed dial: Ethan.

The call connected quickly.

"Hello, Bella?"

Isabella used her last bit of strength to speak, "Ethan, quick... call an ambulance..."

But she could hear commotion on the other end.

Isabella faintly heard Sophie's crying.

"Professor, do you think something's wrong with the baby?"

Ethan's attention was immediately captured completely. He hadn't heard what Isabella was saying and spoke hurriedly.

"Bella, I have an emergency here to deal with. I'll call you back later."

He hung up directly.

Beep, beep, beep.

The busy tone echoed in the empty car as Isabella closed her eyes in despair.

Her strength was draining away, her skull felt like it was splitting open, and countless memories flashed through her mind like a slideshow...

The moment Ethan slipped the ring on her finger...

The moment before surgery when Ethan held her hand and begged her not to leave...

The moment when she woke up and he cried tears of joy...

Isabella finally couldn't hold on anymore and slowly closed her eyes.

Then suddenly she heard—

"Someone's been in an accident here! Quick! Come help!"

Isabella felt herself being pulled from the car as ambulance sirens wailed around her.

Then—

"No good, she needs surgery!"

"But surgery might cause premature memory loss!"

"Forget about memory loss! Saving her life comes first—operate now!"

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils as Isabella finally gave in and lost consciousness completely...

After surgery, Isabella remained unconscious for three days and nights.

On the third day, she finally woke up.

"Bella!"

Ethan, who had been keeping vigil by her bedside, rushed to take her hand.

The usually composed and dignified man now looked completely haggard, his face covered with stubble.

But he paid no attention to his appearance, only gripping Isabella's hand anxiously.

"Bella, how do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?

"I'm sorry—I never should have hung up on you that day. I didn't know you'd been in an accident. I'm so sorry..."

Ethan was almost in tears.

But Isabella in front of him just frowned slightly.

She remained unmoved by Ethan's tears, simply withdrew her hand and looked at him warily before speaking coldly.

"Who are you?"