Married with the Broken Hearted CEO novel Chapter 44

With a downward gaze, Isa stayed seated on the floor while the liquid of mixed food and drinks dripping from the top of her head to her face and to the tip of her chin. 
A cold wave of dread washed over her. In the special event when many people came to celebrate, she humiliated herself and became the laughingstock of everyone, although some of them felt sorry. Isa heard the murmurs, asking who she might be or how embarrassing it would be to be in her situation. 
Isa felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach as she realized how mortifying it is to make a fool of herself. Was it because of the alcohol? Her desperation to follow a man who resembles her stepbrother?
Things went so quick, she’s not sure what this is and how is that. All she wished if for the earth to open up and swallow her in a whole. 
‘I don’t want to be here,’ she prayed inwardly as she could not bear to lift her head and meet the eyes around. 
Her cheeks burned as tears prickled at the corner of her eyes. At the world where she feels lonely, when she feels alone, there’s only one person who stayed by her side unconditionally. And during this moment, he’s the only one she can think of. 
Slowly, Isa turned around and looked at Chadwick and Adira. 
Chadwick’s eyes shook as he saw the face of her and the eyes which say: ‘Help me.’ 
In the middle of the deafening silence, Chadwick and Isa exchanged look at each other. He can go down, help her and guide her out of the place. But if he does that, then that means he will leave his wife’s side just to help another woman. A scandal might arise. 
That’s what Nocturne wanted to happen. 
Adira looked at the arrogant man, who tripped Isa. With puffed out chest, Nocturne raised his wine glass to Adira as he smirked in satisfaction. Adira knew right then that it was Nocturne who caused the commotion. 
‘That sh*t,’ Adira cursed inwardly. 
Chadwick wanted to close his eyes and ignored Isa. But he cannot. Although his heart belongs to his wife, he cannot ignore the woman who also became a good friend of his. He told himself how scary it is for an innocent and weak-hearted Isa to be in the situation.
And so, Chadwick began to step towards her. Adira held Chadwick’s wrist, as if to stop him. Because she knows what he’s thinking, what he’s intending to do, and what might his heart desires. 
Knowing what her touch means, Chadwick looked back at his wrist and to her solemn eyes that explained a ton of reasons why he should stay still. 
There are lot of eyes around, lot of judgement that will befall and cause an uproar in the future. 
And yes. Chadwick  knew that. Notwithstanding, his decision when he stepped forward, won’t change. He felt sorry that even though he knew what would happen in the future, he cannot stop himself from helping the poor friend. 
“I’m sorry,” Chadwick apologized to her before he went down on the stage. 
All watched him strode to Isa with worried expression on his face, hopping down the stairs away from his wordless wife. 
Adira was left alone in the stage. She observed him with apathetic gaze while inwardly blaming how love can turn someone into a fool.  ‘Love will really make you dumb. Damn it.’ 
Soon when Chadwick arrived at Isa’s side, he knelt down and removed his black suit. He used it to wrapped her dirty body, as if to hide her embarrassment from the crowd. 
“Are you alright?” he asked. 
The gentle voice, as deep and mellow like the evening thrush, rang inside Isa’s reddened ears. Finally, after being in desolated cold, she’s in the arm of the person who loved her more than anyone else. 
‘He’s the only one who stayed at me and the only salvation I ever had.’ 
Hot tears burst down on Isa’s cheeks. She regretted not loving him back, and felt sorry. All this time, Chadwick never failed to show his worth. But it’s too late for Isa to realize how much effort he gave. 
“C-Chadwick,” she sobbed, lifting her wet face to see him.
Chadwick caressed her shoulder, as to calm her. Then he said, “It’s okay. I will take you out.”
Holding both of her shoulder, Chadwick made her stand up. Then, he guided her out of the garden without turning his head around. 
There’s no way he can look at his wife. Because at this moment, he has no courage to see what kind of expression Adira is making while watching him took the side of another woman. 
Loud murmurs buzzed in the air. They whispered to one another as they glanced at the wife, who was left alone in the stage. They wonder who the woman is for Chadwick to act that way, and why did he leave his wife just to save a woman in front of everyone. The speculations made up, putting Adira in the tight spot. 
With this, Nocturne’s plan to make life harder for Adira has succeeded. 
Adira’s eyes traced once again at Nocturne who’s smiling so wide while sipping on his wine. He is celebrating his victory with the wine from her company. 
‘I lost this time,’ Adira admitted. With a sneer on her lips, Adira’s hands clenched until her palms turned white. 
-------------------------
Neil doesn’t know what to do anymore. He knew that his boss only did that because Isa is a friend who has no one to lean on. But still, he wanted to blame Chadwick for being a fool and for letting a woman like her control him. 
‘It is her fault that she embarrassed herself in front of the crowd! Why does she had to make this kind of trouble to madam and boss?!’ Neil shouted internally.
If only Isa is a man, he should have ask her to have a one on one fight. But he cannot do anything. Working as Chadwick’s secretary, all he had to do is to do whatever he was asked to do. 
Even out of his will, Neil went out to get a car for Isa. Chadwick told him that he should send the lady home, because he needed to go back to the event. 
‘After the commotion? How the hell he can go inside and explain to everyone?’ Neil wondered about that. 
Sitting on the driver’s seat of the unmoving car, Neil rolled his eyes before he looked at Chadwick and Isa through the front mirror. 
The drunk woman who spilled food and drinks on her head is leaning her head on Chadwick’s shoulder. Neil got so annoyed. First, he doesn’t want to get the car dirty. Second, he hates weak girl who acted helpless. Third, he just hates Isa, that’s all. 
“Neil,” Chadwick murmured. 
“Yes, sir?” Neil answered with irritating voice. 
“Can you get out for a moment?” 
Frowning, Neil looked back. He really wanted to question his boss’ command but he suppressed his protest. Biting his lip firmly, Neil nodded his head and unbuckled his seat belt. 
“Yes, sir,” he answered with enthusiastic voice. He left the car and stood from a great distance.
From the outside, Neil looked at his boss and the woman inside the back seat of the car. 
“I already quit from smoking but now, I wanted to do it again.” 
He held his chest and added. 
“This is suffocating. I feel like I am getting a heart attack just by getting so damn angry.” 
Meanwhile, inside the car, Chadwick shook Isa’s shoulder to make her awake. 
“Isa, wake up.” 
Gradually, Isa opened the window of her heavy eyes. First, she smelled the reeking scent of alcohol and food. Tilting her head on the side, he saw Chadwick. As soon as his face illuminated from the yellow light of the moon, the sad smile spread on her lips, slowly but surely.
“You saved me,” she murmured. 
Chadwick heaved a sigh. He doesn’t want this situation, but it already happened and all left is how he’ll handle the aftermath of his action.
“Isa,” he whispered. “I don’t want you to experience such things. That is why I promised to you before that I will always stay by your side.” 
Isa nodded her head. “That’s right. Isn’t that the reason why you went down to hold me? Because you will always be by my side.” 
“I…” Chadwick spoke in low voice. “I did it because Isa is a friend.” 
Her pupils shook, and her lips parted. 
“However, some things have changed already. I can’t be the Chadwick who will choose to be by your side.” 
“Is it because of Adira?” Isa murmured. She doesn’t know if her gullible reactions was caused of her drunkenness, nonetheless, she cannot really hide her hatred towards his wife anymore. “Because you love her?” 
With downcast eyes, Chadwick answered, “Yes. I love her and I don’t to hurt her anymore.” 
Tears flowed down on Isa’s eyes. She bit her lip and clenched her fists. 
“So this will be the last, Isa. Because the next time, I will unconditionally choose to stay beside her.” 
Isa bowed her head and sobbed silently. 
“Neil will take you home. Please rest well.” 
Chadwick held the doorknob. He was about to go when Isa suddenly pulled his arms to look back at her. 
“Don’t go,” she begged. 
He frowned. This is the first time that Isa asked him to stay, because as far as he can remember, it was always him who pleaded her to stop following Geoffrey and love him back instead. But now, she’s doing the same time he did in the past. 
“Don’t go,” Isa pleaded. Slowly, she secretly looked at Adira who just came at the parking lot. 
Adira was looking around, as if finding her husband. Soon, Adira’s eyes fixed at their car. She saw Isa and Chadwick together. 
“Isa, I told you that…” Chadwick murmured, before Isa pulled him closer and kissed his lips.