Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 18

Isabelle didn't argue back. She just stayed quiet for a long moment.

She never thought things would end like this between them. They were enemies now.

The hospital loudspeaker called her name, and the sound finally snapped her back to reality.

Isabelle didn't want to fight, not here in a hospital. Their conversation was already drawing stares from people passing by, and she didn't want any more attention.

"Nicole, let's just leave things here." Isabelle tried to walk away, but Nicole blocked the corridor.

"Isabelle, you broke up with Gary less than a month ago. Did you go sleep with some random guy and now you're using me and Gary as your cover?"

"Nicole, show some respect!" Isabelle had been holding back long enough.

If she wasn't pregnant, she'd march right over and slap this bitch into next week.

"Heh! What are you so nervous about, Isabelle?" Nicole stepped forward and snatched the medical form right out of her hands.

"Give it back!" Isabelle lunged to grab it, but the servant blocked her path.

"Just as I thought!" Nicole knew exactly what kind of test this form was for.

Isabelle's nose turned red, and the flush spread up to her eyebrows.

For years, classmates had made jokes about her being illegitimate, but Nicole had always been there to defend her and shut them down. Now she was using that same weakness to attack her.

Nicole laughed—mocking how cheap she was, how she'd always acted so pure and perfect in front of everyone. "You know why I protected you all these years?"

Isabelle hadn't known before, but now she could guess.

"Because Gary liked you. I liked Gary. I had to play the perfect friend in front of him so he'd think I was this caring, wonderful person. Everyone said how kind I was, and Gary started accepting me. But you have no idea how much I hated you the whole time!"

The words hit Isabelle like a lightning bolt.

Friendship could be fake too. All those years of care and concern had been an act.

The boyfriend was fake. The best friend was fake.

Isabelle understood now, and tears spilled down her cheeks despite her best efforts.

"Give me back the form." The words came out slowly as she fought to control her emotions.

Nicole pulled the servant aside and stepped right up to Isabelle. "Tell me who the bastard father is, and I'll give it back."

Isabelle wasn't stupid enough to fall for that trap.

Damian was a famous name in the fashion industry. Everyone knew him, everyone feared him. If she said his name, Nicole would never believe her and would just humiliate her more.

Plus, Damian had deleted her contact yesterday. Even if she admitted it, he'd never step forward to back her up.

"Give me the form!" Isabelle reached out to grab it, but Nicole's hand shot up and cracked hard across her face.

Nicole recognized the man in front of her and stumbled back two steps in fear.

"Mr. Cross..." she murmured.

His gaze was sharp and cold as he stared Nicole down. "What was that? Who did you just call a bastard?"

Nicole still hadn't figured out what was happening, and her anger clouded her judgment. The words came spilling out before she could stop them. "Isabelle's a slut! She slept with some other guy before she even broke up with her boyfriend..."

His hand shot out and connected hard with her face.

He'd just hit a woman.

The air around them seemed to freeze.

Nicole clutched her cheek, and realization finally dawned. He was the one. He was the "bastard" she'd been talking about.

"Get out. I don't want to hear your voice again." Damian didn't even look at Nicole as he spoke. Instead, he gently wiped the tears from Isabelle's eyes and brushed his fingers over her reddened cheek.

Nicole knew she was in the wrong and didn't dare cause more trouble. She covered her swollen face and hurried away.

Isabelle didn't know what to do with herself.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.