Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 41

He was confined to a wheelchair, shut in his room all day, never going out, never speaking, with the windows closed even in daylight.

She had never seen him—not when she arrived, and not when she left.

Could it be him...?

Isabelle glanced at his legs but didn't notice anything unusual. She wanted to ask more, but suddenly felt a firm grip on her arm. The next moment, her feet left the ground as she was pulled against the hard wall of his chest.

Damian had wrapped an arm around her. "Watch out," he said.

"Sorry about that!" Two teenagers quickly pulled back the cotton candy they'd almost bumped into her with.

"Good thing you're not wearing a shirt with buttons. They probably wouldn't have survived that grip," Damian said with a low chuckle, glancing down.

Isabelle realized her hands were still clutching the front of his sweater. "Sorry..." she mumbled, quickly letting go and smoothing the wrinkled fabric.

Later, when they truly fell in love, he often lost control. He'd walk in, yank off his button-down—no bother with the buttons, just ripping it off. First his, then hers. After the sex, he'd quietly pick up the scattered buttons and sew them back on himself.

Isabelle was both captivated and embarrassed by his wild side. By day, he was extremely courteous, impeccably dressed, with a striking face. By night, he was ravenous, intense.

They visited many places and saw many rare works of art. Just as they were about to head back, Damian suggested stopping by the church.

Isabelle was puzzled. A big-shot CEO visiting a church? Got a guilty conscience?

There was only one church around, St. Lumina's Church, nestled on the hillside. It wasn't crowded, known only to a few. Legend had it that if people made a wish there and tossed a coin into the offering box, it would come true.

Isabelle hesitated. She didn't want to go.

Years ago, she'd brought Gary here. She'd thrown her coin over a dozen times, and it never went in. She'd given up. Later, she came back alone and tried again, with the same result. Seemed like fate itself was against them being together.

Her eyes stung, but she gave a light laugh and agreed.

Might as well see if I have any fate with this man I've been married to for less than a week.

There, he wrote his wish seriously, his back to her, keeping it private.

Isabelle didn't try to peek. She just wrote both their names on a slip of paper and handed it to the attendant.

A wave of guilt washed over her. I don't love him. We're practically strangers who just ended up together.

"Ours now," he said, then turned and walked away.

Isabelle had to admit he was pretty good—even a casual toss like that went in.

Isabelle looked from the box to Damian's retreating back, frustration bubbling up. She hurried after him. She finally caught up, only to slip on the wet path, nearly falling.

Damian reached out and pulled her into his arms. Isabelle pushed away hastily, just as familiar laughter floated up from the path below.

She grabbed Damian's hand and pulled him behind a nearby decorative rock formation.

"Shh!" she hissed.

The rocks weren't big, only enough to hide one person. Damian turned his back to the path, and Isabelle pressed herself against his front.

"Isabelle, we're married. This is legitimate, not some secret affair," he said, his tone utterly serious, which somehow made the whole thing sound more suggestive.

"Just be quiet!" Isabelle glared up at him. It was the first time she'd snapped at him like that, and it reminded her of the time in the hospital when she'd called him by his full name.