Chapter 19
“Mr. Yates, just focus on getting better, okay? Don’t worry about anything else. If you need anything, just let us know. We’re family, after all,” Hannah said with a warm smile.
“Thanks, Mrs. Galvez. Just call me Blake, no need for the formalities. Isabel saved my life, and from here on out, I’ve got your back, just like family,” Blake said, giving a small nod.
Being at the Galvez family’s house was way better than the hospital. There was a warmth here, a real sense of home. And the best part? He got to see Isabel every single day.
Blake couldn’t help but feel a little smile tug at his lips.
“Alright then, now that Blake’s back, I’ll cook something extra tasty tonight!” Hannah said, her eyes twinkling.
At that moment, Samuel entered the room, leaning on his rehab device. After weeks of training, he was finally able to walk- though he still needed a bit of support.
“Hannah, what happened when you went to the manor yesterday? Mom called me this morning, and she sounded furious.” He questioned.
Isabel and Hannah had kept quiet when they came back the day before, not wanting to worry him. But clearly, Mrs. Galvez couldn’t sit still and had decided to call Samuel, giving him an earful.
“Mom, let me explain,” Isabel said, stepping in.
She laid out the whole story for Samuel, whose face darkened as he listened, anger rising.
“I can’t believe it. After all these years, she’s still the same. She wants to punish you? Hannah, I’m so sorry you had to deal with this. And Isabel… this is all my fault. I’ve let you both down,” Samuel muttered, his voice thick with regret as his eyes started to water. “The others are living it up in luxury, and here you two are…”
“It’s fine, Dad. You’re kind–hearted. You don’t fight for things, and that’s why good things will come to you. From now on, we don’t need to care about them anymore!” Isabel reassured him, placing a hand on his arm.
“That’s right. I’ve lived a long time, and for once, I’ve stood up to the Galvez family. Feels good!” Hannah added with a grin, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the thought.
Just then, Samuel’s phone rang again. Hannah grabbed it, and sure enough, it was another call from Mrs. Galvez.
“It’s from the manor again.” Hannah sighed, handing the phone over to Samuel.
Samuel answered the call, and before he could even say a word, Mrs. Galvez’s shrill voice blared through the speaker. “Samuel, you’d better get Hannah and Isabel to come apologize, or you’ll regret it! Do you even see me as your mother anymore?”
“Enough!” Samuel’s voice rang out, cutting through the tension. “Isabel did nothing wrong. The one who’s in the wrong here is you. You’ve already kicked us out, so don’t bother calling me again.”
He slammed the phone down, immediately blocking her number.
“Good job, Dad. From now on, we need to stand our ground with these people,” Isabel said, offering him a reassuring smile.
“You’re right, Isabel.” Samuel nodded, the weight lifting from his shoulders. It should’ve been this way all along.
1/3
8:33 pm D
Chapter 19
The weather was gorgeous the next day, and Alex was carrying Blake around the yard, letting him enjoy the fresh air.
Blake glanced up at him, feeling a little awkward. “Alex, really, you’re doing too much.”
Alex grinned, waving it off. “No trouble at all. We’re family. Helping you out means I’m helping Isabel!” He gave Blake a chuckle.
But then, his smile faltered, and he looked down, troubled.
“I messed things up, Blake. Bill set me up with a job, and I blew it. Now I can’t even get to the construction site,” he mumbled. “All I do is sitting around the house, feeling useless. I can only handle the simple chores.”
“Alex, you’re a great guy. You really shouldn’t have said that.” Blake said, offering a warm smile. “The world is full of scheming and backstabbing, but you have a genuinely kind soul.”
Alex’s eyes lit up, and a grin spread across his face. “You mean it?”
“Sure thing.” Blake nodded, happy to see him so cheerful.
“I trust you, Blake.” Alex gave him a bright smile. “If you mean it, then it has to be true!”
Blake chuckled, unable to hold back a smile. Things weren’t perfect here, yet Blake couldn’t help but notice that he was starting to enjoy it. The clean air, the peaceful views, and the little vegetable garden outside–this place had a cozy, rustic
charm.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Hannah returned from the fields, her brow furrowed with worry.
“Alex, has Simon come home yet?” she asked, glancing around.
“Nope, haven’t seen him all day,” Alex answered.
“Simon… his temper’s all over the place. He ran off last night and still hasn’t come back.” Hannah’s voice was full of concern. She knew it was Sunday, so no one knew where he might’ve gone.
“Mom, let me go look for him,” Isabel said, stepping forward.
“Alright, but I won’t be able to relax until I know he’s safe,” Hannah sighed. “My heart has been twitching all day, like something’s about to go down.”
“Who does he usually hang out with?” Isabel asked, narrowing her eyes.
“I know! He’s tight with Andy from the Lester family. Those two are always together,” Alex popped up quickly.
“Got it. I’ll go check at the Lester’s house. Don’t worry, I’ll find him,” Isabel replied.
“Isabel!” Before she left the door, Blake called out suddenly.
Isabel turned, raising an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“Be careful on your way,” he said, his gaze softening.
“I will,” she replied with a reassuring smile before stepping out the door.
Blake sat in the doorway, watching her leave. He wished more than anything that he could get better fast so he could be by her side.
2/3
8:33 pm S
Chapter 19
Isabel went straight to the Lester’s house, spotting Andy sneaking out the back door. Without hesitation, she rushed over, cutting him off.
“Hey! Who are you?” Andy froze, looking at her like she was some kind of stranger.
“I’m Isabel, Simon’s sister. Now tell me–where is he?” Isabel asked, blocking his escape.
“I… I don’t know,” Andy stammered, looking nervous.
Isabel grabbed his wrist in a tight grip. “Take me to him, now.”
“Ouch! Hey, what are you doing? Let go!” Andy winced. “You’re hurting me!”
“Take me to Simon, or I’ll make it worse,” Isabel commanded.
“Okay, okay.” Andy begged. “Just be gentle! I never thought Simon’s sister would be so…”
Isabel gave him a sharp look and let him go. Andy immediately shut his mouth. He then led her to a cheap motel, the kind where 30 bucks would get one a night’s stay.
“He is right here,” Andy murmured, pointing to a door.
But before he could even finish, Isabel kicked the door open with a sharp bang. Both Andy and Simon in the room flinched.
Simon, especially, was in shock, thinking someone was after him. When he saw Isabel and Andy, his eyes went wide with surprise.
“Simon… Please don’t blame me. She made me do it. I couldn’t stop her!” Andy blurted out before bolting out of the room.
Isabel’s eyes immediately locked onto Simon, who was lying on the bed, bruises marking his arms and torso. He was wearing a tank top, and the injuries were glaringly obvious.
“What happened to you?” Isabel asked softly, but there was a clear edge of concern in her voice.
“It’s none of your business!” Simon snapped, glaring at her.
Isabel didn’t flinch. She marched over to him, grabbed him by the ear, and yanked him up.
“Ow! Let go! You can’t just grab my ear like that.” Simon yelped, “Not even my mom does this to me. Who do you think you
are?”
“So what? I’m your sister. That means I get to call you out and kick your butt when you act like an idiot.” Isabel shot him a sharp look. “Now, spill it. Why didn’t you come home? What are you doing hiding out here?”
3/3
AD
