Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 182

Tyler's harsh words had already frightened Bella to tears.

But even as Bella sobbed softly in the back seat, Tyler kept driving, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

"Stop the car!" Emilia snapped, her voice sharp with urgency.

Tyler ignored her, his gaze fixed on the road.

"Tyler!" she shouted again.

By now, Emilia had gathered Bella into her arms, gently rubbing her back, trying to soothe her trembling little body.

"Tyler, Bella has a congenital heart condition," Emilia pleaded, her eyes rimmed red. "Are you trying to kill her?"

She'd already lost two children. There was no way she would let anything happen to Bella.

Tyler's eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror. Sure enough, Bella was crying, her face crumpled with fear.

His lips pressed into a thin line. Reluctantly, he slowed down, pulling the car to the side of the road.

In the mirror, he caught sight of Emilia's anguished expression. His hands tightened on the steering wheel, tension radiating through his arms.

Emilia didn't waste another word. She unbuckled Bella, carried her out of the car, and stepped onto the curb.

Regret washed over her. She never should have let Tyler pressure her into bringing Bella along. If she'd stood her ground, Bella wouldn't be so terrified right now.

"Emilia!" Tyler called after her, desperation in his voice.

But Emilia didn't look back. She hailed a cab and climbed in with Bella, instructing the driver to take them straight to Alden General Hospital.

Tyler, undeterred, followed at a distance in his sleek black car.

Emilia caught sight of his Maybach in the cab's rearview mirror, anger simmering beneath her exhaustion—anger at Tyler, and at herself.

Cradling Bella in her lap, she stroked the girl's back with gentle, rhythmic motions.

"Bella, sweetheart, how are you feeling? Are you in any pain?" Emilia asked softly, her worry etched deep in her voice.

Bella wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

"I'm okay, Miss Emilia," she whispered, shaking her head.

"If you feel unwell, promise me you'll tell me right away," Emilia said, brushing Bella's hair from her face.

Tyler had no rebuttal. They stood there, staring each other down, the silence thick between them.

They'd been like this since the last time they saw each other—unable to move forward, unable to let go. For Tyler, it was a helpless feeling.

A cool breeze swept through the hospital entrance. Finally, Tyler broke the silence.

"Emilia, what's going on between you and Christian?"

Exhausted, Emilia closed her eyes for a moment.

"There's nothing between us," she said quietly. "I thought you'd already seen the official statement online."

She knew Jensen would have reported everything to Tyler. There was no reason for him to come here and make things worse.

She'd already made her feelings clear—refusing his calls, ignoring his messages, turning him away at Lunar Manor.

A short distance away, Bella lingered with Felix in the lobby, peeking around a corner to watch Emilia and Tyler.

Emilia had no desire to argue any longer. She turned to leave.

"Wait." Tyler reached out, catching Emilia's hand. "There's something else I need to ask you."