Isla and Gabriel drive to Wyndham Hospital in heavy silence, each grappling with the shock of Sir Alfred Wyndham’s sudden coma. Isla feels a deep anxiety, as Sir Alfred had been a kind and supportive figure in her life, someone she trusted completely. Gabriel, meanwhile, struggles to understand how someone so strong could fall unconscious so quickly, his tension barely contained.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they are met with a tense atmosphere as the Wyndham family gathers anxiously. Gabriel seeks out his father near the ICU, while Isla finds some comfort in Landon’s calm presence. Their brief exchange brings a moment of relief amid the fear, though it also draws attention and subtle hostility from others like Mia and Wyatt.
The seriousness of the situation deepens when Landon explains that Sir Alfred was found collapsed in his study and is now undergoing tests. Isla silently prays for her grandfather’s recovery. The mood shifts again when Delphine enters, dramatically grieving alongside Sia, whose tears seem insincere. Isla’s slight smile at their overacting sparks a confrontation with Delphine, who accuses her of laughing at the tragedy.
Delphine’s harsh words shock Isla and cause a ripple of judgment among the family. Even Gabriel’s expression shows confusion and doubt, leaving Isla to wonder if he might believe the accusation that she is callous toward Sir Alfred’s condition. The chapter ends on this tense, uncertain note, highlighting Isla’s isolation amid the family crisis.
The drive to Wyndham Hospital seemed to stretch on endlessly, each mile passing in a heavy silence that settled over the car like a thick fog. Isla and Gabriel sat side by side, each lost in their own turbulent thoughts, the weight of the news pressing down on them.
For Isla, every ticking second only deepened the knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. Sir Alfred Wyndham had always been a beacon of kindness in her life—a steady, unwavering presence who had supported her and believed wholeheartedly in her marriage to Gabriel. More than just family, he was someone she trusted with her whole heart, a rare soul who never judged or doubted her. Now, the news that he lay in a coma felt like a cruel and bitter twist of fate. Her breathing grew shallow, and she gripped her hands tightly, trying desperately to stop the tremors that betrayed her fear.
Gabriel, sitting rigidly beside her, wore a mask of controlled tension. His jaw was clenched so tightly it looked as if it might crack. The news simply didn’t add up in his mind. Just yesterday, Sir Alfred had been full of life, vibrant and healthy—how could someone so strong be reduced to unconsciousness overnight? The thought gnawed at him, leaving him restless and helpless in a way he couldn’t easily explain or shake off.
When their car finally came to a stop outside the hospital, one of Gabriel’s bodyguards swiftly stepped out from a nearby vehicle and moved to open the door for them. Gabriel turned toward Isla, extending his hand in the familiar, comforting gesture he always used. She placed her palm in his, and as she stepped out, his hand moved protectively to the small of her back, guiding her gently but firmly toward the hospital entrance.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The Wyndham family had taken over the private floor, and the hallway buzzed with low, anxious murmurs and hurried footsteps. Isla could feel the collective worry pressing down on her, a tangible weight that settled heavily on her heart.
Gabriel’s eyes immediately sought out his father, who was pacing back and forth near the double doors of the intensive care unit. His face was pale, his eyes rimmed with exhaustion and grief. Without a word, Gabriel quickened his pace to join him.
Isla’s gaze drifted until it landed on Landon. A wave of relief washed over her at the sight of him. Among all the restless figures in the corridor, Landon was the one person she felt she could approach without hesitation. She moved toward him slowly, and when their eyes met, his expression softened instantly.
His shoulders eased, and a small, reassuring smile curved his lips. “Isla,” he said quietly, his voice calm and steady, carrying a warmth that seemed to wrap around her like a comforting blanket. In that moment, she felt less alone in her fear.
That look on Landon’s face eased some of the tightness coiling in her chest. Without thinking, she gave a faint, grateful smile in return. For a brief, precious moment amid the heavy dread filling the corridor, it felt as though she could finally breathe.
Mia, standing nearby, noticed the subtle shift in her husband’s demeanor. She was stunned—Isla seemed to have a strange, almost magical effect on Landon.
“Spitfire,” Landon teased softly, causing several heads to turn toward them.
Isla blinked in surprise. She couldn’t believe he was joking at a time like this.
“Really, Landon?” she whispered, half scolding. “How can you joke when everything’s so serious?”
He just grinned, unfazed. “Maybe it’s because you’re finally here. Your presence has lightened the mood.”
A few people exchanged glances, and Mia’s expression immediately hardened. She wasn’t the only one glaring at Isla now—Wyatt’s eyes were sharp and cold, too. But Isla didn’t meet their stares. She held herself steady. Alfred Wyndham might no longer be here to defend her, but her husband was, and so was his brother. That thought alone gave her heart a steady beat.
“So, what exactly happened to him?” Isla asked quietly, her voice growing serious.
Did he… believe her?
The heavy silence that enveloped Isla and Gabriel mirrored the storm of emotions raging within them, highlighting the fragile nature of hope and fear. Isla’s quiet strength in the face of sorrow, paired with Gabriel’s restrained anguish, painted a poignant picture of love tested by uncertainty. Their shared pain and the presence of those around them underscored the deep connections that bind family, even amid tension and misunderstanding.
In this moment of crisis, the delicate balance between grief and resilience became clear. Isla’s inner turmoil, the weight of others’ judgments, and the flicker of doubt in Gabriel’s eyes all spoke to the complexity of human emotion when confronted with loss. Yet, beneath the surface, there remained a steadfast pulse of hope—a belief that love and truth could ultimately prevail, even in the darkest hours.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile dynamics within the Wyndham family as the tension surrounding Sir Alfred’s condition intensifies. Isla finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions—not only grappling with her own fears but also facing the unexpected coldness and suspicion from those around her. The sharp confrontation with Delphine hints at simmering resentments and misunderstandings that could threaten to unravel the fragile bonds holding everyone together. Readers will be drawn into the complex interplay of loyalty, grief, and distrust, wondering how Isla will navigate these stormy waters.
Meanwhile, Gabriel’s internal struggle becomes more apparent, as the flicker of doubt in his eyes raises questions about his faith in Isla at a moment when unity is most needed. The emotional stakes are high, and the undercurrents of tension between family members suggest that not all battles will be fought in hospital corridors. As secrets and unspoken feelings bubble beneath the surface, the story sets the stage for revelations that could change relationships forever. The next chapter will surely keep readers on edge, eager to see how Isla and Gabriel confront these challenges both together and apart.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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