The Invisible Wife Turned Savage novel Chapter 245

245 A Calculated Proposal

Isabelle’s thoughts were a tangle of contradictions.

Estella’s words came back to her–why not use the Monroe family’s influence to build something of her own?

For the first time, regret crept in. She had wasted too much time on frivolous pleasures. If she had proven herself capable, would her parents and Nathaniel treat her differently?

But weren’t her parents partly to blame?

They had raised her and Isaac so differently.

Isaac had been held to strict standards since childhood, groomed for business, instilled with the belief that his life must be devoted to the family enterprise.

She, on the other hand, had been indulged. They let her do as she pleased, dressed it up as affection, but that freedom came at a cost.

All she had learned was how to spend money and play. Aside from piano, which her family showed off at parties, she had no skills to stand on.

Her parents had told her she was a princess. Before marriage, she could depend on her family; after marriage, she would depend on her husband.

But what if her brother and her husband refused to support her?

She didn’t dare think further.

Maybe it was time to change herself, starting now.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Annoyed, Isabelle called out for the visitor to enter.

To her surprise, it was Nathaniel, carrying a bouquet of roses.

Isabelle’s eyes widened.

“Isabelle, I’ve been so busy. When I heard about what happened, I couldn’t come right away. You’re not upset with me, are you?”

She stared at him, dumbfounded.

She had thought that losing the baby, failing to secure the Chunk family project, and being weighed down by scandal would make him drift further from her.

But here he was.

Emotion welled up inside her, and her eyes grew wet.

Yes, they were childhood sweethearts, each other’s first love.

No matter the quarrels and misunderstandings, perhaps they were never meant to separate.

“Why are you crying?”

Nathaniel stepped forward and wiped her tears.

“The baby’s gone, Nathaniel. It’s gone. Will you still want me?”

Nathaniel patted her head. “Silly girl. I’m not marrying you for the baby.”

He gently kissed her bandaged hand. “I’ve wrapped up work. For the next few days, I’ll be here to look after you. Isabelle, I’ve made up my mind.”

From his pocket, he pulled a small box and flipped it open. Inside gleamed a diamond ring.

Isabelle gasped.

Joy and disbelief surged through her.

“Nathaniel…”

She had always thought she was forcing him into marriage. She never imagined he would propose of his own accord.

“Marry me, Isabelle,” Nathaniel said, his expression full of devotion.

But in his heart, it was nothing but calculation.

Isaac was about to marry the Jean family’s daughter. The Jean family’s landholdings were worth a fortune.

Nathaniel had to marry Isabelle quickly if he wanted a share of that wealth.

Estella was still the woman carved into his heart, the one he could never erase. He would reclaim her one day.

But for now, he would squeeze every drop of value from Isabelle.

She was at her most fragile—and easiest to control.

As long as she believed he loved her, she would hand him everything.

Crying and laughing at once, Isabelle slipped the ring onto her finger.

She threw her arms around him. “Nathaniel, when will we get married?”

“After the New Year, we’ll start planning,” he replied.

They had to marry before Isaac did.

Isabelle nodded eagerly.

The overwhelming happiness made her forget her earlier resolve.

2/3

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify