When the Dead Still Call novel Chapter 326

326 /420

Chapter 326: Meeting Isabel

Emery quickly broke the silence again, her voice gentle but earnest. “Could you sit down and talk with me for a bit? I promise I won’t keep you long. I have plans to meet some friends later anyway.”

She hoped Isabel would agree to stay, but didn’t want to come across as too eager or desperate, so she added the reason for her own impending departure right away.

After a moment, Isabel seemed to relax and nodded. With a graceful movement, she pulled out a chair and settled into it quietly.

Seeing Isabel finally sit down, Emery dropped the casual small talk and got straight to the heart of the matter.

“Isabel, you’ve seen all the things floating around online these past couple of days, haven’t you?” Emery asked, her tone careful but direct.

She didn’t believe Isabel was unaware of the situation. Isabel’s polite nature probably just kept her from bringing it up herself.

Isabel nodded calmly. “Yes, it’s been quite a storm. But please don’t worry too much, Mrs. Nygard. Give it a few days, and things will settle down.”

Emery smiled faintly at Isabel’s reassuring words, though a subtle sadness crept into her expression as she exhaled softly.

“It’s Marcelo’s loss, really. He couldn’t appreciate a good woman like you. Your decision to end the engagement wasn’t just because you didn’t click with him, was it?”

Isabel met Emery’s gaze steadily. “Mrs. Nygard, that’s all behind me now.”

Emery hesitated, embarrassed to ask, but the recent online chaos made her curiosity impossible to ignore.

“I’ve been hesitant to bring this up, but after everything that’s happened, I just can’t help but ask. Isabel, I’ve always felt like you were part of my family. Could you tell me—was there something else going on?”

Isabel paused briefly, her eyes reflecting a mix of hesitation and resolve. Then, as if deciding to be completely honest, she spoke.

“Alright. Since you asked, I’ll be straightforward.”

“The real reason I ended things with Marcelo wasn’t just what everyone thinks.”

“At first, Marcelo and I got along wonderfully. I genuinely liked him. It wasn’t some family-arranged thing, and he felt the same way about me.”

“But every time we were together, Gianna would somehow get involved. She always stirred up trouble.”

Isabel’s voice grew quieter as she recalled the memories. “Whenever we went out to eat, just the two of us, she’d find a way to call Marcelo back. It was always something—stomachache, a fall, a bruise—some excuse every single time.”