Chapter 125

Verena's smile faded, her tone turning firm. "If she dares to confront me openly, let's see if she has the courage to claim she's Evelyn. Should she admt it,I'll tear off her mask myself. But if she hides behind vague hints, then I'll see if her real aim is me."

Noticing Miranda's worry, Verena softened her tone,lips curving slightly. "Relax. Other than the setbacks I've had with Isaac, there's no one left who can rattle me."

On the other end of the line, Miranda's brows knitted tighter, her unease far from soothed.

"Still," she cautioned, "you need to stay on guard.Your network is strong in Clokron, but in Shoildon,you don't have the same protection."

Verena chuckled. "Who says I'm unprotected here? Isn't Isaac still by my side?"

As dusk settled, one of the lobby elevators chimed,drawing Katelyn's attention instantly. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw who it was.

She quickly tucked her phone away and strode forward, her smile warm and expectant. "Isaac."

Jacob was the one wheeling lsaac out of the elevator. At the sound of Isaac's name being called,he instinctively slowed.

Katelyn's steps quickened, her expression glowing with affection. "Isaac, it's been so long.I hope you've been keeping well."

But Isaac's gaze remained fixed ahead, his face carved from stone, not sparing her even a glance.

"Jacob, did I tell you to stop?" Isaac's deep voice echoed.

Flustered by the reprimand, Jacob understood immediately and resumed pushing the wheelchair forward without another pause.

Katelyn had long grown accustomed to lsaac's indifference, and his cold shoulder didn't faze her.

"Hold on a second." She quickened her pace,stepping directly into his path.

The persistence grated on him. Isaac lifted his eyes with visible impatience, his tone sharp. "Miss Fuller,what exactly do you want?"

His words carried the same chill as his stare, and Katelyn's lips quivered before she forced a faint smile. "Isaac, you haven't changed-you're still as heartless as ever."

A hollow laugh slipped out, her voice softening as she added, "It's been years since we last saw each other.Don't worry, I'm not the reckless woman l used to be. I won't chase you anymore. But even if we couldn't be lovers, we were still childhood friends,weren't we?" She tried to tug on the past, but lsaac's response was merciless. "Are you finished?"

His hands tightened on the wheelchair wheels, ready to move forward at the slightest pause.

Helplessness flickered across her face, yet she still lowered her voice, almost pleading. "Isaac, please...don't shut me out completely."

His reply cut sharper than any blade. "Katelyn Fuller."

He used her full name, his tone cold and deliberate,the weight of formality striking against her casual familiarity.

"I have a wife," Isaac said flatly. "And given our past,keeping you at a distance isn't cruelty-it's common sense."

The sarcasm in his voice hit its mark, freezing her smile and leaving a hollow ache in her chest.

All her life, Katelyn had grown up believing she could claim anything she desired. Isaac was the single exception. Yet rejection only made her resolve harden-the more he resisted, the more determined she became to have him.

Katelyn steadied her breathing, forcing herself into a gentler tone. "I'm sure your mother already told you why I came. Isaac, I'm worried about your health.I've studied cases like yours for years-let me handle your treatment,please?"

Her voice lifted with urgency as she continued, "I swear I can get you walking again. You don't have to be afraid-I only want to heal your legs. I won't ask for anything in return, and I won't interfere in your marriage."

Those promises sounded sincere, but whether she meant them was a truth only Katelyn carried.

Isaac didn't blink. "So you sent my mother to plead for you," he said coolly. "Did she forget to mention that my wife is also a doctor-and she's the one treating me?"

His eyes hardened, his voice edged with ice."You claim you won't ask for anything in return. Do you really think the moment you ask, I'll simply hand it over?"

Katelyn had expected some trace of softness, a hint of courtesy for their shared past. Instead, his blunt rejection sliced through her like glass.

Her chest tightened, resentment flashing in her eyes at the way he spoke of his wife. He accepted someone like Verena, yet always turned her away.

Katelyn said nothing, but lsaac caught the flicker of dissatisfaction instantly.

"Katelyn," he said, his tone cold but deliberate, "we grew up together. You know me well-but I know you better. If you wanted nothing, you wouldn't be here waiting for hours, desperate to force a chance to speak."

The words cut too close to the truth, and panic flickered in her gaze before she could stop it.

Isaac leaned forward slightly, his voice steady and merciless. "Let's be clear. I love my wife. I will never give you hope. Don't waste your time scheming to drive a wedge between us. Even if Verena walked away from me tomorrow, I still wouldn't choose you.Do you understand?"

The words left his mouth like a cold truth, but the weight of them carried a warning as well.

Katelyn's jaw tightened, her smile stiff and brittle."Since you insist on being so blunt, then I'll stop pretending too. Fine, I still have feelings for you-that's why it kills me to see you like this. If you're so sure about your feelings, then why won't you accept my treatment? What are you afraid of?"

Isaac didn't hesitate. "'It's not fear. It's refusal."

He had no desire for entanglement with her, no wish to plant even the faintest shadow of insecurity in Verena's heart, and absolutely no interest in inviting misunderstandings into his marriage.

"Jacob. We're leaving."

At the order, Jacob pushed the wheelchair forward, guiding Isaac past Katelyn without pause.

Her hands balled into fists, fury spilling out as she shouted after him, "Isaac! Are you really going to let your stubborn pride trap you in that chair for the rest of your life?"

The words hit the air like a slap. Jacob's grip faltered,his body stiffening. He wanted to look at Isaac's face,but from his position behind the chair, he couldn't see the storm gathering there.

Across the lobby, both receptionists froze,exchanging wide-eyed glances. Ever since Isaac had been confined to a wheelchair, Danica had strictly forbidden anyone from uttering such words. Yet here was Katelyn, bold enough to fling them straight at him.

Seeing that Jacob had stopped pushing the wheelchair, Katelyn stepped closer, her voice sharp and unrelenting. "Face it, Isaac-no one but me can save your legs. You're clinging to hope in your wife,but think about it. She's just a medical student from Pine Hill University. Every doctor you've sought before her came from prestigious institutions, world-class specialists with reputations that eclipse hers."

She pressed harder, her tone cutting. "If doctors from the top of their field couldn't cure you, what makes you think Verena possibly could?"

Isaac didn't bother addressingher long-winded claims. He latched onto the last line, pivoting his chair toward her.11SO1according to you， she can＇t一but you can?"

The sudden glance from him made Katelyn's pulse race. Convinced she'd finally broken through, she fought to keep the excitement off her face and nodded eagerly. "Yes. I can. I'm more qualified than any of those so-called specialists."

But before her anticipation could take root, lsaac gave a low, humorless laugh. "That's nothing more than your delusion."

His voice cut like ice. Turning away, he wheeled himself forward without another word, leaving her staring at his back as it grew smaller in the distance.