Chapter 66

Andres smiled at Verena. "Please allow me to go in and announce your arrival, Miss Willis."

Verena gave a slight nod. "I appreciate your help."

Andres turned, entered the house, and went upstairs,halting before lsaac's door.

He knocked twice-silence answered.

He knocked again, yet the room remained still.

Just as he raised his hand to try once more, a voice,cold as steel in winter, cut through the silence. "Who is it?"

The words were few, but the chill in them pierced like ice.

Andres instantly sensed Isaac's fou mood.

With due respect, Andres answered, "Mr. Bennett,Miss Verena Willis is here to see you. She's at the gates. Shall I invite her in?"

Verena?

She was at the gates?

Isaac's head, which had been bowed low, suddenly lifted, his gaze locking on the closed door before him.

He had spent the whole day in that room, doing nothing but staring at his crippled state.

When Verena's name was mentioned, his heart thundered, and then clenched painfully as if gripped by an unseen fist.

At that moment, he understood his feelings with painful clarity.

He liked Verena-and he knew she felt something for him,too.

Yet he also knew that no emotion ever sprang up without roots.

He admired her character, treasured the way shetreated him differently from how others did to him.

He liked her gentle, intelligent manner, the kind that drew admiration wherever she went.

But what about him? What reason could she possibly have to love him?

He was a man bound to the wheelchair,shackled by personal challenges. What could she see in him besides his name and background?

It wasn't that lsaac lacked self-respect; it was that her sudden affection felt too abrupt, too fragile.

If his legs could ever be healed, he would not mind her initial intentions.

But that hope was a distant star-barely within sight.

What right did he have to expect Verena to stay with him for a lifetime?

The weight on his chest felt like a millstone,suffocating him with every breath.

He lowered his head again, eyes shimmering faintly, his throat swollen with unshed words, each one painful to release. "Tell her I'm already asleep."

Andres caught the strange note in lsaac's voice.Though he longed to persuade him, experience told him not to meddle.

So he simply nodded. "Got it, Mr. Bennett. I'll inform Miss Willis right away."

As Andres' footsteps retreated, Isaac closed his eyes, battling the storm of bitterness within.

His hands, resting on his useless legs, slowly curled into fists.

They trembled under the strain, veins rising against the skin.

After a long struggle, he resisted the burning urge to call Andres back and let Verena in.

Before Andres could head downstairs with the message, Bobby appeared and blocked his way.

Andres turned, puzzled. "Mr. Bennett, what can I do for you?" Moments earlier, Bobby had been on the phone with Slater. Heading for water, he had spotted Andres outside his brother's door.

He had approached, overheard their exchange, and quickly muttered to Slater, "Something urgent has come up-we'll talk later."

He had cut the line without waiting for an answer.

Stopping Andres, Bobby threw a glance at lsaac's firmly closed door before asking quietly, "Is Verena outside?"

Although uncertain why Bobby brought her up,Andres nodded honestly. "Yes, she is."

Bobby broke into a sly grin. So Isaac had finally seen Verena's true colors.

"My brother's clearly awake, yet he tells you to say he's asleep. Do you know what that means? It means he's tired of her and doesn't wish to see her. Unless absolutely necessary, he won't even give her the time of day. That's why he made up an excuse to avoid her." Wearing mock regret, Bobby leaned closer and whispered, "Just go to the gates and tell V/erena straight out that my brother doesn't want to see her,and she should leave."

Andres frowned. Something about Bobby's reasoning felt wrong.

He hesitated. "Mr. Bennett, isn't that a little improper?"

"What's improper about it?" Bobby clicked his tongue. "Andres, you're old enough to know when to adapt."

Seeing Andres still uneasy, Bobby thumped his chest confidently. "Just do as I say. If anything comes of it,I'll take responsibility."

Andres finally yielded. "Alright. I'll follow your instructions, Mr. Bennett."

As Andres walked downstairs, Bobby whistled lightly and strolled back into his room.

Outside, Andres bowed slightly and, as Bobby had ordered, told Verena, "I'm sorry, Miss Willis. Mr.Bennett said he doesn't want to see you. Please leave."

Verena's eyes narrowed. She didn't believe Isaac had uttered those words.

Then again... perhaps he had. Isaac was not one to speak harshly, but in a moment of despair, he might say those words to turn her away.

She remembered the hoarseness in his voice that day on the phone, and a sharp sting pricked her nose.

Blinking, she steadied herself and looked at Andres."Forgive me, but I must intrude."

She slipped past him and dashed into the house.

As she passed, Andres heard her murmur, "I want to hear lsaac say it himself."

Still stunned, Andres watched her pause midway and ask, "By the way, which room is Isaac's?"

Faced with her resolve, he recalled Isaac's strained tone and pointed upstairs. "The room at the far left on the second floor."

Verena smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

She hurried upstairs and found the room.

Knocking firmly, she called, "Isaac, open the door!"

Inside, Isaac's spine went rigid, but he made no move, thinking his ears deceived him.

"I'm Verena, Isaac. Open the door." Her voice was muffled by the heavy wood, but it carried through.

Slowly, Isaac lifted his head, eyes fixed on the sliver of light beneath the door, as if confirming reality.

His room was dark, and the faint glow outside cast a small shadow.

Verena was truly there.

She was at his door.

Isaac dropped his gaze again and said nothing.

Verena, realizing his deliberate stillness, spoke firmly. "lsaac, have you forgotten everything we talked about? Just because you face difficulties, you retreat? You think by shutting me out, I'll simply give up?"

Isaac's eyes stayed locked on the faint shadow beneath the door. He longed to tell her to leave,yet his throat closed with emotion.

Before her, he could not summon a single harsh word.

Verena stood before the sealed door, her gaze steady, her tone unwavering.

"Listen to me, Isaac. I've already committed myself to you. If you won't open this door, then I'll wait right here.I can outlast you, no matter how long it takes."