After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 248 Isabel's Regret At that moment, Isabel was jolted back to reality.

"Xander! No, stop!" Her shout was sharp enough to freeze him in his tracks.

That was close! If I hesitated even a second longer, I might have been completely powerless in his grip today.

Xander's expression was tight, his brow furrowed with beads of sweat. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his gaze heavy and intense as he locked eyes with Isabel, as if she were his only focus in the world.

In that instant, he resembled a man starved for days, finally given a meal, only to be denied it at the last second.

It was clear how much effort he was using to hold himself back.

Any other man in his position, faced with someone they cared about, might have lost control by now.

Xander's face had taken on a pale, bruised look-dark purple and red blotches clinging to his skin, like a balloon stretched to its breaking point, ready to pop.

"Isabel... am I really that bad?" His voice was raspy, as though every word pained him, the sound deep and raw, like a man wandering the desert, parched and desperate for water. The pitiful groan tugged at Isabel's heartstrings, nearly breaking her resolve, reminding her of that stormy night. Isabel knew he was kind to her-extraordinarily so. The more kindness he showed, the more she found herself on edge. She wasn't even sure about her own feelings anymore. Maybe I have developed a slight crush on him, but is it genuine love, or just fleeting attraction? I can't give in to impulse, because if I later realize that my feelings aren't what I thought, I won't be the type to force a relationship.

And if I walk away afterward, won't that makenothing more than a heartless woman who used someone and discarded them once they are no longer useful? I already regret what happened that rainy night.

At least, the man has forgotten about it, lost in a feverish haze. If not, I don't know what I would've done.

"You're not bad... it's just that I ... I can't feel for you the way you feel for me," Isabel said softly, her voice quiet but resolute, furrowing her brows.

"I don't mind. As long as you'll stay by my side, that's all I need." Could he really not mind? Anyone else would. How could Xander not? But love wasn't about forcing someone into something. If Isabel didn't feel the same, what could he do? It reminded him of his past, when countless wealthy women had tried to win him over, changing themselves for him, showering him with praise and adoration. Yet, he had felt nothing for them.

Did that mean he was obligated to return their feelings just because they liked him? Did not reciprocating someone's feelings make him a bad person? There was no such rule.

Putting himself in Isabel's shoe, he could understand her position. But he was resolute.

I have decided-Isabel is mine, and no one will take her from me.

Even if she never loves me, she will still belong to me.

Callselfish, callpossessive, I don't care.

As long as Isabel stays by my side...

"But... I... I'm still not sure. I can't agree to anything yet," Isabel hesitated, her eyes shifting between Xander and herself.

Uh...

Can't he at least remove his hands from my legs? Does he think I have no dignity? Xander noticed her unease and glanced at his hands, realizing what he was doing.

"Xander!" Isabel's face flushed red, her teeth clenched as she called his nin irritation.

His boldness was more irritating than the thickest walls-no, more than the most impenetrable fortress! With reluctance, Xander withdrew his hands and lowered her legs, draping a towel over her.

His face showed clear disappointment as he did so.

Isabel saw the look in his eyes and couldn't help but force a smile, one that felt more like a tight grimace.

I should have known better than to come. I've been wondering if Yvette has already been taken advantage of by Max, and now I find myself in a similar situation.

I'm not like Yvette, though. Yvette has no hidden agendas, no hesitations...

"Change into a different swimsuit," Xander said as he got out of the pool.

Isabel blinked. Although she regretted being here and nearly losing control, now that she was already here, it seemed a waste not to swim.

In the end, she picked a swimsuit that was more modest, covering her body more than her previous choice had. After all, no matter how revealing the swimsuit, it was still better than being nearly naked like before.

Tpassed quickly, and soon the New Year approached.

While the Bennett Group was preparing for their annual party, Kaleb's company was also organizing theirs.

By coincidence, both events were to be held at the shotel.

Johnson Group was on the first floor, while Bennett Group was on the second.

"Where are you?" Xander called Isabel.

"I'm almost there," Isabel said, just stepping out of the taxi.

"I'll cdown to meet you." "You're busy, right? Leo toldyou had a lot to do today. I'm already at the hotel entrance, just need to go up. Even a child could find their way here." Isabel had agreed to attend the Bennett Group's party for two reasons: First, Xander had invited

her, and second, she hadn't been to such a lively event in ages. With nothingng else to do, she figured it would be a good opportunity to unwind. Plus, there would be food-who could resist that? As she thought this, a familiar voice cfrom behind her.

"It's been a while. How have you been?" The moment Isabel heard the voice, an involuntary wave of disgust surged through her.

She turned around to face Kaleb, who was dressed sharply in a suit, and replied coldly, "I've been great, living my best life!" Kaleb could tell from her tone that her words were laced with sarcasm, a subtle jab at the unhappiness she had felt during their ttogether.

"Isabel?" A girl standing next to Kaleb gave Isabel a once-over. She was Cindy Johnson, Kaleb's younger sister.

She had been studying abroad for over a year and hadn't returned until now, focused on her graduate exams. "It's been over a year, and you've really changed." Isabel's face was the same, but her clothes, her hair, and her entire presence felt different. She now radiated confidence and an air of mystery, like a puzzle people were dying to solve.

Is this really Isabel? The shy, timid girl who used to let people walk all over her?

Isabel glanced down at Cindy's chest and said, "It's been over a year, and you're still as flat as a board. No changes at all." "How dare you... Say that again!" Cindy was incredibly sensitive about her chest, and anyone who brought it up made her uncomfortable.

She hadn't expected Isabel to call her out like that, especially in a public setting with so many people around.