Xo Novel
Chapter 823
Chapter 823
Isaac had been silent for what felt like an eternity.
The doors of the operating room swung open.
Hannah rushed forward; her face etched with worry. “Doctor, how is she?”
“The surgery on Ms. Dustin’s face went well, but the need for reconstructive surgery depends on how the wound heals,” the doctor explained, pausing briefly. “Ms. Dustin is in shock and has lost a lot of blood. She hasn’t regained consciousness yet.”
Tears instantly flooded Hannah’s eyes. She thanked the doctor profusely, her gratitude conveyed in her gestures.
Isaac stood a short distance away, his body rigid to the extreme.
Brittany was moved to a VIP hospital room, and Hannah remained by her side, unwavering.
Derek felt a pang of jealousy, but there was nothing he could do-after all, Brittany was his cousin. He contacted Nathan to bring some fresh clothes for her.
All the while, Isaac remained silent, prompting Derek to sense that something was off.
“Zac, can you come outside for a sec?” said Derek.
Isaac followed Derek out of the hospital room. Once they were alone, Derek pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offering one to Isaac and lighting up another for himself. “Did you know anything about what Joie did?” he asked through a haze of smoke.
Isaac took the cigarette but didn’t light it. He had quit smoking completely ever since Brittany came back into his life.
“I had no idea,” Isaac said hoarsely.
If he had known, Joie would never have enjoyed so many good years.
Derek sighed deeply, understanding Isaac’s distress. “Zac, I always found it odd-Joie claimed to have saved your life, but she’s been throwing her weight around because of her ties with the Salter family. Can someone like that really be the same girl from back then?”
Derek never liked Joie-she had a bad reputation, an obsession with Isaac, and a consistent targeting of Brittany. NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.
With a gravelly voice, Isaac insisted, “I checked, I made sure that it was her.”
Derek shrugged, “Seems like she’s changed a lot over the years.”
Isaac, looking into the hospital room at the sleeping Brittany, remained silent for a long while.
“We’ve got the video; Jole’s really done herself in this time” Derek said, unable to fathom what Joie was thinking. Not only did she resort to violence, but she also live-streamed it, effectively painting herself into a corner.
“We’ll put pressure on the police; I want her to pay for this!”
Isaac was filled with regret. If he had known that reconnecting with Joie would bring Brittany such harm, he would never have sought her out.
Brittany woke up the next day, her right cheek burning with pain.
Her body felt like it had been disassembled and put back together, sore and aching all over.
Upon seeing Brittany awake, Hannah embraced her, crying hot tears. “Bri, you’re finally awake!”
Brittany felt weak and sensed Hannah’s sadness, her own eyes reddening.
She tried to speak, but no sound came out.
Just then, the door to the room burst open.
Isaac stormed in, his eyes bloodshot and intimidating.
Derek entered the room, pulling Hannah aside to give them some privacy. “Give them a moment,” he said gently.
Hannah, wiping away her tears, did not resist.
The room fell silent as Isaac, almost mechanically, moved to the bedside and sat down.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Brittany shook her head, instinctively reaching up to touch her face. “Is my face… okay?”
“Don’t move,” Isaac said firmly, holding her hand down. “The doctor said it looks promising. Don’t touch it; we’ll see how it heals over time.”
“And Joie?”
“She’s at the police station.”
Isaac was consumed with guilt. “I’m sorry I didn’t take better care of you.”
Whether it was five years ago or now, Brittany had suffered because of Joie.
Brittany felt his remorse and weakly lifted her hand. “It’s okay.”
Isaac, fearing that Brittany might encounter further harm, remained close by her side from the moment she woke up.
He called for the doctors, who rushed in to conduct a thorough examination of Brittany.
Nathan walked in through the door, pushing it open.