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 make me nothing 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.

stay by my side,

mind? Anyone

If Isabel didn't

reminded him of his past, when countless wealthy women had tried to win him over, changing themselves for him, showering

to return their feelings just because

reciprocating someone's feelings make him

no

could understand her position. But he was

and no one will take her

she never loves me, she will still belong

me selfish, call me possessive,

long as Isabel stays by

to anything yet," Isabel hesitated,

Uh...

he at least remove his

he think I

unease and glanced at

clenched as she called his

more irritating than the thickest walls-no, more than the

reluctance, Xander withdrew his hands and lowered her legs, draping a

disappointment as he did

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

should have known better than

Yvette has already been taken advantage of by Max, and

Yvette has no

said as he got out of

losing control, now that she was already here,

picked a swimsuit that was more modest, covering her body more than her previous

the swimsuit, it

quickly, and soon the New Year

for their annual party, Kaleb's company was

both events were to be held at

was on the first floor, while

are you?"