After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 253 What the Hell?! Isabel, It's You?!

Oh no! Isabel sucked in a sharp breath, her widened eyes fixed on the shiny leather shoe that had suddenly intruded into her hiding space.

The polished leather and sleek design immediately gave her a clear idea of who owned this shoe. She recognized it in an instant.

Gulp. Isabel swallowed nervously, staying motionless as she remained crouched under the table. She strained her ears to catch the conversation happening above her, silently praying they'd leave soon. Staying in this cramped position was torturous, not just for her but also for the babies in her belly.

"Richard, when you have time, come visit me at my place," Ivana said. As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward the kitchen. She had been to Richard's house twice now, and neither time had she seen any household staff. It was clear that Richard lived alone, cooking and managing everything by himself.

He was such a thoughtful and independent young man-his self-sufficiency made her heart ache for him.

Why are they still talking? Isabel was growing anxious. Her legs were starting to go numb.

Ordinarily, she could endure far worse. Even though her current physical fitness couldn't compare to what it was in her past life, her endurance had been ingrained in her soul through countless trials.

But this was different. She wasn't just looking out for herself anymore; the babies in her belly made her situation far more complicated.

Sweat slowly trickled down from Isabel's temple as her discomfort grew.

Are they seriously planning to stay for dinner? she worried. What if they start cooking here?

Just as Isabel's head began to ache from overthinking, Xander's sharp gaze flicked toward the vegetables on the table.

Did Richard buy all this food? he wondered.

Ivana noticed it too. "Richard, were you planning to cook for yourself?"

Richard's brows furrowed slightly at the question. Isabel was still hiding under the table, and if this conversation continued, he was afraid she wouldn't last much longer.

"Yes, I've always cooked for myself," he replied.

He needed to come up with a good excuse to get Ivana and the others to leave.

But what excuse could he use?

Ivana stood up suddenly, grabbing the groceries from the table. Looking at Richard, she said, "Forget cooking tonight. I will make dinner for you instead."

Richard blurted out in

Isabel cursed internally,

to cook? When you and Leslie were kids, you two often came over to my house. Leslie especially loved my

preoccupied, trying to figure out how to politely but

I'll help you," Samuel said, standing

you can be my sous chef." Ivana handed the

and faster. Are they treating this

Yolkie strutting

look exactly like the

to the dog. Isabel,

she watched Yolkie slowly approach. Don't come over here. Please, for the love

scanning him from head to tail. The resemblance wasn't just striking-it was

wondered. When Isabel said she was giving Yolkie to a friend, was she talking about Richard? But that didn't make sense. Their relationship wasn't supposed to be

was probably just a dog

down and studied Yolkie for a few seconds before muttering, "It really does

his head

"Wait, what?" Samuel blinked.

for a moment before calling out

Yolkie jumped up excitedly, his tail wagging

type to wag his tail for just anyone. But he had seen Samuel

both Samuel and

head to look at Richard. "Is his name

back to when Isabel had dropped Yolkie off, explaining that Xander was allergic to dogs, so she was temporarily leaving him in Richard's

finish crafting his excuse, Yolkie

dove underneath her, showering Isabel with enthusiastic licks and nuzzles, its tail whipping back and forth with the joyous abandon of a conductor leading a symphony. "Shoo, shoo!"

pair of eyes in the room turned

no time. He grabbed the tablecloth

Samuel exclaimed, unable to contain himself. "Isabel?!

sound from under the

enough-it

was Isabel hiding under

Why was she even here in the

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