Twisted Ties of Love

If Izabella wanted to fool him, to say that she didn't remember Ryker or had forgotten about him, he'd totally buy it, hook, line, and sinker.

But Izabella didn't do that. She straight up told him the truth that she couldn't forget Ryker.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

No one could know how scared Casey was at that time. He was a bundle of nerves, his jealousy was running wild and added to the adrenaline rush from the fight. He just couldn't keep a lid on his emotions. Casey was afraid to face Izabella again. His sarcastic quips might wear down her patience, and she might give him the boot for good.

Wiping away his tears, Casey immediately regretted his question after he had asked it. Comparing himself, a substitute, to the real deal and asking Izabella to make a choice, he was basically painting himself into a corner.

He was scared to death of hearing Izabella reject him. He shoved the picture into Izabella's hands, saying, "You don't have to answer to that question. I'm sorry I've put you in a tight spot. I need to cool down." With that, Casey turned on his heels and left. Izabella clutched the picture in her hand, watching his hasty retreat. She couldn't even call out to stop him.

They were both all over the place at that point. They really shouldn't be together. Izabella thought to herself, with a touch of self-mockery, that she initially wanted Casey to keep her company that day. Izabella was a complete mess as she was having a hard time coming to a decision. She was torn between missing Ryker and holding onto Casey. If she had to completely forget Ryker to be with Casey, should she distance herself from Casey?

She screwed up. Maybe she shouldn't have gotten close to Casey in the first place so he wouldn't have to be upset.

Looking at the old picture in her hand, Ryker in the photo had a big smile, much like Casey's.

A tear fell onto the picture. Izabella gently wiped it off.

She choked out, "Ryker, I met someone. He looks a lot like you, but he's not you. He also bribes me with candy. I'm not allergic to the strawberry filling in the donuts anymore. I miss you a bit."

Even if she somehow forgot about Ryker, who would forget that kid who bribed her with donuts, carried her home on his back, and gave her all the cookies in the orphanage when they grew up? From childhood to adulthood, even if she was a bit slow, Ryker never forgot about her. How could she forget him and let someone else replace him?

She never wanted anyone to be a substitute for him because Ryker was unique, irreplaceable.

And Casey didn't need to replace anyone. He was his own person, unique in this world.

Wiping away her tears, Izabella carefully put away the picture. She left in a hurry that time and hadn't told Toby.

She sent Toby a text saying that she would go back and then went to look for Casey. She wanted to explain things to him.

Her brain, previously a mess, had finally caught on. Casey knew about Ryker; he thought he was a substitute, and it was all because of Brett and Nathaniel.

They were trying to sabotage her relationship with Casey to sow discord between them. But she wouldn't dance to their tune.

Just as Izabella was about to call

Casey, she turned a corner and saw a car parked by the roadside. Nathaniel was in the car. The window was down, and he was on a call with someone. His expression darkened when he saw Izabella and then he hung up.

Seeing Nathaniel there, Izabella was irritated. He was like a bad penny that just wouldn't go away.

That was definitely not a chance encounter. It could only mean that he had her under surveillance. Even after Casey beat him up, he still had someone tailing them.

Pure malice!

Izabella instinctively took off running, but she was blocked by Nathaniel's men after only a few steps.

She glanced around and saw seven

or eight of them. They didn't show up when Nathaniel was beat up..It seemed like Nathaniel did that on purpose to lower their guard and to misguide them.

"Ms. Salotti, please come this way."

Izabella twirled her ring then turned to face Nathaniel.

Nathaniel gave a half-smile, signaled for his men to open the car door, got in, and motioned for Izabella to do the same.

"Nathaniel, what the hell are you up to?"

"You'll find out what I'm up to soon enough. Are you getting in yourself, or do I have to tie you up and throw you in? Honestly, I don't want to get physical with a woman." Izabella snorted, "Your idea of getting physical is pretty much a death sentence."

Nathaniel's expression was indifferent, but he had a mocking smile, "It seems like you know everything."

"Of course, I do. I haven't forgotten how you shot Ryker in the chest."

She knew that in her past life, three years ago, that Nathaniel was the one who did that horrible thing.

From the day she regained her memory, she started calling Nathaniel.

The video of her being kidnapped, Nathaniel demanding Starry

Brilliance Island's data, and his

voice. She would never forget the

masked man who committed such a

heinous act that day, the demon.

If she had any regrets in her past life, it was not being able to get revenge on Nathaniel. But this time, since fate gave her this chance, she wouldn't let it slip through her fingers.

"Do you want revenge? But," Nathaniel paused and then continued, "you'll never be able to get revenge if you don't get close to me."