Chapter 12 George Fell, Feeling Guilty

George hit the ground hard, face and body first. His delicate skin, weakened by illness, got scraped up, leaving blood on his forehead and his nose bleeding badly.

"John, George is hurt!" Isabella yelled.

Everyone carefully moved George from the garden to his bedroom upstairs.

Daniel was urgently called to Spencer Manor to treat George's wounds. Patricia, standing nearby with a worried look, made Isabella uneasy.

"It's okay, just some surface wounds. I've cleaned them up," Daniel said, trying to reassure Isabella.

Patricia's expression softened a bit. She sat by George's bedside, holding his hand silently, her face full of pain and guilt, which made Isabella feel even worse.

"I'm sorry, Patricia. I didn't mean it. I didn't see the step," Isabella said, looking down.

Patricia stayed silent, but Daniel chimed in, "Next time, just take him out on the second-floor balcony. It's easier."

"Will his face scar?" Isabella asked nervously.

"It shouldn't," Daniel replied.

Patricia stood up, walked over to Isabella, and said, "Come with me, we need to talk."

"Okay," Isabella responded.

Patricia spoke seriously, "The Spencer family isn't as calm as it looks. After George's accident, Joseph almost drained the Spencer Group. If it weren't for George's maternal uncle and some board members stepping in, things would be much worse."

"Isabella," Patricia said, holding her hand, "I know marrying into the Spencer family has been tough. I haven't forgotten my promise. I've found a great autism treatment center abroad for your brother. Once the paperwork is done, we can send him for treatment."

Isabella didn't care about the Spencer family's business, but her brother's treatment was crucial.

"Thank you, Patricia," Isabella said.

"We're family, no need to thank me. I know taking care of George has been hard on you," Patricia said, handing Isabella a black card. "Here, take this. Buy whatever you need."

Isabella glanced down at the card with "Spencer" written on it, and she immediately understood Patricia's intentions.

'First, she wants me to understand the Spencer family's situation. If George doesn't wake up, we're both in trouble. I need to take care of him and avoid any more accidents. Second, Patricia wants to show she's true to her word. The Spencer family keeps their promises, and she hopes I will too by taking good care of George,' Isabella thought.

Patricia's mix of persuasion and pressure was sophisticated, making Isabella feel unprecedented stress.

"Thank you, Patricia."

After Patricia left, Isabella felt conflicted and guilty, especially seeing George's injuries.

But that guilt didn't last long. A call from Elodie summoned Isabella to the hospital.

"How old are you? Still playing the hunger strike game? Nathan, stop being childish!" Elodie said, holding a bowl of porridge, so angry she wanted to dump it on his head.

Nathan just leaned against the headboard with his eyes closed, looking indifferent.

"Nathan, I've told you Isabella married into the Spencer family. She can't leave with you. Do you think the Spencer family is easy to mess with? I know you like Isabella, but what were you doing all this time? You had three years in high school and four years in college to confess to her. Don't you think it's too late now? Whether you eat this or not, it's up to you." Elodie said and slammed the bowl on the bedside table, tears of frustration welling up.

Isabella walked in, seeing Elodie wiping her tears, and asked, "What happened, Elodie?"

Elodie glared at Nathan, "It's him. Not only is he refusing to eat, but he also yelled at the nurse who came to give him an injection, saying he wanted to be left to die."

Isabella gently patted Elodie's back, "He's a patient. Why argue with him? Let me talk to him."

"You talk to him. I'll go buy something," Elodie said.

"Okay." Isabella glanced at Nathan on the bed, gently put down her bag, and sat by the bed. "Starving yourself and refusing medicine, are you trying to die?"

Nathan struggled to sit up, his face pale and weak, trying to hold Isabella's hand, but she avoided it.

"Isabella, leave with me. I may not be able to give you a life of luxury, but I will give you all my love. I've been waiting for the right moment to confess to you, but you got married before I could," Nathan said, heartbroken.

Isabella, however, said calmly, "Nathan, I can't go with you."