Chapter 64 Not Planning to Get Married Anymore

Isabella didn't see this coming. She always figured she'd stick by Oliver, take care of him, and maybe that'd help with his illness.

But nope, things didn't go as planned.

After getting Oliver settled, Isabella hit up a hotel and checked in.

First things first, she needed a place to crash. Since she was planning to make this city her new home, she had to buy a house.

Post-shower, she fired up her laptop and started house hunting.

The ones that are nice were way too expensive, and the ones she could afford were out in the boonies. Basically, nothing was working out.

She shut the laptop, took a deep breath, and thought, "Man, starting fresh in a new city is no joke."

Her phone buzzed. Unknown number.

'Who the heck is this? Hardly anyone has my new number,' she wondered.

"Hello?" she answered, a bit wary.

"This is Ivan Harrison."

"Ivan?" Isabella almost jumped out of her skin. "Did Maurice give you my number?"

"Open the door," Ivan said.

Still holding her phone, Isabella rushed to the door and peeked through the peephole. A gentle, handsome guy was staring back at her.

She was so stoked that she threw herself into Ivan's arms as soon as she opened the door.

"Ivan, how'd you find me here?" she asked.

It had been years since Isabella last saw Ivan.

Ivan was Maurice's son, five years older than Isabella, and a hotshot doctor. He was a big deal in hospitals abroad during med school and went overseas for more studies right after graduation.

"Maurice told me you were here. You're really stubborn, you know that? Lucky for you, I'm in Riverside City," Ivan said, ruffling her hair.

"Oh, come on, I'm old enough to go wherever I want. You and Maurice always treat me like a kid, but I'm in my twenties now."

"Even in your twenties, you're still a kid," Ivan said, glancing around the basic hotel room. "So, what's your game plan?"

"First, find a place to live, then get a job. Gotta make a living, right?" Isabella said, pulling Ivan over. "Have a seat."

"Funny you mention that. Our hospital's looking for an acupuncturist. Why not give it a shot?" Ivan suggested.

Isabella shook her head like crazy. "No way."

"Didn't you once cure a prince's headache?" Ivan asked.

Isabella waved it off. "That was ages ago."

"Come on, give it a try. I'd feel better with you around," Ivan said, looking at her. The little girl he remembered had grown into a stunning woman, making his heart skip a beat.

"Ivan, I'm actually house hunting. I want to buy one and settle down here. If you know any good spots, let me know," Isabella said, glancing up at Ivan. Their eyes met.

Ivan quickly looked away, a bit flustered. "What are you looking for?"

Since she planned to stay long-term, Isabella wanted something nice. "A small villa with a yard for pets. Doesn't have to be huge, about 2,000 square feet. When Oliver and I get old, we can live comfortably."

"Not planning to get married?" Ivan asked.

Isabella lowered her eyes. "I don't want to get married. Being alone is fine."

"Silly girl," Ivan said, ruffling her hair gently. "I can take care of you forever."

"I don't want to be a burden for life," Isabella said.

"Isabella," Ivan started, something stuck in his throat, wanting to say more but hesitating.

"Hmm?" she asked.

"Alright then," Ivan said, standing up and getting ready to leave. "I'll keep an eye out for houses for you. Get some rest, and think about the job offer."

Isabella smiled. "Okay, I'll think about it."

After seeing Ivan off, Isabella opened her laptop again. Acupuncture wasn't really her thing, and she didn't want to make a living from it, even though she had the skills.

If she was into medicine, she would've picked a medical major in college.

She loved painting. She couldn't remember when she started loving it, probably around three or four years old when she saw a painting by Hazel.

The painting showed Isabella with pigtails, catching butterflies in a grassy field, so lifelike and vivid.

When Isabella was young, she wondered how Hazel could put a person on paper, wishing she had that special ability.

Isabella thought she and Oliver must've inherited Hazel's artistic genes.

Ivan, being the attentive guy he was, brought her good news within a few days.

It was a three-story townhouse, the right size and location, but the price was a bit steep.

"$4.5 million?" Isabella asked, clutching her wallet.

"Over budget?" Seeing Isabella's dilemma, Ivan decided to buy it for her. "It's okay, I'll help you buy it. Consider it a loan."

"No way," Isabella firmly refused. "It's expensive, but I can swing it."

Ivan thought Isabella had gotten a divorce settlement from George, so he said, "How much did the Spencer family give you? If you blow it all on the house, what about your future living expenses?"

"It's not that," Isabella said, feeling there was no need to hide it from Ivan. "It's the inheritance Hazel left for Oliver and me. I didn't take any money from the Spencer family."

Hearing this, Ivan felt relieved. "Actually, this house is pretty good. If you're sure about buying it, I'll buy the one next door. We can be neighbors."

Isabella was thrilled. "Really? That would be awesome."

Isabella bought the house.

On the day she bought it, Isabella looked at the three-story townhouse and specifically chose the middle unit. This way, Ivan would be on one side, and another neighbor on the other, making her feel safe.

The house was worth it.

Ivan helped her with the property paperwork and even pitched in with the interior design.

Sometimes, watching Ivan busy with everything, Isabella felt truly blessed.

Meanwhile, at the Spencer Group office, Caleb was reporting to George about Isabella. "Mr. Spencer, Mrs. Spencer went to Riverside City after picking up her brother from abroad. She hasn't found a job yet."

George stood by the large floor-to-ceiling window, his back to Caleb, sunlight casting a golden glow on his shoulders. "Where is she staying?" he asked.

"She bought a townhouse in Riverside City," Caleb said, glancing at George. "Mr. Spencer, are you planning to go there?"

"A townhouse? Does she have neighbors?"

Caleb had done his homework. "The townhouse has three units. Mrs. Spencer bought the middle one. The neighbor on the west side is Ivan Harrison, and the east side hasn't been sold yet."

"Ivan Harrison? What's his deal?" George asked.

"Ivan is the son of Mrs. Spencer's foster family. They have a sibling-like relationship."

George smirked.

'Siblings? Between a man and a woman with no blood relation, that is just nonsense,' he thought.