Chapter 191: Wishing You a Speedy Recovery

Isabella’s sigh made Alexander tense.

“That’s strange,” Isabella mused internally, startling Alexander. (+5 Pearls)

What’s strange? he wondered. *Is it that I don’t care for Eleanor, or is it my feelings for Isabella? His restless heart sank.

He’d always been slow to recognize romantic feelings. He often felt unsure of others' opinions of him, only discerning affection from Eleanor and the past Isabella through their fervent pursuit. He'd only recently realized his own relative slowness in matters of the heart. His past university romance was fleeting; he'd never truly cared for Eleanor, simply going with the flow. But someone—Isabella—had helped him understand.

She entered his thoughts unexpectedly often, causing emotional fluctuations: anger, happiness, worry, disappointment, and more. Previously indifferent, he now experienced a constant emotional roller coaster. He disliked this loss of control, yet found himself irresistibly drawn to her. A little rational analysis revealed the truth: he was in love with Isabella. He couldn't define the extent of his feelings, nor did he feel the need to; he only felt this way about Isabella, his legally wedded wife. He expectedly harbored ulterior motives. Previously, he'd avoided divorce out of responsibility and respect for marriage, but now, he simply didn't want a divorce.

The always composed, methodical, and logical Alexander found his thoughts once again in disarray because of Isabella. Like a lovestruck teenager, he was naive and bewildered. If first love was defined by genuine affection, Isabella was, in every sense, his first love.

His thoughts turned to Isabella’s past comment about affection arriving too late being worthless. Was she thinking "strange" because she remembered how cold I was when she read my mind?

He couldn't change the past. His previous relationship with Isabella was based solely on obligation. If not for Isabella's unchanged appearance, he would have doubted their identity as the same person. Now, he only wanted to be with the current Isabella.

His reminiscing was interrupted by a flash of memories of a little girl beaming at him. "Alex," she'd said, "why are you so quiet? Can't you speak? If so, let me talk more. You'll learn to speak more if you listen. Let me share some gossip with you about my family."

"Alex, you're incredibly handsome. In the future, I plan to earn a ton of money to take care of you!"

"Alex, you are so thin. Eat more. I have a thing for six-packs!"

"Hahaha, your first kiss is mine, Alex!"

Alexander was stunned. Was this Isabella as a child?

Given their families' close relationship, frequent meetings were common, despite living in different cities. Meeting as children was normal. However, he didn't usually live at the Quirk manor as a child, so his memories with his siblings were limited; he wasn't sure if they played together. His memories were blurry.

His thoughts were interrupted by Isabella's internal argument with her system.

"Why is there a mosaic here? I used to be able to see his gossip, like the fact that he’s still a virgin! Why is everything covered in mosaic now?" she shouted mentally.

Alexander almost choked but didn't care. The outcome he'd anticipated hadn't arrived, leaving him dumbfounded. What’s going on? Why the mosaic?!

Isabella’s thoughts continued: "System, you must be broken! Aren't you able to dig up any gossip aside from predicting the future? I'm requesting an upgrade and repair! You're not broken? In that case… Huh? I have no access to gossip from directly relevant figures?"

What does that mean? Alexander wondered. Someone who will directly affect my life? I don’t understand! Is it because I’m not divorced? He’s my primary responsibility figure? That doesn’t make sense! I wasn’t divorced before either! Isabella exclaimed internally.

While not obsessed with others' privacy, Isabella couldn't understand. Her past inquiry failures involved information with the potential to significantly impact the world. This new restriction, specifically concerning Alexander, was baffling. No matter how much she argued with the system, it was useless.

Alexander pondered, Perhaps the system acknowledges my feelings for her, and to protect our relationship, it’s preventing her from reading my mind.

This was mere speculation, as the system was unpredictable. He found something else peculiar: Isabella seemed perpetually unaware of their ability to read minds. Is it because it would affect her life? Hmm, I better not tell Isabella.

Alexander wanted to know Isabella on an equal footing; he didn't intend to keep his ability to read her thoughts. But for now, all he could do was observe silently. Although frustrated, his innocence remained unproven.

It doesn’t matter if she can’t see my information. Alexander smiled at Isabella, his gaze gentler.

With each introspection, he became increasingly aware of Isabella's extraordinary importance to him. He could prove his sincere desire to continue their journey together. He hoped that when he next revealed his feelings, she wouldn’t see him as someone who didn't speak his mind truthfully.

While Alexander pondered, Isabella was losing her mind. Meanwhile, the onlookers' eyes widened as they saw Alexander wipe Isabella's mouth and touch her lips with his finger—a blatant act of flirting in their eyes.

This was familiar to Ines and Aiden, a famously romantic couple. Aiden often tenderly brushed his fingers against Ines' lips. Everyone remembered Ines and Aiden and was dumbfounded. They couldn't discern Alexander's sincerity. Their initial sympathy for Isabella shifted to Eleanor, as it was hard to believe Alexander's actions were intentional. Eleanor paled; she alone knew the truth—Alexander had never behaved this way towards her. She was shaken.

"Alexander!" Lily exclaimed.

Both Isabella and Alexander were startled. Isabella, preoccupied with her system, hadn't noticed. Alexander, snapping back to reality, felt as though his fingertips were scalded. I think I subconsciously touched her lips while recalling her childhood claim on my first kiss.

Those childish kisses were insignificant, forgotten even. Yet, an echo of that memory compelled him to subconsciously recapture the sensations. He couldn't recall details.

Feeling uncomfortable, he didn't immediately turn to Lily. Seeing him still gazing at Isabella, Lily was furious.

Politeness forced Alexander to turn. "What?" His expression was infuriatingly clueless.

Lily inhaled sharply, glaring fiercely. "Everyone is concerned about Eleanor. Why aren't you reacting? Are you heartless? Even with past grievances, knowing the truth, you should understand Eleanor had no choice. Don't you have anything to say to Eleanor?"

"Enough, Lily! It's all in the past. Please, no more!" Eleanor seemed to hold Lily back, unwilling to put Alexander in a difficult position. She cautiously glanced at Isabella, feigning fear of angering her and disrupting their harmony.

"Say something, Alexander!" Lily insisted.

Unable to hold Lily back, Eleanor looked tearfully at Alexander. The others sympathized with her, some casting disapproving glances at Alexander.

Alexander calmly considered his response. "Um… I wish you a swift recovery." (45 Pearls)