10 Days To Escape My Marriage Chapter 21
William’s surrender and subsequent four–year sentence caused a sensation.
Those who had followed the scandal regarding Isabella’s alleged malpractice once again blew up the trending topics.
The Harrington Family’s reputation was in tatters, their stock price plummeted, and they were effectively ousted from the circle of top–tier elites.
As for Harrington Medical Center, no one dared to visit anymore. It shut its doors for good in less than six months.
Far away in America, when Isabella heard the news, she simply lowered her gaze indifferently and closed the webpage.
Because of the scandal with the Harringtons, many people sought out her account, only to stay, captivated by her spirit.
Phoenix Rising topped the charts multiple times on major social media platforms both at home and abroad, being named one of the year’s most valuable IPs.
Seeing the tide turn in their favor, Samantha dropped out of school to co–found a cultural brand with Isabella, dedicated to spreading the resilient spirit of the “Phoenix.”
They donated the vast majority of their profits to treat impoverished patients.
When Isabella had married into a wealthy family, she hadn’t enjoyed a single day of privilege.
Now, the tables had turned, and she was a billionaire in her own right.
But what brought her even greater joy was that her work could help many others who were in the same position she once was.
However… ever since Anika had made a full recovery, he had left the team and returned to the Sullivan family to inherit the family business.
Over the past six months, although they messaged every day and often dined together, their relationship hadn’t progressed any further. babella wasn’t in a rush.
Romance wasn’t a necessity in her life, she wanted to let things happen naturally
It was early summer again when, one day, Samantha briefed her on the day’s schedule
“We’re inviting a mystery guest for tonight’s livestream. You should look forward to m
Isabella was long used to her partner’s whims and didn’t think much of it.
But that evening, as she was getting ready. Samantha insisted she change into a white haine couture gown.
“Isn’t this a bit much?
It’s not like I’m getting married.”
She laughed, but when she caught a fleeting look of guilt on her best friend’s face, her heart skipped a beat.
“Oh, hush! I’m your manager, you have to listen to me!”
Samantha brushed off her protests, dressed her up to the nines, and led her to the livestream
Anika was waiting there, dressed in a white suit and holding a bouquet of flowers.
Tens of millions of Phoenix Rising fans cheered thunderously as Samantha pulled Isabella onto the stage step by step, her heart rate climbing.
When she reached him, Anika took a deep breath and began to speak
“Isabella, I once thought my life would end with that car accident.
I never imagined it would turn out to be the greatest stroke of luck in my life.
“Because that accident led me to you… to my salvation, my goddess.”
“I wanted to tell you this six months ago, but I wasn’t worthy of you then. Now that I’ve achieved something, I finally have the confidence to say it.”
He lowered his eyes with a soft smile, handing the flowers and several documents to Isabella.
One was a transfer of thirty percent of the Sullivan family shares–the absolute maximum amount he could secure as the heir of the younger generation.
The other was a patent for a world–class technological invention, the fruit of his dedicated research over the past six months.
The final item was a photo album.
Isabella went to open it, but Anika stopped her hand. “Save this for later.”
Then, he dropped to one knee. “Isabella, I’ve wasted too much time already, and I don’t want to take it slow anymore. With these three gifts, may I ask for your hand in marriage?”
Tears welled up in Isabella’s eyes.
It turned out that for the past six months, he hadn’t just been drifting along; he had been meticulously preparing for this very moment..
She didn’t know about the album yet, but the first two items were worth hundreds of billions. Even a daughter from a top–tier aristocratic family would have never seen such grand betrothal gifts.
Yet, those were secondary… The most important thing was that Anika made her feel respected and deeply loved.
Amidst the blessings of countless people, Isabella accepted Anika’s proposal.
The livestream exploded in popularity, and their story was eagerly shared far and wide, becomin the very definition of romantic love.
After the broadcast, Anika took Isabella out for dinner.
Whenever they traveled together, Isabella usually did the cooking, but this time, Anika took charge.
After enjoying a romantic candlelight dinner, the two leaned against each other and opened the photo album.
A picture of Isabella from her university days appeared prominently on the very first page.
“Is this… the day I saved that cat?”
She was surprised.
Wasn’t this the day she first met William?
Anika lowered his gaze and said quietly, “That day, your university was holding a ceremony for the new campus building. William and I went there together.”
“On our way back, we saw you standing under a tree. Both of us were captivated.”
“I thought the scene was beautiful and didn’t want to disturb it, but William ignored my attempts to stop him and walked straight over.”
“Later, you two got together, and I went abroad… For four whole years, I regretted not stopping him more forcefully that day.”
Anika sighed deeply and held Isabella’s hand. “I’m sorry you had to suffer so much.”
Isabella had long since let go of the past. Hearing this, she simply smiled. “Is this the ‘difference in values‘ you mentioned?”
“Hmph. I really should have beaten him to a pulp back then.”
Anika pursed his lips. “If I had been a little more proactive, would things have turned out differently?”
Perhaps, but Isabella didn’t like to dwell on ‘what ifs‘.
“You’re overthinking it!
Life is good now, and I’m very happy.”
Isabella smiled brightly. “Besides, don’t you have something more important to do?”
Anika’s heart skipped a beat. He looked up; under the moonlight, Isabella looked as beautiful as a dream.
He had always known that between them, Isabella was the strong, steady, and accepting one.
As long as he was with her, he would never feel lost or adrift.
With the devotion of a true believer, he lowered his head and kissed his goddess.
“Isabella, I love you.”
