Twisted Ties of Love
Chapter 125

The scissors were covered in rust and somewhat prickly to hold. Ryker stepped on a rat, his gaze turning cold. He forcefully stabbed the rusty blade into the rat's neck, and blood soaked the ground. Ryker stared at the dead rat at his feet, his expression turning hideous.

Upon seeing this, a cold shiver ran down Izabella's spine-it was so creepy.

Ryker emotionlessly used the scissors to pick up the dead rat and tossed it into the garbage can.

He turned to look at Izabella, and his fierce demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by his usual innocent appearance.

"Bella, I can help you deal with anything you're scared of, even people."

Izabella saw a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

She didn't know why Ryker emitted such chilling vibes. Fear momentarily flashed through her mind.

The next second, Ryker became panicked, realizing his actions might have frightened Izabella. He glanced at his hands, which had no rat blood but were covered in rust marks. He wiped them on his pants. "Don't be afraid of me. I just want you to know I can protect you."

How could Izabella not understand what Ryker meant? "Ryker, don't waste your time on me. We could never be together." She mustered her strength and said, "I should get going.'

Ryker watched her smile. He wanted to say something, but seeing her pale and tired face, he remained silent.

Feeling uneasy, he stared at her retreating figure, the pain in his chest unbearable. She was so close, yet he felt so distant.

He was afraid Izabella would keep her distance and avoid him. He didn't care about anyone else, just her well-being.

It was long passed 10 minutes when Izabella returned with the bag in hand.

Brett stood at the entrance, casually saying, "You're five minutes late."

Izabella said nothing. Brett glanced at her slightly pale face, then shifted his gaze to Ryker, who was nearby.

His sharp eyebrows were filled with a cold, fierce look. He put out his cigarette, and his scrutiny became even more intense.

He had a feeling something happened between the two of them, and the thought of them doing something behind his back annoyed him.

As Izabella approached, Brett forcefully grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms, sniffing her neck.

To others, it seemed like he was asserting his ownership.

Regardless of others watching, Brett inhaled the scent of her neck and lifted her hair to look at the skin underneath.

"Is this enough for you? Should I take all my clothes off so you can inspect me properly?"

"Take it off when we get back." Brett tightly held Izabella's hand as they left the orphanage. The orphanage head wanted to see them off but was frightened by his cold glare. Once they were gone, she asked Ryker, "Were you with Ms. Salotti the entire time?"

Unable to speak, Ryker nodded.

"What did you do for so long?"

Ryker replied, "Talking, killed a rat."

The headmistress was taken aback and realized, "There are rats in the storeroom again?"

"Yes." Ryker responded, his gaze fixed on Izabella even as she got in the car and left.

"Don't look anymore. She's already married." And even if she wasn't, she wouldn't be with you, you big dummy.

The headmistress kept that hurtful comment to herself.

"I know." Ryker murmured, clenching his fists as he thought of how Brett treated Izabella earlier-he showed her no respect.

He genuinely wanted to kill that man the same way he killed that rat.

Brett marched on, dragging Izabella with him, not caring if she could keep up.

"Get in," he said, opening the car door for her without being too rough.

Izabella hesitated, looking at her reddened wrists. She rubbed them and frowned at Brett, she wasn't sure what he was up to.

Why was he so angry? She'd been through enough humiliation from him, so why was he still acting out?

Izabella pursed her lips, tossed the gift into the back seat, and then sat in the passenger seat, buckling her seat belt.

"What's got you so mad?"

"I don't like the way that moron looks at you, and I don't like you being close to him." A coldness shrouded Brett's face. "Izabella, you'd better stay away from him."

How ironic, the mere sight of Ryker and Izabella together made him feel threatened, more so than he ever felt with Presley.

"Brett, what are you thinking? What do you take me for? Do I just throw myself at any man? I'm already tired of dealing with you, so how would I have the energy to deal with other men?" Izabella mocked. Brett's lips pursed tight, and he gripped the steering wheel hard.

"Izabella, where did we meet sixteen years ago?"

Caught off guard, this was the first time Brett had ever brought up their past. Izabella's asked back calmly, "You don't remember, do you? What's the point of asking?"

When she had been madly in love with Brett, she would repeatedly whisper, "Long time no see," hoping he would remember their past.

Unfortunately, some things could never be remembered, like the ring she had forcibly worn on her ring finger but never put on again once it slipped off.

Now Izabella never wanted to mention their past, she'd rather keeping the happy memories sealed away in her heart, untainted by the present Brett.

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