CHAPTER 765: CHAPTER 765: SHE KNOWS HE’S HERE

Isabelle Willow couldn’t quite articulate the feeling, she just felt he was acting strangely, somewhat out of character.

Jude Crawford held her tightly, slowly closing his handsome eyes, "I’m fine, just a bit tired, let me hold you like this for a while, just a little while."

Ripples of emotion spread in Isabelle Willow’s heart. So, even he could get tired. This man, usually so dominant and indomitable, suddenly showed a hint of weariness in front of her, leaving her feeling at a loss, bewildered, and a little heartbroken.

He said he was very happy.

Because Serena proved her innocence, he knew that nothing happened between her and Dylan Gardner. Over the years, he had been carrying the guilt towards his sister, Iris Crawford, forging ahead under the weight. On one side was family, and on the other love, many nights he felt suffocated by the pressure.

He was truly happy.

Isabelle Willow released his suit, her hand moved down to his well-built waist, and then slowly, hesitantly, touched it.

She wanted to hug him.

When she found out he had suddenly developed a heart condition, she wanted to hug him.

Since they met, she had never reached out to hug him of her own accord. Not because she didn’t want to, but because she didn’t dare to. He was her greatest luxury and craving, she didn’t dare to let herself, because with him, she couldn’t afford to.

Isabelle Willow’s hand had already touched his waist, about to hug him when suddenly the maid walked over, "Sir, Ma’am, dinner is ready."

Isabelle Willow’s hand quickly withdrew.

With someone interrupting, Jude Crawford released Isabelle Willow, but his arm rested on her waist, "Come on, let’s go have dinner together."

Isabelle Willow had no room to refuse, as he was already holding her as they went downstairs to the dining room.

...

In the dining room.

The old Mrs. Crawford and Dylan Gardner hadn’t come downstairs, staying with Iris Crawford. Serena Sterling came down and joined Jude Crawford and Isabelle Willow for dinner.

Isabelle Willow didn’t have much of an appetite, and when the maid served a bowl of carp soup, she quickly pressed her hand to her chest upon smelling the fishy scent, feeling nauseous.

"Ma’am, are you alright?" Butler Thorne asked with concern.

Serena Sterling looked up, her clear eyes falling on Isabelle Willow, with something flickering in her gaze, though she didn’t say anything.

"I’m fine, I just have no appetite and don’t want to eat, you all continue," Isabelle Willow said, wanting to get up.

But Jude Crawford grabbed her arm, picked up a small bowl and spoon, and started feeding her himself, "You must eat something, open your mouth."

He wanted her to open her mouth so he could feed her.

Isabelle Willow blushed, with so many people in the dining room, and her not being young anymore. Across, Serena Sterling’s lively eyes were watching her, making her feel very embarrassed.

"I’m not eating," she refused.

Jude Crawford was full of patience, his deep voice tinged with warmth, "Be good, listen~"

Across, Serena Sterling was speechless, "..."

Suddenly, she felt full, unexpectedly stuffed with a bowl of dog food.

Serena Sterling had always thought Jude Crawford was the classic domineering CEO in his early days, but didn’t expect even middle age wouldn’t temper him, flaunting affection with complete abandon.

Isabelle Willow neither advanced nor retreated, she could only open her mouth and eat the rice he fed her, "I’ll eat on my own."

Jude Crawford was determined to see the feeding through, he scooped some carp soup, picked out some meat from the fish’s belly, carefully picked out the fishbones, and fed it to her lips, "Open your mouth."

"..." Isabelle Willow looked at Jude Crawford doubtfully. What was wrong with him? Although when they were young... he often used to have her sit on his lap, confined in his arms, while feeding her, now he was acting strange.

Of course, Serena Sterling knew what was going on with Jude Crawford, he was treating Yara Auntie as if she were a pregnant woman.

Serena Sterling buried her little head and quickly finished the white rice in her bowl, "Uncle Jude, Aunt Yara, I’ve finished my meal, I’ll be off now."

Serena Sterling hurriedly left.

Isabelle Willow watched Serena Sterling’s retreating figure, getting more confused; she kept feeling that Serena was hiding something from her.

All in all, she was utterly bewildered.

"Jude Crawford, I’ve eaten enough, I don’t need you to feed me anymore," Isabelle Willow quickly reached out to push Jude Crawford away a little.

Jude Crawford put down the bowl and chopsticks, then placed his large hand on her flat abdomen, gently rubbing it in circles.

What was he doing?

"Jude Crawford, stop it, others are watching," the blush on Isabelle Willow’s face burned all the way to her earlobes.

Jude Crawford touched her stomach again, then looked up at her, "Stay tonight."

Stay tonight.

Since she returned, he hadn’t made such a request, causing Isabelle Willow’s heart to race. She stood up at once, "No, I’m leaving with Serena."

With that, she ran upstairs.

...

Isabelle Willow returned to her room, when a knock sounded, and Serena Sterling walked in, "Aunt Yara~"

Isabelle Willow held Serena Sterling’s small hand, "Serena, it’s already dark, let’s go."

Serena Sterling blinked her long lashes and playfully smiled, "Aunt Yara, why are you in such a hurry, could it be... Uncle Jude asked you to stay the night?"

"..." Isabelle Willow gently tapped Serena Sterling’s forehead with her finger, "Don’t talk nonsense, between your Uncle Jude and me... it’s already over, and besides, your Uncle Jude’s health was compromised before, it’s still... not recovered. The last time I even saw him visiting doctors for treatment..."

Serena Sterling arched her delicate brow and just smiled without saying anything else. Jude Crawford’s tactics could only deceive the simple and innocent Aunt Yara.

"Serena, why are you laughing, be honest, are you hiding something from me?"

Serena Sterling took out a small pill and offered it to Isabelle Willow, "Aunt Yara, take this."

"What is it?"

Serena Sterling smiled mysteriously, "Aunt Yara, once you take it, you’ll know everything."

Isabelle Willow took the pill, and Serena Sterling left. Filled with curiosity, she soon felt her eyelids grow heavy, as the familiar sensation swept over her once again.

Isabelle Willow lay on the bed, soon closing her eyes, but this time was different; though she fell asleep, her mind was completely clear.

Serena’s pill!

What did Serena mean by this?

Just then, the door suddenly creaked open, someone was entering the room.

Isabelle Willow’s heart tightened, she dared not move, pretending to sleep.

She heard the steady sound of footsteps, then the bed beside her sank, someone lay down, and soon a pair of soft lips touched hers, kissing her.

Isabelle Willow had only ever had Jude Crawford in her life; she had been with him since she was nineteen. He had left indelible marks on her. Even though she didn’t open her eyes, she knew he had come.