Chapter 352
Atticus's voice was calm and steady, but filled with unmistakable distance and coldness.
Even though Atticus never really liked Michael, his nephew-in-law, he always maintained the decorum expected of an elder.
Even when Atticus had hit him before, it was with a tone of disappointment, like a parent scolding a child.
But today, Atticus was treating him like a complete outsider.
He didn't even bother to look at him.
Something must have happened to make Atticus act this way.
Michael sensed it immediately.
For Atticus to change so drastically, there had to be a reason.
Michael still stood there obediently, cautiously probing, "Atticus, I know as Isabella's husband, I should be here by Grandpa Daniel's memorial. It's my fault for not being here and making you angry. From now on, I'll stay here."
He had left earlier because he was worried about his grandfather's health, afraid that returning home would make him even more upset.
And he knew that Daniel's death was a huge blow to Isabella. Staying by her side would only make her more emotional, so he thought it was better to leave for a bit and come back when she had calmed down.
But who knew that in just a few minutes, everything would change so drastically.
Hearing Michael's words, Atticus let out a cold laugh.
Of course, he was angry!
He couldn't stand the thought of Isabella suffering for three whole years because of Michael, enduring countless grievances and bullying, and now she had even lost her baby.
He wanted to beat Michael to death!
But he couldn't do that, not just because Michael was the heir to the Brown Family, but also because he still held an important place in Isabella's heart.
He didn't want Isabella to hate him in the future.
So, he could only keep his distance from Michael.
"Michael, I told you, you have nothing to do with the Wilson Family anymore. From today on, I don't want you to step foot in our family again, and I don't want you to go near Isabella. It's best if you never appear in front of her again."
"As the eldest son of the Wilson Family, I have to control my actions, but my brothers don't. If you dare to come back, whatever they do to you is your own fault!"
With that, Atticus had made his stance clear.
Daniel was dead, and the Wilson Family would no longer tolerate him.
"Atticus, what do you mean by this?"
"I know you're angry with me, but Isabella and I are still married. And we're about to have a cute baby. That bond can never be broken."
Michael knew that his foolish actions over the years had left a bad impression on Isabella's uncles.
But no matter what, he wasn't going to give up on reconciling with Isabella.
She was the only one in his heart.
As long as their child was there, their marriage couldn't be severed.
"And when the child is born, as the biological father, I can't just never see my child and the child's mother, right?"
Michael was more eager than anyone for the child's arrival, hoping it would ease the tension between him and Isabella. He wanted to learn to be a good father and husband.
He wanted to rebuild his marriage with Isabella.
But Atticus's cold laugh shattered all his hopes. "The child? You still think you're gonna have a kid?"
Atticus took a deep breath, as if he was pained for Isabella, or maybe he was just sighing.
"Isabella wanted to have this baby for you, and you know that. But you were irresponsible and failed to protect them. You two are destined to be apart."
Michael's face went pale at those words.
"Atticus, what do you mean? What do you mean I failed to protect them? What happened to Isabella and the baby?"
The baby had already passed the three-month danger period, and all the prenatal checkups showed healthy development. How could anything have gone wrong?
"Atticus, this isn't funny. Tell me what happened!"
Michael was genuinely panicking.
Atticus looked at him coldly and said, "The baby's gone. Isabella almost got hurt because of it, and it's all because of your past mistakes."
Michael collapsed to the ground, disbelief written all over his face.
"That's impossible."
He had just seen Isabella not long ago. She was fine, still arguing with him. How could things change so quickly?
Atticus turned away, facing the hall, and said, "Isabella is at the hospital. If you want to see the baby one last time, go. After three months, the fetus was already formed. It's not just you who is heartbroken."
Atticus couldn't bring himself to completely deny Michael the right to know as a father.
But seeing Michael now, Isabella would finally give up on him.
Michael wasn't right for her, and continuing this would only hurt Isabella more.
Even if it was cruel, he had to cut off her hopes.
Michael was already on his way to the hospital.
The whole way, he was stiff and numb.
The baby was gone!
Their baby was gone.
But he had just seen Isabella. She was fine, and the baby was healthy.
What had happened? How could the baby be gone?
The car sped through the streets, and Michael reached the hospital as quickly as possible.
Outside the hospital room, Michael saw Isabella sitting on the bed, her face pale as a sheet.
Isabella looked more like her mother, a cold beauty, but now she was pale, her lips bloodless.
Her long hair fell over her thin shoulders, making her look small and fragile.
Isabella was focused on a report in her hands, so she didn't notice Michael's arrival.
But Michael saw something was wrong. Her hands were shaking, and she was biting her lips, on the verge of breaking down.
What was wrong with her?
Michael was about to rush over when Olivia stepped in front of him.
"Michael, who let you in here? Get out. Isabella doesn't want to see you!"
Olivia knew how fragile Isabella's emotions were right now. If Michael appeared, she wouldn't be able to handle it.
Olivia's voice snapped Isabella out of her thoughts.
She slowly looked up and saw Michael at the door. His eyes were filled with pain and urgency, and the sorrow of losing their baby.
But her eyes were filled with despair and emptiness.
His emotions no longer affected her.
She looked at him deeply, then turned away, speaking calmly, "Do you need something?"