Twisted Ties of Love

The place was buzzing with energy, all eyes focused on Izabella, paying no mind to the helicopter landing outside.

The live feed from the international film festival was displayed on a tablet inside the helicopter. The screen shook as Izabella was jostled around in the crowd, her frail body surrounded by people as if she was about to drown in a sea of bodies.

She was already pale, and with recent lack of sleep and overexertion, her face was sickly and greenish. The constant flashing of cameras made her look even more ghostly. One could even see the veins on her neck.

In just a month, Izabella had lost a drastic amount of weight, as if she would crumble and disappear in the crowded place.

A reporter's sharp question echoed in the live feed.

"Izabella, did you kill Casey?"

"I'd love to know who's spreading rumors about my death!" Casey's voice boomed from a distance. Everyone was taken aback.

Everyone instinctively turned to the source of the sound, and there he was. Casey, who was supposedly on his deathbed, stood at the entrance, backlit, slowly making his way in.

He walked slowly, his trembling legs barely noticeable. He was flanked by his bodyguards, eight giant men who all looked like they meant business.

The entire Dempsey family was there, with Bunny subtly supporting Casey.

Everyone knew how weak Casey was. The fact that he had mustered the strength to come here was all for Izabella.

Years ago, when Casey was shot, the first thing he did when he woke up was to look for his beloved Cry Baby, but his family had forcibly made him forget her. This time, however, Bunny and Beck didn't try to stop him.

Casey's slow but determined walk pierced through the noise and chatter. His gaze was locked onto Izabella. His affection for her was a rarity in this world.

His arrival was just what she had been waiting for.

"My God, isn't that Mr. Dempsey? I thought he was on his deathbed in a hospital!"

"Who said Casey was dying? Who said Izabella hurt Casey?"

His appearance shattered all the rumors and gossips, and he embraced Izabella protectively.

Casey had kept his promises. He said he'd always be behind her, that she could always find him if she looked back. He said he'd always be there to protect her when the sky fell. He said he'd solve all her problems.

The wind blew in, bringing a wave of warmth. She lifted her hand to wipe her face and realized she was crying.

She hadn't cried when Presley told her about the high risk of Casey's surgery. She didn't cry when Wendy told her Casey might not make it through the surgery. She didn't cry when she announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, thinking about Casey hanging on by a thread in the operating room. She didn't cry when people accused her of killing Casey. Yet, the noise had overwhelmed her, and she found herself shedding tears. The image of Casey walking towards her began to blur.

Izabella pushed her way through the crowd, her black dress trailing behind her as she ran towards Casey.

With open arms, Casey caught Izabella in a strong embrace.

"Are you scared?" he asked.

Burying her face in his chest, she nodded and whispered, "Yes."

It was the first time Casey had heard Izabella admit her fear. His heart ached. The noisy world around them seemed to quiet down.

"Don't be scared. I'll take you home, our home."

Despite the sunny day, it was only around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Casey took off his jacket and draped it around Izabella, holding her hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

The reporters finally snapped out of their daze. Some brave ones tried to approach them for questions, but Casey's intense gaze made them back off.

"Those who slandered me and my fiancée, expect a subpoena from court."

A hush fell over the crowd. This unexpected revelation was, in some ways, not surprising at all.

Casey had a stern look. He wasn't easy to deal with, just as Brett had said. The Dempsey family was not to be trifled with. If Casey wasn't capable, he wouldn't have been able to make it in the entertainment industry.

However, he had reserved all his warmth and kindness for Izabella, as if it was his second nature.

By the time everyone processed what had happened, Casey and Izabella had already left.

In the ensuing confusion, a voice rang out.

"Did Mr. Dempsey just say Izabella is his fiancée?"

"The people standing next to Mr. Dempsey, if I'm not mistaken, were the Chairman of Dempsey Group and his wife. Is Casey their son? The heir to the Dempsey family fortune?"

It dawned on them that some people did forsake their billion-dollar inheritance to pursue their passion in the entertainment industry.

That's how Casey's long-kept secret was revealed.

When they reached the helicopter, Casey's strength finally gave away. He had been gritting his teeth and pushing through, but now he could barely stand. His legs were as weak as noodles, and his forehead was slick with cold sweat, smudging the makeup he had used to hide his ailing condition.

As Casey slumped, Izabella quickly caught him.

"Just a while ago, he was the one supporting me." Izabella thought as she held Casey, who had collapsed into her arms like a boneless snake.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"Casey." Izabella's hands trembled. She wanted to hold him tighter, but her hands were weak. She didn't even know how to apply force. All she could do was hold him and cry. Upon landing, a doctor was waiting on the tarmac. The moment he saw Casey panting heavily, he rushed over and quickly administered a shot in his right arm.

About ten minutes after the injection, Casey finally had enough strength to flutter his trembling eyelashes open. Izabella's figure was blurred in his cloudy eyes.

He reached out and grabbed Izabella's hand, tracing his fingers up her arm to her neck and chin, which were damp. "Why are you crying again?"

Casey croaked, taking deep breaths, trying to steady his voice, scared that his shaky breath would frighten Izabella.

"Do you remember last Christmas's

nét

Eve, the wish we made together. I promised you that I would be with you every year, so don't cry. I'm afraid won't have the strength to wipe your tears." Casey finished, his voice hoarse and choked with emotion.

Izabella grabbed his cold hands with both of hers, rubbing her face against his palm. "Yes, you made me a promise, you can't break it, Casey. You owe me a wedding, a wedding dress, and a ring, so you can't leave me, understand?"

Struggling to keep his eyes open, Casey burnt Izabella's image deep into his soul. After a moment, he nodded.