Chapter 22

Bella's POV

I walked down the bustling streets of the city, my hand intertwined with Xander's. The warmth of his touch and the love in his eyes made me feel invincible, like nothing could tarnish the happiness we had found together. Little did I know that lurking in the shadows was a danger that would soon threaten to unravel our carefully woven tapestry of love and trust.

As we stepped into a quaint café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. We settled into a cozy booth, seeking solace from the outside world. The bell above the door jingled, and I glanced up to see a man entering, his eyes scanning the room with an intense curiosity.

Xander noticed my unease and squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, love. We're in this together," he whispered.

The man approached our table, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Bella Bennett, I presume," he said, extending his hand. "I'm Jonathan Stevens, a journalist from The Beacon."

I reluctantly shook his hand, instantly regrettin