Chapter 23

Bella's POV

The air in the room grew heavy as Xander and I stood before the towering glass windows of his penthouse, our gazes fixed on the bustling cityscape below. It was a moment of rare tranquility, a brief respite from the relentless demands of our lives. Little did we know that this calm would soon be shattered by an unforeseen betrayal that would test the limits of our strength and resilience.

As we turned away from the window, our attention was drawn to a familiar figure standing in the doorway. It was Marcus, Xander's closest business partner and confidant, someone we had entrusted with our deepest secrets and shared aspirations. His face, once marked by loyalty and camaraderie, now wore a chilling mask of deceit.

"What's the meaning of this, Marcus?" Xander's voice was laced with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

Marcus chuckled, his eyes cold and calculating. "Oh, Xander, my dear friend, you've always been too trusting. It's time you learned that in the world of business, l