Chapter 27

Bella's POV

I felt a slight breeze caress my face as I stood on the balcony of our luxurious penthouse, gazing out at the city skyline. The lights twinkled like stars, illuminating the night with a sense of wonder and possibility. It was a peaceful evening, or so I thought.

As I turned to go back inside, my heart skipped a beat at the sight before me. Standing in the doorway, with an enigmatic smile on her lips, was a woman I had never expected to see again—Elena. Xander's past lover, the one who had once held his heart in her hands.

"Bella," she said softly, her voice laced with a mixture of apprehension and hope. "It's been a long time."

I was taken aback by her sudden appearance, the memories of their past relationship flooding my mind. It was a time when Xander and Elena were inseparable, their love burning bright like a passionate flame. But circumstances had torn them apart, and Xander had found his way to me, forever changing the course of our lives.

My initial shock transforme