Dave's POV I had arrived at the apartment long before I even realized where I was heading. There was no logical reason to come here, yet my crazy instincts refused to let me be and had drawn me to this place, where Belle and I were to return about this time as man and wife.I was to conquer her today and put her in her fucking place!The apartment was dark. The faint scent of her perfume still lingered in the air, making me feel nostalgic. Everywhere in the apartment screamed her name and it was only fueling the anger I already felt. I got her this apartment and stayed in it with her, but she was always so emotionally down most of the time and I could not deal with all that shit.I walked to the cellar and helped myself to a glass of whiskey. Walking back to the dining area, I turned off the lights, letting the silence wrap around me as I sat at the dining table with my glass of whiskey. My mind was racing, my emotions torn between rage and disbelief. She had really done it. Belle
Zane’s POVWas Dave Scott a clown truly? Or he was trying to put up an act?“You think a knife is going to scare me?” I said in a cold and steady voice. “You’re even more pathetic than I thought.”He pressed the blade harder and I could feel his hands trembling from the knife he had pressed to my neck. “You don’t know what you’re messing with, Caruso. I’ll kill you if I have to.”“Go ahead,” I replied lazily. I had already wasted more than enough time with the son of a bitch. “Do it. But killing me won’t change anything. Belle’s already gone, and no matter what you do, you can’t force her to come back.”I felt his grip tightened on the knife for a split second, then followed closely by the familiar dance of hesitation in his eyes.I chuckled softly, knowing how infuriating that would sound, but I still chuckled even louder. “You’re not going to do it, are you? You don’t have the balls.”“I just don’t want to get your dirty blood on my hands,” He replied through gritted teeth. “But yo
Belle's POVThe plane was packed, but somehow I felt utterly alone. The low hum of passengers chatting, the shuffling of luggage, and the faint hiss of the air vents above me faded into background noise. I had sunk into my seat, my body pressed into the soft cushions, but I could still feel the tightness in my chest, a dull ache that I couldn’t quite shake.I closed my eyes, trying to block it all out, but the moment I did, silent tears began to slip down my face. I couldn’t stop them even if I tried. I wasn’t crying because I was sad, not entirely. I wasn’t even sure what I was feeling anymore. All I knew was that my heart ached, not from leaving behind the life I had known, but from the things I didn’t say—the things I had run away from.Someone tapped me gently on the shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts. I wiped the tears away quickly, hoping whoever it was hadn’t noticed. I turned to see a kind face, a woman with dark, wavy hair and a soft smile. Her accent was unmistakable, e
Belle's POVThe low hum of the plane’s engine droned in my ears as I stared out the window, watching the clouds roll by like waves in the sky. I must have fallen asleep at some point because the next thing I knew, the sharp voice of the air hostess echoed over the intercom, announcing our arrival in Paris.“Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing shortly at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for arrival.”I blinked, momentarily disoriented, as I looked around at the other passengers beginning to gather their things. My heart raced a little, not from excitement, but from the reality that I was really here, alone in a foreign country, with no plan, no idea where to go or what to do next."Welcome to Paris." The lively French woman beside me, who had chatted my ear off earlier, smiled knowingly.I nodded, forcing a smile. "Thank you."Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Ah, you will love it. Paris is... how do you say... magical!""I hope so," I muttered
Zane's POV The road stretched ahead of me like a dark tunnel, the city lights blurring as I pressed the gas pedal harder, speeding through the empty streets. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles white as I tried to keep control. I wasn’t drunk! Well, not exactly. But I was driving like a madman, my mind spinning with thoughts of Belle.Kamille’s voice still echoed in my head. “Where did she go?” I had asked, practically begging for an answer. But she wouldn’t tell me, her face guarded, her words evasive."Zane, I can’t say. I promised her I wouldn’t." She had paused then, glancing away, clearly uncomfortable with how desperate I looked. “But if you’re still wondering where she is, don’t bother. By now, her flight’s already left.”The airport.That single word was like a detonator, setting off a series of emotions inside me. I’d left Zeke’s house without a second thought, speeding towards the airport, even though deep down, I knew I was too late. Belle was gone, on a fli
Dave's POV I sat in the dim light of my penthouse, staring out at the sprawling city below. It was supposed to be my wedding night. Instead of being with Belle, I was drowning myself in the second bottle of whiskey that I could barely tell what color the liquid was. The wine burned as it slid down my throat, but it did nothing to quell the fury boiling inside me.A few hours ago, I was supposed to become a husband, but now, I was sitting here alone, humiliated, insulted, and trampled upon by that bastard, Zane Caruso. Belle had run away, and somehow, Zane knew more than he let on. It didn’t add up. He wasn’t just helping her run—he seemed like he was involved in something deeper. I could feel it.I poured another glass and sat back, trying to piece everything together. Zane’s arrogance, his threats... Did he really know about Belle’s patient? The thought gnawed at me, making my skin crawl. If Zane knew, then he had leverage, and leverage was something I couldn’t afford him to have.J
Zane's POV I stormed into the airport, my mind racing with too many thoughts at once. The glaring lights and the bustling noise of travelers around me barely registered. All I could focus on was one thing—finding Belle. If I didn’t, the feeling gnawing at me told me I’d lose her forever. That was a possibility I couldn’t live with.I scanned the terminal, looking for the ticket office. The clock was ticking, and every second felt like an eternity. Where the hell did she go?Finally spotting the small office tucked behind a line of kiosks, I quickened my pace, hoping that somehow, I might be able to know where exactly she went before it was too late to board a plane. A woman with a neat ponytail and a bored expression sat behind the desk, typing away on her computer. I approached her, clearing my throat to get her attention.“Excuse me,” I started, my voice rushed, desperate. “I need to know the destination of the last plane that just left.”The woman looked up from her screen, eyein
Belle's POV I couldn’t sleep.No matter how much I tossed and turned, pulling the covers tighter around me, sleep refused to come. My mind wouldn’t shut off. It was like a tangled web of thoughts, each one more confusing than the last. Zane. The wedding. Kamille and Amanda. My family. It was all swirling together, a constant reminder that I had run away from everything, but it had followed me here, clinging to me like shadows in the dark.With a frustrated sigh, I threw off the covers and sat up, feeling the cool air hit my skin. The hotel room was quiet, but the silence felt suffocating. I needed to get out, even if just for a brief stroll. Maybe the cool night air would help clear my head.I slipped into the hotel’s provided robe and padded barefoot to the door, stepping into the hallway. It was dimly lit, with the occasional flicker of light overhead. I walked aimlessly until I found myself at the end of the corridor, where a small balcony overlooked the city below. I stepped outs