Bella stood up and made their way to her room, she had just changed her mind and would not be saying the secret out here. Instead, she's going to wait till when the event will be held, so she can use the opportunity to disgrace and Zara to shame. There's no way Clara will allow her to continue being married to her son after going through so much humiliation. This is just the best form of punishment she can give to her.She picked up her phone and put a call through to one of the IT hackers she knew back then in college. He's going to be the one to help her with this."Hey, how are you?" She asked him as soon as the call got connected. "You are calling me today, what exactly do you need? This is unusual of you to do unless you need something of course, so I'm listening to you. What do you need?" he asked and Bella frowned her face. Of course, the guy was right about what he just said but, she couldn't care less about what he just said. As long as he helps her with what she wants."You
Daniel dropped the phone and was mad, he couldn't believe she planned on using and discarding him just like that. Well, he knew she was going to do something like this so he prepared for her. She seriously will not believe what is about to hit her.He made his way to his computer and quickly unlocked a file, he then forwarded the file to his phone and Bella's phone as well. He sat back on the chair with a smirk. Now she's going to come running to him for sure and he can't wait to treat her just the way she deserves. Bella stood by the window thinking of the next line of action, so she made her way to lay on the bed. Suddenly she heard a beep on her phone and checked to see who had messaged her. She saw it was from an unknown source and wondered what kind of message that might be, she just hoped it was not some virus trying to find its way into her phone. She clicked on the message and found it was an audio message, she frowned."What is this?" She asked herself and clicked on the mes
"You know exactly what I want, just make sure you are here to give me what I want. That's all, I will text you an address in the next few minutes. Be there by seven this evening or I'm going to send all of that evidence to your beloved man and trust me. You are not going to like any bit of it," He said and disconnected the call. She frowned as she dropped the phone from her ear."That foolish idiot, what the hell is wrong with him? If he thinks he has me wrapped around his fingers then he must be the most foolish person I have met in my life. This is only going to continue for a little while. I have to find a way to get rid of him as soon as possible." Bella said and walked into the bathroom to take a shower. She needs to take a bath to be able to get all of these terrible thoughts off her headThat evening, Bella dressed up and made their way to the place where he would be meeting with Daniel. It happens to be a reserved lounge, he's not going to ask her to sleep with him right away
Bella got home and met everyone at the table. It seems to be a late dinner tonight as everyone is still eating their food. She walked past them without saying any greetings at all, she's so angry and pissed right now that she doubts if she will be able to say anything right from her mouth."Bella!" Fred was the one that called and she didn't have any choice but to answer to him. "Is there something you want? I'm sure you are having a swell time with your wife here. That has nothing to do with me so I will just leave this place right now." Bella said and was about to walk out of the dining room but she was stopped again by Fred. "Well I don't know what's wrong with you but you seem to be in a bad mood this evening. I guess we will see tomorrow then, I just wanted to tell you that your mom and dad called and they want to know how you are doing. You should call them Bella, they are really worried about you." He said and she nodded her head. She doesn't like speaking to her parents, the
Bella fled the lounge angrily, her stiletto heels striking the marble flooring with every stride. It was a high sound that mingled with the distant wave of music coming from the main bar. And she could still feel the snake-like touch of Daniel on her skin, with his voice droning on in her head. “$1 million” he had said as if she was a bottomless pit of money and she would part with it without a second thought. Believing that Daniel was now irrelevant, at least for her, was difficult. She made a fist, nails digging into the skin below, and exited through the double doors into the cool muzzle of the evening. The street was calm and the noise of the traffic was limited to the fleeting presence of the few cars. Bella inhaled deeply, attempting to shake off all burdensome thoughts. But she still snapped back to the man who was inside and how somehow, he managed to coerce her entire life around him. “Not for long,” she muttered, only audible to her. Bella was about through with him. She ha
A peculiar sense of renewal filled her, though it intermingled with the dread of permanence. Daniel was gone. He was no longer in the position to hurt her, menace her, or disrupt her day-to-day existence. But at what price? She had crossed a line, one that could be unsaid but had been said. And that line weighed heavily on her. This was the first time in several days, sleep found her without effort. Beneath the eyelids of darkness- guilt had ceased to exist and there were no agonizing nightmares, pure fatigue devoid of images filled her instead. Time passed by, and at last, Bella’s life started feeling somewhat in control. Fred had no clue about any of it, and Linda had not mentioned Daniel again from the time of that awful night. Bella was in the clear, or so she believed. One evening, when she got back, she noticed an envelope addressed to her on the doorstep. She looked around, her heart racing as she moved her hand to grab it. There was no name, no return address, and no postmar
Bella shivered as the words echoed inside her head. She felt as though she was in a glass box, like a mouse in a maze with no way out. “So, how do we do this? How do we win?” Linda leaned in closer, a gleam that was both deadly and attractive in her eyes. “We play them out. Whoever it is, they have their eyes on you and are waiting for you to mess up. So, we flip the script. We make it so that they have to come for us.” Bella frowned for a moment, a flicker of paint looking optimistically within her. “How?” Linda put her glass down and a wicked grin appeared on her face. “We will bait them. We shall go within the waters. But to go fishing, we need a fish. Something or someone that would have to come out silencing all fears and complaints.” Bella’s pulse quickened as she understood Linda’s plan. “You mean… me. Do you think I should act as a decoy? No way” Linda simply agreed with her, although her grin was much wider now. “Exactly. But you will not be on your own. I will ensure we
The picture’s borders were crumpling in the face of her tightening hold, still, she couldn't release it. Her head was a tumult of thoughts as she went through every utterance the man-made, in her mind, that was, even those with hidden meanings and threats. This was not merely some alien out to settle old scores. They were a set of individuals, well connected and with resources ready to threaten her. A feeling of nausea began to creep in on her: they had planned on turning her into a tool. They were not just seeking to extort her or reveal her misdeeds. No, they wanted her for them, in a wretched way that involved her doing unimaginable things under their direction. It was all in that man’s voice and that unsettling poise he held. She was no longer any person with options, existence, or hope for a tomorrow thanks to her actions. She was just a piece in their game. The atmosphere was heavy and suffocating, weighing down on her like water while she might be submerged underwater. Bella m
Fred was laughing when his phone rang, but the moment he answered, his face turned serious."Fred, this is Detective James. I've got some news. We have Hailey, her mother, and Bella. They're all in custody."Fred's eyes grew wide with shock. "What? How in the world did you guys find them?"The detective chuckled. "Let's just say we had some good leads. They're in the process of being booked now."A wave of relief washed over Fred. "Thank God. Thank you, Detective.""We're not done yet, Fred. We still need to question them and get to the bottom of this. But for now, you can rest easy knowing they're off the streets."Fred nodded, even though the detective couldn't see him. "I appreciate it. Please keep me updated."As he hung up, Fred turned to Zara and Clara. "It's all over. Hailey, her mother, and Bella are behind bars."Tears brimmed over in Zara's eyes. "Oh, thank God. Our kids are safe."Clara smiled, her face carved with relief. "This is the best news we could have asked for."Fr
The booms of the police sirens in the warehouse were getting closer now. Clara was holding her daughter-in-law Zara's hand very tightly to soothe her."Help is here, Zara, just hang in there." These words repeated for a while produced from the lips of Clara, firm but quaking with emotion.Zara's eyes fluttered closed, her face going white and sweaty. Clara missed one heartbeat, not even daring to go to the worst place in her mind.But then Zara's eyes flickered open again, and she fixed them onto Clara. "Clara. Lo siento. I didn't mean to put you in danger."Clara was crying now, blubbering, the tears cascading down her face. "Don't say that, Zara. You're going to be fine. You're going to pull through."The medics burst past Clara, utterly focused on Zara. Clara stood, staring, while they dropped down to her level and pinned the wound on Zara's neck, then pulled her up onto the gurney.She gripped Zara's hand tightly in her own, behind her back in the ambulance, praying that with ever
"I have to go in there, Clara, for I have to find out what's happening to my girl. The silence—it just kills me."Clara's face set in a stubborn cast. "No, Zara, I cannot let you in there on your own; it's dangerous."Zara was indecisive. Her mind knew Clara was right, yet on the other hand, she simply could not do this. "Clara, please, I gotta do this. I'll be okay."Clara just shook her head. "But I'm not going to let you go in there alone. What if Bella is dangerous? What if she unmans you?"Zara let out a melodramatic sigh at that one, knowing against all her credibilities that Clara wouldn't."Okay. But you have got to promise me one thing. You have to stay way back and let me handle it. I don't want you under attack because of me."Clara's expression had softened, but her voice did not relent. "I'll stay behind, but just because you promise me one thing- you're going to be careful, and if things get out of hand, you get out of there, period."Zara nodded. Clara, she knew was o
Reaching the bottom step and hearing the 'click' of the sound of the hardwood floor beneath her boots, she entered the living room, where Clara was already seated sipping at a cup of coffee."Hey girl, you look fabulous," she told Zara, placing her cup on the table.Another added booster of her confidence made her smile. "Thanks, Clara, I am feeling rather good today."Clara nodded solemnly. "Yes, we need to find a way to talk about Bella. I was just trying to clear my thoughts and jot down in writing some thoughts on how we would start in dealing with the whole issue."Zara nodded as she got seated on a small stone beside Clara. "I am all ears. Let's hear it all."There she was, deep in conversation, when through the door in came Fred-torn, untidy in his appearance. "Hey guys, sorry to interrupt, but I was thinking of something since you're going out, would you like me to make some lunch for when you get back?"So, forthwith, a smile flitted from Zara, quite touched at Fred's caring
"Me neither. It's like she just snapped or something."Clara held her eyes, concern etched on her face. "Do you think Fred's plan for helping her is a good idea?"Zara hesitated, having known otherwise what to respond to. A part of her wanted to believe that Bella could be salvaged, that she wasn't beyond redemption. Another part of her was just plain terrified, scared of what Bella might do next."I don't know, Clara," Zara said finally. "I want to believe that Bella can change, that she's not beyond help. But at the same time, I'm scared. I don't know what she's capable of."Clara nodded with understanding. "I think so too. But do we not have to try, Zara? For Fred's sake, if nothing else."Zara nodded, her emotions oozing with an air of resolution. "You are right. We have to try."Just then, Fred came downstairs. His eyes were tired, but there was a determined look in them. "Guys, I've been thinking. I know how we can reach Bella."Zara and Clara gave each other a hopeful look. "Wh
As Fred was lost in the thought that it might be possible for Bella to change, Zara grew tense in his hand. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly and gently full of concern.Fred was unsure of what to say to Zara about his plan; he just felt undecided. But something in her soft voice just made everything all right. "I have been thinking," he began, his voice barely above the whisper. "I probably could help Bella. I probably could get her the help she needs."Zara's face contorted in incredulity. "Fred, we have talked about this. Bella's beyond help. Toxic, she will bring you down with her."Fred nodded, realizing Zara's concern was founded. But he couldn't help that feeling inside him, telling him he needed at least to try. "I know, but what if I can reach her? What if I could help change her?"Zara heaved a deep sigh and searched his face for an answer. "You really would risk everything, wouldn't you, for her?"Fred nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. "I have to t
Fred trudged up the walkway, his feet heavy with the weight of his conversation with the detective. He had been hoping to find some way to help Bella, but now he wasn't so sure. As he reached the front door, it swung open and Zara stood before him, a look of concern etched on her face."Hey," she said standing aside to let him in. "How did it go?"Fred sighed, rubbing his temples. He didn't know how to summarize the complicated emotions swirling inside him.A seemingly sympathetic frown was creasing Zara's face. "That bad, huh?"Fred nodded, and he felt an immense weight being lifted, just being near Zara made things better.Zara softly closed the door as he entered inside, then leaned back against it, crossing her arms. "So, did you get to speak to her?" she asked softly.Fred's eyes dropped, his mind flashing back to the conversation with Bella. He hadn't expected her to be so. unrepentant. So uncaring."Yeah," he said at last, voice barely above a whisper. "She was vile like always
Fred asked the detective, "Is there a way to protect her? I don't want anything to happen to her."Detective Mathew's eyes became wide with shock. "Protect her? Mr. Fred, she's the one who has been causing harm to others. Why would you want to protect her?"Fred's expression turned grave. "She's like a sister to me," he said. "I am responsible for her, and I don't want anything to happen to her."The surprise on the detective's face slowly gave way to comprehension. "I see," he said. "Well, Mr. Fred, I can offer her protection while she's in custody, but once she's released. I'm not sure what we can do."Fred nodded, his eyes full of concern. "I understand. Just do what you can, please."The detective nodded. He looked so contemplative. "I'll see what we can do, Mr. Fred. But I have to ask, are you sure you want to do this? She's caused a lot of harm to people you care about."Fred's jaw clamped down tightly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Positive," he said. "She's like a sis
Fred's eyes never left Bella's face and a mixture of shock and sadness was written all over his face. "Everyone, please leave us alone for a minute," he said in a whispered tone.The detective had looked indecisive but nodded, gesturing to his officers to leave the room. "We'll be right outside, Mr. Fred," he said.As the door shut behind them, Fred turned back to Bella. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice trembling. "How can you say that?"Bella laughed coldly and mirthlessly. "You don't get it, do you?" she spat. "You never have. You've always been so blind, so oblivious to everything around you."He took a step closer, his hands extending toward her. "Bella, please. just tell me what's wrong. What have I done to hurt you so?"Bella's eyes suddenly flashed with anger, and she rose to her feet, her body etched with tension. "You want to know what you have done?" she repeated. "You want to know the worst thing you've ever done to me?"Fred nodded, his heart beating in his chest in