(Bella)
My heart bleeds as I watch Dean storm off.
He's asking for a divorce, just like that?
How did we get here?
How did my life turn into a living nightmare in one day?
Those pictures, I mutter reaching out to them and picking them up one after the other.
Four different men that I've never seen.
It looks so real but I don't remember coming in contact with any of this men, not in my past and definitely not now.
Something is fishy but I can't seem to place my hand on what it is.
Whoever is behind this, just wants to break me and Dean apart.
But I won't let them.
"No," the word slips out of my mouth. "I won't give up on us just like that, I'm going to fight for my man, my marriage, what I have with Dean is worth fighting for,." I say, my voice firm as I dust myself up.
How do I go about it?
Dean is so angry, I doubt if he'd ever listen to what I have to say.
I need someone that can talk to Dean.
But who?
His mother?
I scoff at myself. Judy is the last person I should think of.
She has always hated me. She never wanted him to marry me. I wasn't good enough. An exotic dancer, a stripper who's family does not have a penny to their name. I sure didn't fit in to the kind of daughter-in-law Judy dreamed of.
But Dean didn't care about what she thinks. The love he had for me was too real, too deep, too passionate, he married me against his mother's wish.
And this two years up until now has been the best years of my life.
I let out a small sob despite my attempt to be strong.
I need to talk to someone, I can't handle this on my own.
Ashley comes to my mind, I need a friend more than anything right now.
We've been best friends for three years. She's someone I trust, someone that'd believe that I'm innocent of this accusation.
Quickly I reach out to my phone, sobbing quietly as I dialed Ashley's number.
My hand shakes as I hold my cell phone, waiting for her to pick.
It rings once, twice but she doesn't pick. She finally picks up on the third ring.
"Ashley," I call out, tears rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably.
"Bella? What's wrong?" She asks, her tone skeptical.
I take time to pull myself together and muttered. "Ashley, Dean wants a divorce," I blurted out.
"What?" She replies. "But why though?"
I sniffled back my tears. "It's not something I can discuss over the phone." I retort, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, are you home? I can stop by," Ashley says casually, there's just something off about her response but I don't take it to heart, she's probably as shocked as I am.
"Yes, I'm home," I mutter and she hangs up.
I pull the phone away.
I stand up and start picking up my clothes, arranging them back into the closet. I'm not giving up on my love for Dean.
I'd wait till he gets back home, maybe he'd listen then.
The doorbell rings after a while, I'm curled up to myself on the bed, crying my eyes out.
I drag myself out and head downstairs.
I open the door, and Ashley's standing there, unfazed.
Without hesitation I pull her into a hug, crying into her shoulder.
She takes time before she caresses my back.
I pull away and Ashley has a weird look on her face. "What happened?"
I take my time to explain everything to her, she holds up the pictures, an unreadable look on her face.
And then she turns to me. "Bella. You sure you don't know any of these guys?" she asks, her face plain.
I pause, raising an eyebrow. I don't understand why Ashley will ask me this?
Of all people, I thought she'd trust me the most.
But I guess I was wrong.
"Of, course I don't, Ashley. Why will you even ask me that?" I say, keeping my voice low, but the disappointment in my tone can be felt from miles away.
Ashley crosses her legs, unbothered. "Don't get me wrong, Bella. It's just that the pictures are too real," she says.
Okay, yeah she do have a point.
I nod. "Yes," I reply. "Someone's definitely behind this," I tell her, furrowing my eyebrows.
She adjusts on the couch. "So, what are you going to do about this?"
"I don't know, Ashley. That's why I called, Dean is so angry. My Dean can't even look at me, he wants me gone before he gets back,"
"Uhmm, that was quick." She mutters. "Look, Bella. If he doesn't trust you while not leave him?"
I roll my eyes at her. Honestly, Ashley's acting strange, this wasn't what I expected from her at all.
"Leave my marriage, just like that?' I shake my head. "I won't. I'm going to fight for our love,"
She cuts me off. "It's pointless, Bella. That'd agitate him the more, he can't possibly believe you with this proofs,"
I don't say anything, I just burst out into another round of tears, my eyes are puffy from consistent crying.
Ashley glances at her watch, she stands and moves over to me, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry about this, really. But as much as I'd love to stay, I can't. I have work, I'll stop by to check in on you later, okay?"
I look at her with eyes filled with tears and nod.
"Just call me if anything happens?" Ashley turns to her heels and walks away.
Usually, she doesn't mind staying longer in my house, but rushing off like that without showing any sympathy feels off. But my heart's too heavy to think about that right now.
I sit there, crying and dialing Dean's number. It keeps rin
ging but he doesn't pick. After several attempts it enters voicemail.
God. What do l do?
How do I prove my innocence?
(Bella)The doorbell rings and jars me awake. I fling my eyes open, pulling myself up from the couch.My back hurts..Just then I realize it's the next day and I had slept off on the couch waiting for Dean.This only means one thing, Dean didn't come home last night.The very first day he's sleeping out.My eyes hurts as fresh tears stride down my cheeks but the doorbell rings again, this time continuously.I spring up. It could be Dean.Quickly I move over to the door, and swing it open.My breath catches in my throat. It's not Dean.Judy, Elena and an older man. And then when she shifts, I spot Ashley standing right behind.Before I could process what's going on, Judy pushes me aside, striding in like the queen of England. Elena, Dean's aunt, gives me a horrific look as she walks in.And then the man and Ashley came in.Ashley casts me a weird look as she brushes past me.I step in. "What are you doing here, the both of you?" I'm forced to ask, as much as I'm exhausted, I can't let
(Bella)I shove the papers on the table and Judy picks it up, her hand running through the papers in excitement.A smile crosses her face as he mutters. "Finally," she turns to Ashley and Elena, giving them a knowing smile and then back to me."Alright. Let's wrap it up real quick. Go in there and pack your things. The buyers are waiting, hurry up Bella," she spat, crossing her legs and relaxing into the couch.I stare at her, all of them, sobbing my eyes out.Where do I go from here?My life has been centered around Dean. I drag my feet upstairs, each step feels heavier than the last. My heart torn apart as I packed my clothes, glancing around the house I'd started to set up as my forever home.The one I'd build a family with Dean and live happily ever after. Fresh tears came pouring out, my eyes feels so heavy, my chest too tight to breathe.Once done packing my personal stuff, I sit on the bed, thinking of where to go.I really do not want to bother Derrick but he'd be so mad if I
(Dean)"That's enough Dean!" Ethan says as he drags the glass away from me, eyebrows raised."You're only hurting yourself. Drinking won't solve anything," he retorts. "You need to go home and at least hear Bella out,"I chuckle bitterly. "And listen to more lies?" I blurted out. "Those pictures are all the proof I needed. She's a slut, Ethan."Ethan shakes his head. "This is quite confusing. Bella loves you, I'm sure.""Pretense, all pretense, man. She deceived me into believing that. But truth is, she still craves her old life, she wants to be out there fucking them dudes. She's on birth control, didn't want to ruin her perfect shape," I snap."My mother, Aunt Elena, they were right after all. Bella is a filthy slut, no redemption.""You're drunk, Dean. We need to get you home," Ethan says, skipping right past my tantrums.I scoff. "Home?" I laugh. "That's no home. She disgusts me, I can't even stand her," my phone insistently buzzes in my pocket, again, and again.I pull it out, an
Bella.It's been a week since the divorce and there has been no call nor text message from Dean.And each time I think about how easily he gave up on our love, it hurts me even more.I've tried to call him and everytime I do, it enters voicemail. Even Ethan's number hasn't been reachable as well.We're having a baby, one that we've always wanted and he doesn't even know.I've never imagined raising our child alone, never had to think about it and now it seems like that's becoming my reality. Dean is nowhere to be found, he hasn't reached out.It seems like I'm the only one half hoping to fix things somehow.I've been stalking our house for the past few days, waiting to talk to Dean but that gate has been closed, it just feels like I've been shut out of Dean's life for good.Judy wasn't bluffing about selling the house after all.My life has become a living nightmare.I instinctively rub my belly, I have a human growing inside of me, a baby to love me and me to love back.I don't even h
(Bella)"Sorry ma'am. But we've been asked not to let you into this premises," one of the security guards tells me.Is this a joke? I roll my eyes at him. "I'm here to see my husband!" I retort firmly. "I'm sure you know who I am?" "Of course we all do but please madam you have to leave now. I don't want to lose my job," he reply calmly, his tone pleading.I can't believe this, why would Dean give such orders. How did we get here?He disappeared on me, running away from problem and now he's restricting me?I could already feel tears forming in my eyes, waiting to spill.I turn to the guard again. "Please I have to see him. I promise not to get you into any trouble," I pleaded frustratingly.He takes a deep breath. "Trust me ma'am, if I can, you wouldn't have to ask twice." He says.I don't back down. "Please, just five minutes, it's important that I see him,""There's nothing I can do ma'am. I'm sorry you have to leave now,"I look at the guard again and he looked really sorry, like
(Bella)I step out of my ride, looking at the building in front of me, club forte. A place that used to be part of me till Dean showed up.I take a deep breath, putting my shades back on before walking into the club.I'd planned to come in time, if I hadn't, some of those weird and obsessed clients would've seen me.I walk straight to Jame's office and knock before letting myself in.A smile spreads across his face as I step in."Alright girls. We'll continue this later, I have an important guest," he smiles warmly at me, discharging the three girls. I guess they're newbies because I don't recognize any of them.They stand up, casting me a quick glance before they walk out of the door.James stands up, moving over as we share a quick hug. "It's so good to see you again, Bee. How long has it been?"I chuckle lightly. "It's been two years, James. Don't act like you don't remember,"He laughs briefly. "You know me too well. Don't you?" He retorts and then his face turns serious. "Why?" H
(Dean)In attempt to escape the nerve-wracking feelings, work had become my go-to, well even so more than usual.It's been roughly eight months since Bella signed the divorce papers and disappeared. And just like that I've spent the past months isolating from my social life and a little from the world."Can you put down that laptop for a moment, Dean. You've turned to a workaholic," Ethan says as he stepped into my living room.I don't reply him, I keep my eyes glued to my laptop, typing away.Ethan pours himself a drink and comes right back. "It's weekend, man. And you're still working your ass off," he teased.I pause a little, giving him a death stare but Ethan knows me more than anyone else.He furrows his eyebrows at me, this time he isn't about teasing me, he has this concern expression etched on his face."Look, Dean. If you think burying yourself with work is going to make you feel better, then you have to rethink, man." He says and paused. "It's been eight months and you're st
(Bella)"Mommy!""Oh, no," I mutter under my breath as I pause halfway up the staircase, laughing at myself inwardly at my poor attempt to tiptoe to my room unnoticed."Mommy you're home so late," Javier says."Were you trying to hide mommy?" I hear Jasmine's voice and her little flip flops behind me.And when I turned she has her tiny arms crossed while Javier is seated at the dinning table, looking at me with those adorable puppy eyes, and I sure as hell know where he got that from.Just then, Anne emerges from the kitchen, chuckling at the situation.I put on a smile immediately, knowing my babies won't stop asking questions if I don't answer.I walk over to Jasmine, bending to her level. "Of, course not, baby. Mommy is just a little bit tired," I replied, stretching my hand a little, just to sound convincing.Quickly I turned my gaze to Javier."I'm sorry I'm late again, sweety." I do feel guilty coming home late this past weeks but work has been pretty hectic.But then again, I ne
(Bella)I walk Calvin to the door after a casual visit.To be honest, I've been thinking a whole lot lately, Judy and Ashley's threat, Dean's revelation, it's been on my mind.Calvin turns as soon as he steps out of the door, facing me with a concerned look etched on his face. "Is there something on your mind, something you want to talk to me about? You've been too quiet lately," Calvin asks, holding my gaze.I shake my head slightly and forced a smile. "No Calvin, I'm fine." That's not true but I want it to be.Calvin holds my gaze for a second longer, I'm not sure he's convinced but then he drops it, much to my relief.He lets out a breath and replied. "Okay. Let's have dinner together tonight," he offered.I'm about to find a nice way to turn him down, my mind's unease to hang out right now.Calvin's voice comes through again, a lot softer this time. "Please don't say no, Bella. It's just my own little way of cheering you up," he retorts, offering a warm smile.I look at him, and h
(Dean)It's been days and I still don't know how to feel about the mean things Bella said to me.I thought mentioning the unsigned divorce papers will make her see things differently but I guess I was wrong.Yet again, she's proven to me that she never wanted to be with me.Why do I even keep trying?I mean, she cheated on me, deceived me but I'm the one who hasn't signed the divorce papers, who's been mooning over her and yet when I mentioned it, she showed no interest whatsoever in that.Like she didn't give a care in the world.I guess that did it for me.And now, I'm almost certain that I won't bother her again. I'm going to move on completely just like she has.I'd find the courage to sign the divorce papers officially and put everything behind me.So, throughout these days I've preoccupied my mind with work, attending more meetings than usual, my schedule has been a lot tighter, with barely a moment to spare for introspection.I even went as far as signing up for a gym membershi
(Bella)"Alright Mr Alfred, we'll be looking forward to doing business with you," Cynthia said, extending a hand to our new client.I nod with a smile, seemingly pleased with the outcome of the meeting."The pleasure is all mine," Mr Alfred replies with a smile, taking her hand.As soon as he walks out of the room, I turn to Cynthia, offering a warm smile. "You did great," I tell her."Thank you," she says in a dismissive tone, picking up her tablet to leave.I noticed Cynthia hasn't been as cold as she used to be towards me and that's a relief. Now, we can coexist as colleagues without any bad blood.So the thing is, she didn't answer my question that day, unlike Cynthia I know quite well, she didn't try to counter that, she simply walked away but not before I saw something flash through her eyes, which suggests that I might be right after all.~~I swipe my entry card and walk into my office, the meeting was a welcome distraction from the wheels turning in my head.The weight of Dea
(Dean)My phone rings and it's Humphrey calling. I click the green icon and press the phone to my ear."Yes?" I answer, sipping my coffee."Good day boss. The official document for the building has been finalized." He divulged, his voice crisp and professional.I bring the cup down. "Hmm. I see," I mutter."Yes, boss. Are you willing to retain the security officers working there?" He asks.I didn't even have to think. "Of course, everyone keeps their jobs," I reply."Alright noted sir. And the building inspection, when are you free?""Is there any need for that, Humphrey?" I ask, I have my decision of not showing up there in mind when I ask."Most definitely boss, it's one of your laid down policies before purchasing a property," Humphrey reminds me.I take a quick glance at my wrist watch, we still have time before my morning meetings. "Alright. Let's go take a look this morning," if l don't do that now, I'm not sure when it'd be.I'm about to hang up when I retort. "Oh, and one more
(Bella)Judy snorted. "That's bullshit! He's going to marry Ashley and your return won't stop that, I'll see that it doesn't," she spat, her voice shaking with anger.I laugh but there's no real humor in it. "Oh really?" I mock. "If you're so sure about that, then why are you here?" I ask, meeting her gaze with a hard look.She furrows her eyebrows at me, her jaw set in a way that tells me she isn't ready to back down. "To remind you of your place. And just so you know, that body can't get you, Dean, not anymore. You can only try. He's better off with Ashley, a more decent woman," she snaps."Is that so? I can try. Wouldn't even have to do too much. Don't you think so?" I smirked, my sarcasm cutting deep.Rebecca's nostrils flare, I could see her frustration bursting forth as she rolls her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous! You're not all that." She sneered, her voice steady but I can see the edge there."Well, If that makes you sleep well at night." I shrug her words off with a bored expres
(Bella)As l walk my way down the corridor, I spot Cynthia walking to her office, I quicken my step just to meet up.And most notably, she's been oddly calm, that's unlike her, she always seems to be at loggerhead with me, and doesn't fail to show just how much.Right on cue, I step in front of her door before she could touch the doorknob, she looks up at me, her expression blank.I drag in a sharp breath. "Look, Cynthia, about the other day, I'm sorry for snapping at you, it wasn't my intention to, I was just having a bad day," I apologize.She takes a step closer, her eyes narrowing at me and then she spat. "Your business, not mine. I don't care," she says outrightly but I know now that she usually doesn't mean what she says.And from what I'd observed, Cynthia wasn't best at showing emotions and she has a very strange way of showing empathy.She acts like she's bottling up so much, like something is eating her up. I'd like to think that her attitude towards me has everything to do
(Dean)"Make it make sense, Dean. You're not only stalking your ex-wife but a kid too? That's a little too much," Ethan says, eyebrows raised, like he doesn't get it."That's the point, Ethan. It's too much of a coincidence and no, I wasn't stalking the latter," I reply, my voice edged with frustration, as if trying to make sense of everything.Ethan furrows his eyebrows. "How so?""Okay, so I was parked a few blocks away from Bella's apartment," I say, giving Ethan a knowing look and then I continue. "And there he was, the cute little boy from the mall, walking side by side with a woman," I pause, the confusion creeping up my face once again.I look at Ethan. "There's another kid with them, she could pass for his twin, same height, they have to be twins, my guts tells me so but then the woman with them isn't the lady I saw with him at the mall the other day," I added.She could be their nanny, justifiably so but then that's not the nerve-wracking part.They're walking into the same b
(Bella)"Wait, you did?" Derrick raises an eyebrow as I hand him a glass of juice, while I settle into the couch just across him.The twins are out with Anne for a quick stroll around the estate while I'd promised to take them out to grab ice cream next weekend.I was just working on a new client's profile before Derrick came.I nod. "Yes, Rick. I just couldn't keep to myself anymore and if anything, Calvin doesn't deserve to be kept in the dark," I retorted.Derrick let out a long breath, almost in relief. "To be honest, that's just the right thing to do.""I know right. And Dean's been–," I pause, thinking my next words through.Derrick rolls his eyes. "What? Is he bothering you?" his expression shifts to that of concern.I suck in breath. "Not exactly, but he's been a little too much lately, dredging up the past, hurling hurtful words at me as if he'd planned to taunt me at every chance he gets," I reply but my voice has a sharp edge to it.Derrick's expression falters as he holds
(Bella)"Are you okay?" Surprisingly Cynthia asked as l walk down the hallway but l mistook her concern as she trying to pick a fight, like she always do.But I'm not about to engage her.I frown. "Not now, Cynthia." I said in a stern tone as I walk past her, my frustration simmering beneath the surface."Hey, I'm just trying to be nice here but you know what? Screw that," she spat, and next thing I heard the door of her office slammed shut.I ignore that, stepping right into my office, my chest tightening with an unbearable hurt.To think I convinced myself that I've moved past this, but there's never been a time Dean's words doesn't cut deep into my heart.And no matter how hard I try to act nonchalant, unbothered about his opinion of me, the hurt is still there. I want so much to be able to get over him completely.And I think I will need to get hold of all the emotions I'm feeling right now.It's not just hurt, it's even more of anger than hurt.A gentle knock comes to my door, cu