BELLATRIX.... The next day, I woke up with sore legs, a raspy throat, and a gleeful heart... I stretched my body before rolling over to my husband and hugging him. His huge arms wrapped around me as I lay on his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat. It was so peaceful, a dream come true. I never realized life could be so beautiful. Aside from stress, the pressure to fit into society, making the family proud, and fighting for their attention—which I have always received negatively—there were insults, mockery, and schemes... There was no kindness or delight in my life. But with Victor, those seemed just a part of life that gets suppressed by his love over time, healing my deeply wounded soul along the way. He knows that I met Florence yesterday; I did not attempt to hide it. However, he did not ask about it at all, which gives me a sense of freedom... He had given me space and trusted me enough to let me handle it on my own, which made me love him more. His hand was caressing my low
VICTOR.... I stood before Grandpa's lifeless body in the coffin... He was handsome as usual, a little pale though. It was still somewhat unbelievable for me that he is no longer with us... with me. His last words are still echoing in my ears... For some reason, now it feels as if he knew of his impending death. That strange desperation in his weak tone suddenly became clear to me. But now it's too late. I wish I had been beside him in his last moments. A hard lump is forming in my chest; it's so painful realizing that another of my beloved ones has left me forever. Sigh... I feel a soft touch on my hand; without looking beside me, I knew it was my wife. Honestly, if it weren't for her, I would have been broken quite badly. She is giving me her strength. It turns out that in giving me one support, God has taken the previous one. She silently holds my hand and leans on my arm. "He has worked hard for a long time; it's time for his rest," she whispers softly. "Hmm... He looks peac
VICTOR.... I stared at his back; soon, he disappeared into the crowd of people at the funeral. I frowned before getting inside the car. Bellatrix had witnessed all of it. She felt the strange tension within him too. "What is it?" Slowly, I opened the note: 'Tomorrow, at four in the afternoon, at Charlie's House, I will wait for you. Text me your answer if you can come.' "Who is Charlie?" I heard Bella's curious tone. "It's not really a person he meant; Charlie's House—it's a meatball restaurant a little way from the main city," I explained. Since childhood, I have seen Grandpa visiting Charlie's House at least once a month. Sometimes, he even took me with him. The owner, Charlie, used to adore us and respected Grandpa a lot. In Grandpa's heart, no one could make meatballs like Charlie, so no matter how far away it was, he would always visit. Although I have heard that a few years earlier, Charlie died. At that time, Grandpa was really sad. He had built a good bond with Charlie
VICTOR.... I froze, staring at the old man before me. "What about them?" I asked coldly, suddenly feeling insecure about his mention. What secrets could there be regarding my parents? Daniel's gaze lowered as he slowly brought out an envelope from his blazer pocket, placing it on the table before looking up at me, clear guilt lingering in his gray eyes. "Years ago, your parents died in a plane crash. You were a child back then—helpless and vulnerable," he spoke. "Master Ryder was broken too; he loved his daughter so much. Even though it was an accident, Master's mind couldn’t accept it. He had a doubt that it wasn’t just an accident, so he started investigating. I was always beside him and secretly ran the investigation for him and realized that..." He paused abruptly. I swallowed hard; my heart was tightening as I could guess his next words, and I wasn't wrong at all. "We realized that the master's doubts were true; it was a planned murder..." My breath stopped for a few secon
BELLATRIX.... When I woke up from sleep, it was midday, almost time for lunch... I stretched like a cat, rolling onto the bed before finally sitting up. I slept like the dead for almost twenty-four hours. It's quite unusual, but I have heard that for people who take a flight for the first time, it happens. Undoubtedly, my husband is at the office at this hour. Before he left this morning, I felt his kisses and heard "I love you" in my sleep. Although I couldn't reply, even in my sleep, it fluttered my heart. Getting off the bed, I walked directly into the bathroom, slipping my skimpy nightdress off my body, which perhaps my husband changed for me last night because, as far as I remember, I hit the bed without changing my dress after returning from the funeral. I brushed my teeth and entered the shower... Cold water slipped over my body, making me sigh in pleasure. After the shower, I stood before the bathroom mirror, drying my hair while my eyes roamed over the accessories placed
BELLATRIX.... My heart hammered within my chest as my eyes flew wide. Oh, thank God! I murmured in my head. If it hadn't been for Mathew, I might have been... "Ma'am!" a voice shrieked, and I froze. Right before me, I saw Mathew rushing toward me. Wait... If he didn't save me, then who did? Immediately, I pushed myself up onto my feet and turned to see the person, only to gasp. My eyes widened, and my hand flew to cover my mouth. "Roy!" I cried out in both mirth and shock. It's him! Roy Stafford! My best friend besides Stella and the only man I had ever been close to, except for Victor, and of course not in the same way as my husband, but as friends. "Oh my God!" I immediately hugged him, so glad and relieved to see him after five freaking years! "I cannot believe you are in front of me!" He chuckled. "Well, I am here now and on time, I guess." He patted my head. I broke the hug, looking him up and down. "When did you arrive in the country? How are you here?" I asked, still su
VICTOR.... I was devastated; the truth had ripped me apart somehow. The man I had trusted and always looked up to turned out to have lied to me for years. I was closer to Grandpa Gregory than to my paternal grandfather. Though he died when I was three years old, I don't feel that I could ever be as close to him as I was to Grandpa Gregory. Time used to fly when I was with him, and he loved me so much, always keeping me close to his heart. Well, I used to think that way until I learned the truth. When he sent me away from him, I was hurt. My life seemed to crumble all of a sudden. I don't know whether to be angry with him or to pity him. I used to think about how my little bird was so strong even after being ousted by her parents each time they chose Florence over her and never acknowledged her. Well, now I have a glimpse of that heart-wrenching emotion. Although compared to her pain, mine is nothing, I still feel like I am sinking into a dark ocean from which I might never return.
VICTOR.... I composed myself. "Baby, he might have work to do. Why don't we leave him alone?" "Leave him alone?" Bella frowned at me before her gaze fixed on Roy. "Are you that busy that you can't even spend some time with us? Come on, Roy, we just met today after so many years!" At this point, I really wanted to punish her so badly! "Well, you are right; we just met. I think I can keep the work aside for some time. A man shouldn't always be busy with work after all, right, Victor?" He arched a brow at me with a slight smirk, clearly challenging me. I gritted my teeth. "Of course, why not? Welcome to our residence, Roy Stafford." I had no choice; I didn't want to hurt my wife. "That's good!" Bella clasped her hands with a huge smile on her face. "I will go and inform Uncle Larry; we will have Roy's favorite dish today!" She left. Both Roy and I stood face to face, the smiles on our faces gone. I slowly walked toward him, neither of us breaking the gaze. "Do not come too close t