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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

last update Last Updated: 2024-08-19 15:07:36

Once we were in the car, Bryan started acting as our tour guide. Our first stop was the zoo. Bella’s eyes lit up as we walked around, looking at the animals. She pointed at the monkeys and giggled as they swung from the trees. We spent like an hour there before moving on to our next stop.

We decided to go to the cinema to watch a new cartoon that had just premiered. But as the movie went on, Bella ended up crying her eyes out because the female lead, which was her favorite, died. We spent about two hours there, and I started regretting bringing her to see it. Her crying drew a lot of attention, so I had to pull my hat lower to cover my face as I carried her out of the cinema.

"It’s okay, Bella," I whispered, holding her close as we walked out. "Your favorite character is still alive. That’s just a movie, not real life." It took a while, but I finally managed to calm her down.

Next, we headed to a playground. Seeing Bella running around, laughing, and playing brought me so much joy. It
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    Seeing Lance with Bella made my heart pound heavily and without thinking, I rushed over to their sides, pulling Bella away from him.“Haven’t I told you not to talk to strangers? Didn’t your mommy tell you the same thing?” I snapped, my voice trembling with fear and anger.“I’m very sorry, Miss Ariel, but he said he knows you,” Bella stammered.“Anyone can say they know me. But how do you know they’re not lying?”“He showed me your pictures in a wedding gown with him. You looked different, but I definitely recognized you,” Bella whispered, her words sending a chill down my spine.I glanced at Lance who wink at me and I find it hard to believe that Lance still had my picture. Mamita assured me she burned everything that was connected to him, including our photos. I definitely made sure nothing was left that could tie me to him. And now, he has our wedding pictures?Arrgh...This is a headache.The name I used when I married Lance was Maya Hendrix, a fake identity I created after my pare

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    His tongue slid into my mouth gently exploring and caressing mine and for a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the depth of his touch, forgetting everything that had happened between us—all the pain and heartache that I had gone through. I let myself be vulnerable, feeling the warmth of the man I once loved with all my heart.I was taken back to four years ago, to a time when I adored him deeply, when he was the only man that my heart beat for, the only man that looked good in my eyes.But as the kiss deepened, so did the memories of how he shattered my heart flashed through my mind and I remembered how he escorted Ashley out of his car, welcoming her in his home while leaving me in the rain, pretending as if I didn't exist. I remembered the heartbreaking pain that I went through when he divorced me and then my poor Bella…….No, I haven’t forgotten what he did to me! Fueled by the painful memories, I found the strength to push him away. My hands pressed against his ches

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    My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts and I quickly dip my trembling hand into my pocket to pull out my phone. Seeing my mom’s picture flashing on the screen, I took a shaky breath before swiping to answer. Me: Hi Mom. Mom: Sweetheart, where are you? She asked in a sharp tone as if she already knew where I was. Me: I… I’m just… (My eyes darted around, desperate for an excuse) I’m out. Mom: Don’t even try lying to me! I just blocked a picture of you and Bella circulating online. How many times do I have to tell you to keep her out of public sight? Didn’t I make myself clear enough? Me: Mom, I was just trying to cheer her— Mom: Trying to what Maya? Don’t you understand the damage this could cause? People are already curious about who she is. The more they dig, the more mess we’re going to have to clean up. Me: I know, Mom, but after what you did to her— Mom: Enough! That’s not your job! That’s Mia’s responsibility, not yours. You’re wasting time when you should be focusin

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