BELLA My heart hammered as I cradled Jasper on my lap, his little head already drooping with exhaustion. Had I really seen her? That smirk… the chill it sent through me still lingered. Lizzy. Here. I glanced out the window, as if I’d spot her lurking in the shadows. I just needed to get home, to feel safe, to call Elowen and unravel this dread coiling inside me. She’s the only one I can talk to. As soon as we stepped inside, I saw David. Normally, his presence threw me off, made me feel… watched, almost. But now? My focus was on Jasper. Without a word, I let him go as he dashed to David, throwing his arms around his father’s legs. I barely glanced their way as I slipped upstairs, my hands shaking as I grabbed my phone and dialed Elowen’s number. "Babe, what’s up?" Her voice was a balm of familiarity, though her tone held a tinge of worry. "I’ve been trying to reach you! Your number wasn’t going through. I was about to storm your house, but, you know… your husband.” “Elowen, i
DAVIDI wasn’t going to let Lizzy or my brother ruin this. They’d already destroyed enough. As my phone vibrated with Grandpa’s message, inviting me to dinner, I felt a surge of unease. Had he discovered that Eden was back? This dinner might be my only chance to find out.Eden. His name alone sent a chill down my spine. He didn’t need to hurt me physically; he knew exactly how to twist the knife in my weaknesses. If he learned about Bella about what she was starting to mean to me I had no doubt he’d use it against me. I clenched my jaw. No, I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t afford to be careless.With a sigh, I dialed Bella’s number. She picked up on the second ring, her voice sharp and guarded.“Hello?”“We’re having a family dinner tonight,” I said, keeping my tone brisk. “Be ready. We’re leaving in three hours.”She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice was laced with tension. “Okay, I will.”It stung, hearing the coldness in her words, but I knew I deserved it. I’d push
BELLAI could feel the fear in Mrs. Thalassa's eyes, her discomfort palpable as Eden’s presence hung in the air like a storm cloud. His sudden return had everyone on edge, and as I tried to steady myself, my thoughts kept circling back to one question: Was Eden really David's brother? Was he truly her son? My heart raced as Grandpa’s voice cut through the silence.“What are you doing here?” Grandpa's voice thundered through the room, his displeasure evident.Eden smirked, unfazed by the harsh greeting. “Is this how you welcome your grandson, after all this time?” He looked over at Mrs. Thalassa. “Besides, this is my home now, right, Mom?”“Have a seat, son,” Mrs. Thalassa said, her tone soothing, trying to defuse the tension.Eden’s gaze turned to me then, lingering for a moment before he spoke again. “So, we have a new wife here. You look beautiful,” he said, his voice smooth, but there was something sharp in the way he said it, like a hidden jab.“Thank you,” I replied, my eyes brie
DAVIDWho does she think she is, coming back now, after all she’s done? And with my brother, of all people.I was lying on my side, replaying every betrayal, when another message from her buzzed on my phone. "Dd, can we let go of the past? I still love you."I laughed, a cold sound in the quiet of my room. Bella was everything she wasn’t genuine, beautiful, with her own spark. This woman thought she could just waltz back into my life? Not a chance.Exhausted, I let my head hit the pillow and closed my eyes. I must have drifted off because the next thing I knew, my phone was ringing.“Sir, your attention is needed in the office urgently,” my assistant’s voice said, tense and out of breath.What could be so important that it was worth interrupting my hard-earned sleep? I could tell from his tone that something was off, so I pulled myself out of bed, threw on some clothes, and drove to the office.When I arrived, I found him pacing outside my door, his expression uneasy.“What’s wrong?”
BELLAThe air outside was thick, and my legs felt like lead as I forced myself to keep moving. Somewhere behind me, David’s assistant was calling my name, his voice drowned out by the weight pressing down on my chest. I kept walking, hoping that if I went far enough, I’d leave behind the image of them David and Lizzy, locked in that kiss.Somehow, I ended up at the park. The sound of children’s laughter cut through the evening, bright and carefree. I watched them race across the playground, tumbling over each other and shrieking with joy. My heart clenched. I wanted that freedom, that innocence the kind that didn’t have to worry about betrayal. I sank onto a bench, staring at the sky as it darkened. The evening chill crept in, wrapping around me, and I hugged myself tightly. What was I even thinking? I’d barely known David a few months, yet somewhere in my foolish heart, I thought he might actually care. But there was no mistaking what I’d seen. He loved her always had, probably alwa
BELLAA soft knock pulled me out of sleep, and I blinked in the darkness. Elowen was beside me, whispering urgently, “Bella, get up.”I groaned, burying my head in the pillow. “What, Elowen? Why are you disturbing my beauty sleep?”She rolled her eyes. “Trust me, it’s not me. Just look out the window.”I dragged myself up, yawning, and peered outside. A row of sleek black cars lined the street below, headlights beaming like spotlights. My heart dropped. David. I glanced at Elowen, my eyes wide.“How does he know I’m here?”She shrugged, arms crossed. “You tell me.”I was still trying to process when the pounding started on the front door, each bang rattling the walls.She shot me an exasperated look. “If your crazy husband breaks my door, you’re paying for it.”“Don’t tell him I’m here!” I hissed, darting to the wardrobe, heart thumping. I barely had time to close the door when I heard David’s voice, low and furious, fill the room.“Where is she?”“She’s not here,” Elowen said, her to
DAVIDBella held the invitation in her hand, her eyes flickering with a hint of excitement as she scanned over it again. She hadn't looked this animated in days, and I could practically see the decision cementing itself in her mind."I'm going," she announced, her tone carrying a determination that made my jaw clench.I forced a nod. "Fine," I replied, though irritation prickled at the edges of my voice. I couldn’t keep the frustration from simmering just below the surface, even if I knew there was no stopping her.Without another word, Bella turned and made her way to her room. "I have work to do," she called over her shoulder, her pace quickening like she needed distance before I could respond further.The door clicked shut behind her, and I turned to my assistant, who’d been standing nearby, taking notes."Where’s the reunion?" I asked, keeping my tone casual, though I couldn’t hide the hint of urgency in my question."I’ll find out, sir," he replied with a nod, flipping through hi
BELLAI knew what he was capable of as he walked toward me, his eyes dark with intent. My heart raced as he came closer, standing right in front of me. I met his gaze, pleading silently, but he ignored my look, his expression unreadable.“Babe, hope nobody’s stressing you,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. The room grew tense as his words echoed, drawing all eyes to us. I swallowed hard, wishing he wouldn’t make a scene. David was bossy, sure, but showing it off here, in front of everyone it wasn’t what I wanted.I felt my pulse quicken, wondering if he was about to do something unpredictable.He reached out, took my hand firmly, and with a commanding glance around, he announced, “I’m sorry, guys, but I need my woman with me right now.” His tone was final, almost daring anyone to object. A few people looked away, unsure, while others exchanged shocked glances. Only Elowen, my friend, beamed at me from across the room, her eyes sparkling with approval.Then Sharon sneered, he
BELLAThe chill of David’s voice froze the air around us. "What is he doing here?" His tone was sharp, commanding, sending shivers down my spine. He stepped forward, shoving the man away from me with a force that made him stumble."David…" I began, but the fire in his eyes silenced me."Stay away from my wife," he barked at the man. The sheer venom in his words made the stranger take a step back, his confidence visibly shaken."I-I just met him here," I stammered, my voice barely audible. "He claims to be my boyfriend." But why was I explaining myself to him? Shouldn’t he be the one answering for his actions?David turned to me, his piercing gaze locking with mine. "Get in the car," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.Before I could process what was happening, his hand wrapped around my wrist, and he pulled me toward his car. His grip was firm but not painful, his touch burning through my skin. He didn’t even glance at me as he drove, the tension in the car suffocating.
DAVID“How could this happen?” Grandpa’s voice thundered through the study, the vibrations seeming to shake the very walls. His face was red, veins bulging at his temple as he paced like a lion in a cage. “You’re supposed to be smart, David. How did you let this happen?”I couldn’t meet his eyes. The weight of my mistake hung over me like a storm cloud. “I’m sorry, Grandpa,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.“Sorry?” He stopped pacing and stared me down, his piercing gaze making me feel like I was shrinking. “Sorry doesn’t fix this. You’ve dragged our name into the mud. Fix it! Clean up this mess before it destroys the family name,” he snapped, his voice cold and commanding.“I will,” I said, bowing slightly, more out of habit than respect, before leaving the room.The heavy oak door clicked shut behind me, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. My shoulders sagged, the weight of his expectations pressing down on me. As I moved down the dimly lit hallway, the
DAVIDThe grand hall seemed colder than usual, the air thick with tension. My family was gathered, their expressions a mixture of confusion and dread as Lizzy stood there, a smug smile playing on her lips. How did she know about the family dinner? She had no business being here. Her confidence irritated me as much as the sinking feeling in my stomach. Janet caught my eye from across the room, her raised brows and smirk silently taunting me. *I told you so,* her expression seemed to say. My chest tightened. Lizzy was trouble trouble I thought I’d left behind weeks ago. I glanced at her again, but she met my gaze with an unsettling boldness. She was toying with me, and I hated that she felt she could. “Why are you here?” my mother’s voice broke the silence. It wasn’t just a question; it was a challenge. Her tone was razor-sharp, and she wasn’t hiding her disdain. Lizzy smiled sweetly, her head tilting slightly. “Oh, Mom, aren’t you happy to see me?” Her saccharine tone was lac
LIZZYThe click of my stiletto heels echoed in the quiet room as I paced, the plan forming clearly in my mind. Three weeks. It had been three weeks since David and I had slept together. It was time to make my move. My lips curled into a smile as I tapped my manicured nails against the countertop.A fake paternity report.David wouldn’t be able to deny it. He’d walked right into my trap that night, drugged and defenseless. Now, he’d have no choice but to accept responsibility. Bella might still be in the picture, but with this bombshell, I’d tear her away from him.My thoughts were interrupted by the door slamming open. Michael stormed in, his face red with anger. “You told me Bella would be mine!” he barked, his voice raw with frustration. “But instead, she’s still with David protected by that damn Copperfield family!”I sighed dramatically, turning to face him with a smirk. “Calm down, Michael. These things take time. Bella isn’t invincible.”“Time?” he shouted, his fists clenching a
DAVIDThe word "divorce" fell from her lips like a sharp blade, cutting through the room. My breath hitched, but I kept my expression stoic. Divorce? She had no idea what she was asking for. No idea what we’d been through to get here. Her memories were gone, sure, but that didn’t make her any less my wife or the mother of the child growing inside her.As she backed away from me, her arms crossed over her chest, I noticed the way her lips trembled, the anger barely masking her confusion. She didn’t trust me. I couldn’t blame her. I’d failed her before, and the damage Lizzy caused was now etched into the cracks of our fragile life.But I wasn’t about to let her walk away. Not now. Not ever.“You’re pregnant,” I said, my voice calm but firm, watching as her wide eyes darted to mine, a mixture of shock and disbelief flashing across her face.“What?” she whispered, backing up until her legs hit the edge of the couch.I stayed where I was, giving her space. “You’re carrying my child. That’s
BELLAHis lips were still red from where I bit him, and he had the audacity to stare at me like I owed him something. Did he really think I’d let him kiss me just because he claimed to be my husband? I crossed my arms tightly over my chest and turned away. Richest man in the city or not, he wasn’t my type.Before I could stew in my frustration any longer, the door creaked open, and a woman walked in. She was younger than I expected, her face fresh and her posture formal, but the bow she gave me made my jaw tighten.“Hello, ma’am,” she said with a respectful nod.Ma’am? Ma’am? I blinked at her, my stomach knotting. She couldn’t be more than five years older than me, yet she spoke to me like I was her elder. But before I could respond, another realization struck me.What was my name?I gasped, a cold panic washing over me as my mind turned blank. Nothing. Not a single memory to hold onto. My chest tightened, my hands trembling. Who was I?“Are you all right, ma’am?” the woman asked, her
DAVIDI sat by Bella’s side, watching her chest rise and fall with the steady rhythm of her breathing. She looked so fragile, her face pale against the stark whiteness of the hospital sheets. My heart clenched. She was my Bella the woman I’d fought so hard to protect, and now the mother of my unborn child. The news of her pregnancy had hit me like a bolt of lightning.I should have been elated, but instead, guilt gnawed at me. How could I expect her to be happy about this? She didn’t even want me near her. Every time I reached out, she recoiled as if I were a stranger or worse, a monster.Desperate for answers, I grabbed my phone and scrolled through her contacts until I found Elowen’s number. Her best friend. Maybe she could help. I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the call button. Would she even pick up?When the line connected, her voice came through soft but cautious. “Hello?”“This is David Copperfield,” I said, my voice firm despite the tension in my chest. “I need to ask you s
DAVIDThe moment Bella’s name left my lips, it felt like the air had been sucked out of the world. My legs moved before my brain caught up, sprinting after her as the memory of Lizzy’s touch burned like acid on my skin. The streetlights above flickered faintly, casting jagged shadows as I stumbled forward.“Bella!” I called, my voice raw and desperate. My heart pounded like a drum, fear clawing at my chest. Then I saw it headlights. A car hurtling toward her fragile frame, her silhouette frozen in its glare.“NO!” The word tore from my throat, but the night swallowed it whole.The screech of brakes came too late. The car hit her, the sound of the impact like thunder ripping through the stillness. Her body flew into the air, limp and weightless, before crashing back down with a sickening thud. The driver didn’t stop. The car sped away, its taillights vanishing into the darkness, leaving nothing but Bella’s crumpled figure on the cold pavement.My knees buckled as I reached her. “Bella,
LIZZYI watched David stagger, his hand gripping the edge of the table as if it might stop the spinning in his head. His usually sharp gaze was unfocused, his breaths shallow. A slow smirk curled my lips. The drug was working perfectly.As I stepped closer, he tried to push me away, his movements clumsy and weak. “Who are you?” he slurred, blinking as if trying to clear the fog clouding his mind.“Shh,” I cooed, my voice soft yet dripping with venom. “You don’t need to fight it, David. Just let go.”“Don’t don’t come closer,” he muttered, stumbling back a step. His attempt at authority was laughable now.“Oh, David,” I said, my tone mockingly sweet. “You can’t resist me. Not tonight.”He shook his head as if trying to shake off the haze, his jaw tightening. “Get out of my sight,” he growled, though the bite in his voice had dulled to a whimper.I laughed softly, the sound echoing in the silence of the dimly lit room. “It’s no use pretending, David. You need me, whether you want to adm