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
BELLA I caught a glimpse of David heading down the hallway, his figure casting a long shadow under the dim lights. My voice cracked as I called out, “David.” He stopped, his eyes searching my face as he hurried back to me. His hands found my face, fingers warm against my skin. “What happened? Are you alright?”A hard knot formed in my throat as I shook my head. “It’s… it’s my dad. He’s in the emergency room.” A single tear slid down, quickly joined by another. The words barely came out, my voice breaking under the weight.Without another word, David wrapped his arm around me, his grip steady. “We’re going,” he said, firm and resolute. He led me outside, instructing his driver, who pulled up to the curb within seconds. The ride to Hope Valley was a blur, the city lights streaking past, but David’s hand never left mine. The warmth of his fingers anchored me, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles.At the hospital, I rushed down the hallway, the sterile scent of disinfectant and the
BELLA"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely steady as she stared at me from her seat, an unnerving calmness in her eyes.She tilted her head, her lips twisting into a playful smirk. "Chill out, baby. Why so tense? I’m not here to bite you." Her gaze slid down to my trembling hands. "At least, not yet."A shiver crawled down my spine, and I took a small step back, watching her closely.She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Relax. I just came to talk. Nothing more...for now.""Whatever game you’re playing, leave me out of it." My voice sounded braver than I felt. "I don’t have any issues with you."Her laugh was cold, sharp, cutting through the room. "Oh, Bella, you had an issue with me the moment you decided to marry my man."My jaw clenched. "I never married your man. You chose his brother over him and walked away.""Well, well." She leaned forward, eyes glinting with something dark and dangerous. "Seems someone’s been doing their homework on me and David. So, tell me,
DAVIDThe thought of Lizzy getting anywhere near Bella or her father made my jaw tighten. My hands balled into fists as I paced the hospital corridor, glancing at the door to Bella's father's room.Lizzy knew. How she found out, I wasn’t sure, but I knew her games better than anyone. We had played them together once. My lips curled into a humorless smirk. You think you can outplay me, Lizzy? Try me.Pulling out my phone, I punched in the number for my head of security.“I need ten bodyguards here. Now,” I ordered, my voice as cold as the polished floor beneath my feet.“Yes, sir,” came the immediate reply before I ended the call, my grip on the phone still tight.BELLAThe soft click of keys stirred me awake. Squinting against the morning light, I turned to see David sitting beside me, his face illuminated by the glow of his laptop screen.“Good morning,” I murmured, my voice still heavy with sleep.His head lifted, and a slow smile spread across his face. God, that smile. It was the
BELLAMy fingers trembled as I picked up my phone. Enough was enough. I couldn't let Lizzy keep playing games with my life. She might think she was untouchable, but she was about to learn otherwise.The phone barely rang before her cold, clipped voice came through."Well, well. I didn’t think you had the nerve to call.""Why wouldn’t I?" My voice cracked with anger. "You’ve been pushing and pushing, and I’ve had it!"A low, chilling laugh came through the line. "That was your first mistake, Bella. You shouldn’t have called."I gritted my teeth. "What do you want from me?"She didn’t hesitate. "Simple. Divorce David. Get out of his life."My breath caught, but I refused to let her hear the doubt creeping into my mind. Did David even love me as much as I loved him? I shoved the thought aside and forced a sharp edge into my voice."Are you joking? You had your chance with him and threw it away. He’s mine now.""Yours?" Her voice was pure venom. "You really don’t know who you’re dealing w
DAVID The red code flashed on my phone screen. My stomach dropped. Without a second thought, I bolted out of the boardroom, ignoring the questioning stares from the executives around the table. My pulse raced as I gripped the phone, the hallway blurring around me. Bella.By the time I reached the parking lot, I couldn’t wait for the driver. Snatching the keys from his hand, I barked, “Stay here,” and climbed into the car. My tires screeched as I tore out of the lot, each second dragging as I sped toward Hope Valley Hospital.The sight of my bodyguards lounging near the entrance made my blood boil. They straightened the moment I arrived, but I was already on them, grabbing one by the collar.“You let someone into the room?” I hissed, my voice dangerously low.His mouth opened, but no sound came out. My slap echoed across the lot, his head snapping sideways.“I gave strict orders no one goes in!”The others stiffened, their faces pale, eyes downcast. None of them dared to speak.“Where
DAVID I was mid-conversation with my assistant when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen, and my stomach twisted. Lizzy. Of all people.Reluctantly, I swiped to answer. "What do you want?"A laugh crackled through the line. "Well, well, D.D. You actually picked up.""Didn’t think you had the nerve to call," I shot back, my voice cold."Oh, come on, D.D. She’s been pushing my buttons. I just want to show her who’s in charge." Her tone was light, but I could hear the venom lurking beneath.I clenched the phone tighter. "Listen, Lizzy. Don’t mess with my wife. Don’t even think about it.""Your wife?" She snorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You don’t seriously mean to call her that, do you?""This is your final warning." My words came out sharp, clipped.Her laughter rang out, dark and unsettling. "D.D., you’re mine. Always have been, always will be. And I’ll make sure she’s gone for good." The line went dead, but her sinister laugh lingered in my ears.I exhaled slowly, shovi
BELLA I blinked against the harsh white light overhead. The sterile scent of disinfectant burned my nose. Where was I? My gaze darted around the room, landing on a figure by the window. David. His posture was rigid, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. Even from here, I could feel the storm brewing inside him.The memory slammed into me like a wave. Lizzy. My father. The syringe. My chest tightened as I tried to push myself upright, but a sharp, pulling ache kept me pinned to the bed.“David,” I whispered, my voice barely audible beneath the hiss of the oxygen mask.His head snapped around. In a heartbeat, he was by my side, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Bella,” he said, his voice low and rough, “don’t try to move. Are you okay?”I nodded weakly, too overwhelmed to do more.My thoughts raced. Where was my father? Was he safe? What about Julie? How many days had I been here? I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Frustration clawed at me.David’s hand envelop
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