DAVIDThe flash drive felt heavier in my hand than it should, as if it carried the weight of the secrets I wasn’t ready to face. My fingers trembled as I slid it into the system.The screen flickered to life. An old video, grainy and worn, played. It was him my father’s steward, his face lined with worry.“Mr. David,” his voice cracked. “I’ve waited for you. I thought you’d come earlier, but… I can’t wait any longer.” He swallowed hard, eyes darting off-screen. “If you’re watching this, it means I couldn’t answer your questions myself.”The man’s gaze hardened. “A group of thugs started following me. I knew my time was up, so I ran to your grandfather. Gave him the key to this mansion and the safe.” His voice broke. “I died protecting you and your mother… fulfilling the promise I made to your late father.”A tightness gripped my chest as he continued.“I found something a pen in your dad’s car the day he died. It’s your weapon against Eden. But I lost the main record trying to keep it
BELLAI scrolled through the files Elowen had sent a series of damning photos and videos of Roy. Each image tightened the coil of anger in my chest. My fingers trembled, but not from fear. No, this was something else. You made me into this, Roy. I hope you’re ready to face the version of me you created.Elowen called again. “I can post it for you,” she offered, her voice steady and determined. “No need to get your hands dirty.”A small smile tugged at my lips. That was Elowen always protective. “Thanks, but this is my fight. I need to do it myself.”“Just… be careful, Bella,” she said, her tone softer now. “If something happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”“Relax, Mom,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ve got this.” I ended the call before she could protest further.Sitting at my desk, I created a new anonymous account. No digital trail, no breadcrumbs. The post went live a snippet of Lizzy’s illicit life for the world to see.Let’s see how you play this game, Lizzy.I
BELLAI stood frozen, the weight of my father’s words pressing down on me like a collapsing building. My hands trembled as I wiped my damp eyes, trying to grasp the reality he had just laid before me.“I’m not your biological father,” he had said.The words echoed in my head, each syllable slicing through the fragile threads of my understanding. I moved closer to his hospital bed, my knees weak, my heart hammering against my chest. This had to be a mistake. Maybe the illness had clouded his mind.“Dad,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Let me call the doctor. Maybe… maybe you’re confused.” I took a shaky step toward the door.“Bella,” he called, his voice firmer than I expected. “I’m not confused. I’m telling you the truth.”I turned back, my breath catching in my throat. “Why now? Why tell me this now?” I asked, my words laced with disbelief. “Why couldn’t you just” My voice broke. “Why couldn’t you just keep it to yourself? If you’re not my father… then who is?”I sank to the floor,
BELLADad looked so fragile lying there, his chest rising and falling with a rhythm that didn’t match the chaos in my head. His words played on repeat. I found you.The necklace. The one he mentioned when I was younger. It was with me when he found me. My fingers itched to search for it, to find something anything that could give me answers.I barely noticed the door opening until I felt David’s arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.“You shouldn’t be here,” he murmured against my hair. “You should be resting.”“My dad’s awake,” I whispered, clinging to him like a lifeline.“I know.” His hand slid up my back, grounding me. “The doctor told me. I came as fast as I could.”His warmth surrounded me, but it wasn’t enough. I needed air. “David… I can’t breathe.”He loosened his grip, stepping back just enough to study my face. “Sorry.”I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I want to be discharged.”His brows knit together. “Why?”“I’m just tired of being here,” I said, forcing
BELLA“I’m just worried about you, Bella,” Elowen’s voice crackled through the phone, softer now, almost pleading. “I don’t want you to get hurt. You’re my friend. I just… I want the best for you.”I stared out the window, watching the trees blur past. Her words hung in the air, heavy with something unspoken. I wanted to believe her God, I wanted to believe her but something didn’t sit right. She’s my best friend, my sister in every way but blood. We’ve been through everything together. She even walked away from her wealthy family to live an ordinary life with me.I took a slow breath, forcing calm into my voice. “It’s okay, Elos. I won’t go any further if it makes you uncomfortable. I know you’re just looking out for me. That’s what friends are for, right?”A pause. Then, “I’m sorry, Bels. I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”“I know,” I whispered. “I’ll head home.”I ended the call, the weight of her words pressing down on my chest.“Ma’am, are we going back home?” the driver a
BELLAI stared out of the car window, my fingers tapping against the screen of my phone. I’m on my way home. I sent the message, but my thoughts drifted elsewhere. Elowen’s sudden change in behavior gnawed at me. She was hiding something I could feel it.“Ma’am, we’re home,” the driver’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.I stepped out of the car and paused. The maids were lined up outside the mansion, their heads slightly bowed, with Jasper standing proudly in the center. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and before I could process what was happening, he sprinted toward me, wrapping his small arms around my waist.“I missed you!” he said, his voice muffled against my coat.Warmth spread through me. “I missed you too, my little popcorn,” I said, lifting him off the ground.As we walked inside, I glanced back at the line of maids. “Why are they all standing there like that?”Jasper grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I arranged it. I wanted to give you a grand welcome home.”I bli
BELLADavid’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I’m heading inside. Dinner will be ready soon. Eat something and rest we have a long day tomorrow. We’ll visit the museum and figure out more about the symbol on your necklace.” He handed it back to me, his fingers brushing mine briefly.I nodded, watching him disappear inside. Elowen’s face filled my mind. Could she be hiding something from me? No. We’ve been friends forever she’d never hurt me. Would she?The question lingered like a dark cloud, keeping me awake long after the house had gone silent. When sleep finally claimed me, it felt like only seconds before Julie’s voice broke through.“Good morning, ma’am,” she said softly, drawing the curtains open. Sunlight poured into the room, making me groan and pull the blanket over my head.“Mr. David is waiting for you downstairs.”I stretched, the ache of rest clinging to my muscles. It had been too long since I’d slept this well. But today wasn’t a day to linger. The museum. The truth.
DAVIDBella’s hand rested in mine, small and cold, her fingers limp against my palm. The museum doors creaked shut behind us, but she hadn’t said a word since we left. Her silence weighed heavier than any conversation could.The betrayal hung in the air between us Elowen’s cryptic words about Bella’s parents. I’d seen the flicker of hope in Bella’s eyes, the quiet trust that someone she loved might hold the answers.I tightened my grip, grounding her. “Elowen might have her reasons,” I said, more to myself than her. Reasons don’t matter if they break her.Bella’s lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to speak, but she only exhaled.Her innocence made her a target a trait that drew people in and gave them the perfect opening to hurt her. And they did. Time and time again.I would make sure this time was different.My phone buzzed in my pocket, a vibration that pulled me from my thoughts. I slipped it out, glancing at the screen.Sam.“The Roy family is here,” his voice crackled throug
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