BELLA A granddaughter? Who were they kidding? The idea of giving them a child, especially when their son was a complete jackass, made my skin crawl. I couldn’t even picture David touching me, let alone starting a family with him. As I glanced at him, David casually responded to his mother, "Yes, we will soon have a daughter."My heart skipped a beat. Was he serious? My thoughts spiraled—had he forgotten this was all a charade? As I struggled to process his words, Mr. Copperfield’s voice broke through the haze."And how is Vivian?" he asked, his tone light, though the question hung in the air like a weight. "Why isn’t she here with us?"David’s jaw tensed. "She’s fine," he said, his voice flat, not bothering to hide his disinterest in the topic."You’ve always been like a big brother to her," Mr. Copperfield continued, his eyes resting on David. "That’s why I trusted you to look after her. Her mother asks about her all the time."Her mother? I blinked, confused. Why hadn’t I heard abo
BELLA As soon as we arrived home, David silently lifted Jasper from my lap, carrying him to his room without a glance in my direction. Left alone in the stillness, I let my thoughts whirl.The Copperfield family… they’re absolutely insane.I was still lost in thought when David’s driver approached me. "We’ll be heading to Miss Thalassa’s home at 10 a.m. tomorrow," he informed me.I nodded absentmindedly. "Okay," I replied, though a flicker of uncertainty gnawed at me. I was his assistant now, wasn’t I? Shouldn’t I be at the office?Needing clarification, I made my way to his room and knocked softly."Come in," his voice called, steady yet detached.I stepped inside for the first time, taking in the stark contrast of his space book-lined shelves and workstations, all cold and impersonal. A place for everything, except warmth. I realized just how little I knew about David beyond his public persona as the ruthless billionaire.“Do you need me for anything tomorrow? I’ll be at your mothe
BELLA I couldn’t tear my eyes from Veronica, standing quietly beside Mrs. Thalassa, her posture almost robotic in its obedience. My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me out of the trance. Glancing at the screen, I read the message: We’re having a workers' trip.“What?!” The word escaped far louder than I intended. Immediately, I cringed, realizing I wasn’t alone.Mrs. Thalassa arched a brow, her lips curling into an amused smile. “What’s the matter, angel?”Embarrassment washed over me. A trip wasn’t worth screaming about, no matter how exciting.“We’re having a workers' trip,” I repeated, trying to sound calmer.Her smile widened, and her tone was laced with playful curiosity. “A trip, hmm? Then we must prepare. Let’s make sure you have everything you need.”I blinked, surprised by her sudden interest in fashion. Mrs. Thalassa could outshine any designer, no doubt, but her attention to me was unsettling.The day turned into a whirlwind of shopping. By the time I returned home, exha
BELLAI stared at him, my heart heavy with disbelief. Why would he want to announce our marriage? I’d wanted it to stay a secret, to keep it hidden from everyone. It was better that way dating David, of all people, came with complications. This was exactly the kind of stunt he’d pull.“Fine, I’ll come with you,” I muttered, my voice laced with irritation. Without waiting for his response, I spun on my heel and headed to my room, slamming the door behind me. My hands were trembling as I tossed clothes into a bag, each movement rough and frustrated.In the car, I stared out the window, my mind racing, already planning how I’d slip away as soon as David left me at the camp. But suddenly, the car slowed, and I noticed David signaling the driver to stop. Confused, I glanced at him as the car came to a halt.“You can get out,” he said, his voice calm, too calm.My brows knitted together. “But… I’ll have to walk an hour to get there,” I protested, the disbelief thick in my voice.He just shr
DAVIDThe anger simmered within me, a deep, restless rage. Who dares disturb my moment of peace? It was the one thing I absolutely loathed. Just as I was about to kiss Bella, lost in the warmth of her body, a loud knock on the door shattered the moment.I swung the door open, ready to unleash my frustration, and found my assistant shifting nervously, eyes wide with apprehension. The glare I shot him could make most people cower.“Sorry, boss, I didn’t mean to disturb your—”“Disturb what?” I interrupted, my voice sharper than intended. My patience was thin, fraying at the edges.“You have a visitor,” he said, barely above a whisper.My heart sank. The moment of intimacy with Bella faded away. “Who is it?” I demanded, irritation bubbling over.“It’s me,” a voice called from behind my assistant. I stepped aside, and there stood Mike, Lizzy’s younger brother. The sight of him twisted a knife in my gut. What was he doing here?Anger surged through me, memories of betrayal flooding my mind
BELLADavid’s words lingered in my mind. “I won't bring you to the public unless you want to.” He said it so casually, but the weight of it hung in the air, like a truth neither of us dared to acknowledge. I stayed quiet, letting it simmer.Our trip was supposed to be relaxing, but my thoughts kept circling back to that man who’d soured David’s mood. Who was he, really? Even as I laughed with David along the shore, I sensed a shadow in his eyes a tension he couldn’t hide.Back at home, the atmosphere was heavy. I couldn’t just ignore it anymore, so I dialed Elowen.“Elowen, remember the guy from our trip? The one who got under David’s skin?”“Oh, I remember him alright,” she replied. I caught myself before calling David “my man,” realizing how natural it felt. “Can you look into him for me?”Elowen paused, curiosity in her voice. “Since when are you this invested?”“Just… something about him seemed off.”“Give me a bit. I’ll dig around and call you back.”Jasper’s small voice suddenly
BELLA The smooth, low timbre of his voice drifted over to me, sending a shiver down my spine. “Babe, come here.” Did he just call me… ‘babe’? I glanced over my shoulder, my pulse quickening as David’s gaze sharpened on me. My skin tingled under his intense stare. Slowly, I stepped away from Mike, drawn by an invisible force as David’s hand snaked around my waist, pulling me close with surprising strength. His grip tightened, and a sharp twinge made me wince. I tried to pull back, but his hold only grew firmer, possessive. “Why are you here?” David's voice cut through the room, cold and clipped as he stared down Mike, who only smirked, unfazed. “We aren’t enemies, brother,” Mike replied, his tone casual, almost taunting. David’s jaw clenched. “Who gave you the right to enter my office?” he demanded, his voice a low, controlled fury. Mike shrugged. “I used to come here all the time when we were close. Or have you forgotten our past?” David stepped forward with deliberate, almost p
BELLAGosh, it’s true I’m supposed to be winning over Vivian, but here I am, tangled up with his brother. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but the guilt settles like a stone in my stomach.A call from Elowen jolts me out of my haze. “Aren’t you coming to the office today?” she asks, her voice expectant. I’m fumbling for an excuse when David smoothly takes the phone from my hand, his gaze fixed on mine.“She’s on leave,” he says, calm but firm.There’s a brief silence, and I can almost sense Elowen’s confusion. “Okay… Sir,” she replies, her tone wary.As I stand to leave, a sharp pain shoots through me, and David’s arms are around me before I can protest. Without a word, he lifts me and carries me into a luxurious en-suite bathroom I hadn’t noticed before. Setting me down, he tilts his head, his lips curving into a smirk.“Need help with your shower?” His eyes gleam with mischief.My pulse quickens, but I manage to shake my head. “No, I can manage.” I step into the shower,
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