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,
BELLA“Gosh, I need to get this guy out of my head,” I muttered, half to myself, half to my friends as I scanned their faces for ideas.Dorcas raised a brow. “How about Painful Regret?”Before I could answer, Debby jumped in, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye. “No, let’s make it punchier. Something like Revenge on My Husband.”I nodded slowly. “Okay… I like where we’re going, but I still feel like we’re missing something.”Elowen, usually quiet, finally spoke up. “Why not My Lover Next Door?”“Wow,” I breathed, surprised by how creative they were. “You guys are brilliant. Alright, here’s what we’ll do: each of us will brainstorm our ideas. We’ll outline the plot, build out the characters, write some dialogue. Then we’ll share our progress in the group chat.”Debby raised her hand with a grin. “Where are we setting this?”“Los Angeles,” I decided, feeling a spark of excitement. “We’re going to make this script unforgettable.”Over the next two weeks, I barely slept. My mind buzze
DAVIDThis is crossing a line. I know how hard Bella has been working putting in late nights and doing everything possible to make sure she wins. Her presentation was impressive, but if I just hand her the win, people will start putting two and two together.I text her, lifting my chin slightly to catch her attention. The second she glances at her phone, a small smile curves on her lips. That’s my girl, I think, barely hiding my own grin. Bella didn’t even need her original work to knock this out of the park that’s what I call boss moves.BELLAAs soon as I feel my phone buzz, I glance down. A message from David reads, You’ve got this. You can present this without a hitch. I believe in you.The words sink in. No one’s ever really believed in me except Dad and Elowen. And now there’s David, practically a stranger, telling me he’s got my back.Then it hits me. Vivian. This is her doing. I swear, she’s not going to get away with this. I’m still fuming when David strides to the front of t
BELLA The room felt suffocating, the weight of unspoken questions pressing against my chest. I stepped out into the garden, the cool evening air offering little relief from the storm inside me. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the garden in a warm glow, but my thoughts were far from calm. From a distance, Jasper’s laughter rippled through the air, light and carefree. He crouched beside a patch of marigolds, meticulously arranging his toy trucks in neat rows. His small hands moved with focus, his head tilted in concentration—a gesture so achingly familiar, it stole my breath. I leaned against the gazebo, folding my arms as I studied him. Every feature mirrored my own: the same thick, wavy hair and almond-shaped eyes that seemed to hold the world within them. It was like looking into a reflection of my childhood. My chest tightened. Could it really be true? Could he be my son? I swallowed the thought before it could take root. No assumptions, not yet. Pulling my phon
DAVIDBella’s hand slipped into mine, her fingers warm, steady, like a silent anchor in the storm of my thoughts. I could feel her watching me, the way her breath held just a little tighter, as if she were waiting for me to reveal something important, something heavy. Her gaze was soft, patient, but her eyes those eyes were filled with questions. I had to tell her now, before the silence swallowed us whole.“I need to tell you something,” I began, my voice rough, like I hadn’t used it in years. I pulled in a shaky breath, trying to steady my nerves. “You know I’m Jasper’s biological father, right?”She didn’t flinch, didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she just looked at me, her brow furrowed slightly as if processing my words. Her lips parted, and I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes. “Yes, I know,” she said quietly, her voice betraying none of the surprise I felt. “Nobody knows except... well, except you. You’ve kept that part of your life a secret.”I swallowed, nodding,
DAVID “Who could that be?” I muttered, lowering Bella gently onto the bed. She curled into the sheets, her hair spilling over the pillow, her flushed face glowing with post-kiss warmth. My gut tightened, unease bubbling as I strode to the door.When I swung it open, Mrs. Williams stood there, her perfectly sculpted smile greeting me like a storm waiting to erupt. Her gaze flicked downward for a split second, and a mischievous glint lit her eyes. I didn’t have to look down to know what she’d seen.“Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” she said, her voice layered with mock innocence.Heat crept up my neck as I grabbed Bella’s pillow and shifted it in front of me. Her laugh was light but deliberate, like a dagger teasing its target.“Come in,” I said, stepping aside and silently cursing the timing.Bella appeared from the bed, her eyes widening in surprise as she rushed forward.“Mom!” she said, her tone a mix of joy and confusion.Mrs. Williams enveloped her in an embrace, smoothing do
DAVIDThe shrill wail of police sirens cut through the dawn, jolting me from my restless sleep. Groaning, I pushed the heavy duvet aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. A knock sounded at the door just as I raked a hand through my disheveled hair.“Come in,” I said, voice hoarse from sleep.The door creaked open, revealing one of the maids. She stood in the doorway, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.“Sir, the police are here. And, um… there are reporters outside too,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.Reporters? My brows furrowed as I processed her words. I remembered calling the police last night to pick up Western and Peter, but reporters weren’t part of the plan. Unless…“Alright, I’ll be down in a minute,” I told her. She bowed and slipped out quietly.Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I dialed the chief of police. He picked up on the first ring.“We’re at the gate,” he said briskly, his voice almost drowned out by the background chatter.“How d
DAVID“You see,” Peter said, his grin widening, his voice dripping with venom, “sometimes the monsters aren’t hiding under your bed. They’re sitting at the dinner table.”Elowen’s face froze, her breath catching in her throat. She looked at Peter, then at her father, who had shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Western’s usual air of defiance was nowhere to be seen; his gaze was fixed on the cold cement floor, his shoulders slumped like a man carrying the weight of his sins.Peter’s voice turned colder, sharper. “Where do I even begin? Should I start from before you were born, Elowen? Do you even know who your father really is? He kidnapped your biological mother. She never left his side never had the chance to because he made sure of it until the day she died.”Elowen stepped back as if Peter’s words were blows, her trembling hand pressed against her mouth. “What are you talking about?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.Peter smirked, his eyes glinting with satisfaction as he g
DAVIDThe sound of gravel crunching beneath the car tires faded as I stepped out into the cool night air. My guards hauled Western out of the vehicle, his body slumped but still exuding defiance. Shadows danced across his bruised face under the pale glow of the outdoor lights. Without a word, they dragged him toward the basement door, the sharp clink of their boots echoing against the stone walls.I turned to the maids waiting by the entrance. “Take Mrs. Williams to a guest room,” I instructed, my voice calm but firm.Before they could move, her soft voice interrupted. “Can I see Sofia before I sleep?”Her words tugged at something deep within me. Sofia. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to hearing Bella called that, even if it was her given name. I managed a smile, masking my unease.“I’ll bring her to your room,” I promised gently.She gave a small nod, her face weary yet hopeful, and followed the maids inside.Beside me, Janet shifted her weight impatiently. Her silence didn’t fool m
DAVID“If that’s the case, wait by the car. I’ll join you shortly,” I said, waving Janet and Elowen toward the door. Their hesitant footsteps faded down the hallway as I leaned back in my chair and exhaled deeply.Picking up my phone, I dialed John, my head of security.“I need you in my office. Now,” I said, my voice sharp.“Yes, sir,” came his immediate reply.Minutes later, a brisk knock echoed through the room.“Come in,” I called, standing as the door opened to reveal John. He stepped inside and gave a small bow, his expression calm but alert.“I need fifteen of our best men,” I said, walking toward him. “Make sure they’re trained to handle weapons. Bring the finest gear we’ve got bulletproof vests, high-grade firearms, everything. And prepare four bulletproof cars. We’re moving out soon.”John nodded, his posture rigid. “Anything else, sir?”“Yes,” I said, my tone grim. “This mission isn’t a negotiation. If anyone gets in our way, take them down.”“Understood,” he said, and with
DAVIDThe moment I slid into the driver’s seat, frustration bubbled over. My fists slammed into the steering wheel, and I let out a guttural scream that echoed in the enclosed space. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t the plan. Everything was crumbling, and Bella God, what would I tell Bella?The car door creaked as Janet leaned forward from the back seat, her touch soft but questioning.“What happened? Where is Mrs. Williams?” Her voice trembled with urgency.I clenched the wheel tighter, the leather groaning under my grip. The memory of the scene played over in my mind like a haunting reel. If only I had forced Mrs. Williams into the car earlier made her stay with Janet this wouldn’t have happened.“Western took her,” I finally spat out, each word like venom on my tongue.“What?” Her voice cracked, her face paling as her eyes searched mine for answers. “How is that even possible?”“There’s no time for explanations,” I said, my voice sharper than intended. “I need a solution
DAVIDThe room was eerily silent, the kind of silence that pressed against your chest. Bella sat curled on the couch, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. Mrs. Williams stood by the window, her arms crossed as she gazed out into the evening light, her expression unreadable. I leaned back in my armchair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. My patience was running thin, but I wasn’t about to show it.The sound of soft footsteps approached the door, and then one of my maids appeared. She bowed slightly before speaking.“Sir, there is a lady here. She claims to be ma’am’s friend,” she said, her voice measured but tinged with curiosity.A smirk tugged at my lips. So, Elowen finally decided to show up.“What’s her name?” I asked, sitting forward, my gaze sharp.“She said her name is Elowen. Should I let her in?”“Bring her in,” I commanded.The maid disappeared, and moments later, she returned with Elowen in tow. Her face, a canvas of shock and confusion, made it clear she hadn