Chapter 5: The Hidden Life of David Copperfield

ADAM BELLA

"David Copperfield? Wait, is this the David Copperfield? Don’t tell me it’s who I think it is!" Elowen’s voice shot up an octave, and before I could react, she was spinning around the room, practically bursting with excitement.

I rolled my eyes, fighting the urge to strangle her with a pillow. "If I said it wasn’t him, would you calm down?"

She froze mid-twirl, her excitement dissolving into an unnerving seriousness. "Which David Copperfield?"

I sighed, defeated. "The CEO of Copperfield Group. That David Copperfield."

Her reaction was immediate. She lunged toward me, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe. "I can’t breathe," I wheezed, and she finally loosened her grip, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Oh my God!" she squealed. "Did you kiss him? What’s it like being face-to-face with David Copperfield? What about his girlfriend? Why did he marry you?" The questions spilled from her lips like an avalanche.

I raised my hand to stop her. "We didn’t kiss," I muttered, the memory of him placing his finger on my lips flickering through my mind, the faint scent of roses still haunting me. What are you thinking, Bella? Snap out of it!

Elowen’s grin widened. "Oh, babe. You’re so thinking about him, aren’t you?"

I avoided her gaze, afraid I’d spill everything if I looked into her knowing eyes. "I’m not thinking about him," I lied, hating how weak my voice sounded.

She propped her chin in her hand, a smirk tugging at her lips. "So, you’re sure you don’t like him? At all?"

"Absolutely not," I shot back. "He’s rude, arrogant, and impossible."

"So you are thinking about him," she teased, her grin now stretching from ear to ear.

I groaned, sinking back into the couch. "When are you ever going to be serious?"

"Okay, fine, fine," she said, sitting next to me, her expression softening. "But if he’s not your husband, then what do I call him?"

I glared at her. "He’s not my husband," I snapped, jumping up to pace the room. "This is just a stupid contract marriage."

Elowen tugged at my shirt playfully, pulling me back down. "You’re sure it’s just that? No strings attached?"

I sighed. "Yes," I said. "It’s complicated, but... I had to. It’s for my dad." I explained everything—how David had asked me to marry him, how I’d met Cynthia, and the odd, frigid air between them. Elowen gasped, her eyes widening as I recounted the moment I agreed to the marriage.

"Wait what of Lizy?" she asked, her voice lowering. "His girlfriend?"

"I asked him about her, but he didn’t answer," I confessed, the weight of uncertainty settling on my chest.

Elowen pursed her lips. "And that doesn’t worry you? Something doesn’t add up here, Bella. This whole thing feels off."

"I know," I admitted quietly, sinking into the chair. "But we need the money. We can finally afford the treatment for my Dad."

Her expression softened, and she reached out, patting my shoulder. "You did what you had to do. But... don’t let your guard down. Something tells me Copperfield isn’t done with his surprises."

I gave her a small, uncertain smile. "Don’t worry. I’ve got this."

She grinned, shaking her head. "Let’s not think too much about it right now. You’re married, babe. That’s worth celebrating."

As she grabbed a bottle of wine from the kitchen, my phone buzzed with a notification. I glanced at the screen, and my heart skipped a beat. David Copperfield married to a mystery woman no photos of her.

I clicked on the headline, my stomach twisting as I read the comments.

"Who does she think she is, marrying David Copperfield?" one read. "She’s a boyfriend-stealing nobody."

I felt a lump form in my throat. "A boyfriend snatcher? Really?" I called out to Elowen.

"Ignore them, babe," she said, peeking over my shoulder and reading the comments. "They’re just jealous. Half the women in this city would kill to be in your shoes. You know that."

I sighed, setting my phone down. "I don’t know if I can handle this..."

"Hey," she said firmly, tilting my chin up. "You’ve faced worse than a few online trolls. Besides, no one even knows what you look like. You’re in the clear, for now."

I nodded slowly, trying to convince myself she was right.

"My phone rang, waking me up, a strange number flashing on the screen."

"Hello?"

"My driver is waiting for you downstairs. You have ten minutes."

Before I could reply, the line went dead.

Great, I thought. He’s bossy even over the phone.

"You’ve got ten minutes," I muttered, jumping out of bed and shaking Elowen awake.

She sat up groggily. "Go take a bath. I’ll pack your stuff."

Minutes later, I was rushing out of the bathroom, throwing on clothes while Elowen zipped my suitcase. "He’s driving me crazy already!" I groaned.

Elowen laughed as we hurried downstairs. The driver greeted us, taking my luggage. I hugged Elowen tightly before stepping into the car.

As we drove off, I glanced back at her waving figure. The life I’d known was slipping away, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold onto it much longer.

The mansion loomed ahead, grand and imposing as we approached. When we arrived, several maids stood outside, welcoming me in. The house felt even more intimidating in the daylight, its towering iron gates and ivy-clad walls casting long shadows in the afternoon sun.

Inside, the opulence was staggering marble floors, gold accents, and chandeliers that seemed too extravagant for a place I would call home, even temporarily.

Just as I was trying to take it all in, David appeared, holding the hand of a small boy.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Dad, who is she?" the boy asked, his voice soft.

Dad? I stared at David, the word echoing in my head. David Copperfield has a son? What else is he hiding?