I stared at the blood beneath me, my entire body frozen. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst.
“Help! Somebody, please help!” I screamed, my voice breaking and echoing into the empty forest. No one answered. No one ever looked back until the last guest disappeared from my sight. As if to make things worse, I heard the cracking sound of thunder through the skies, immediately followed by pouring rain that drowned out my cries. My hands trembled as I pressed them to my stomach, tears streaming down my face. “No, no, no,” I whispered, shaking my head. My breaths came in short, shallow gasps as fear hooked me. I grabbed my phone, dialing Leo with shaking hands. It rang once, twice, then straight to voicemail. My stomach sank. He wasn’t coming. I decided to text him instead, ‘Leo I’m bleeding , I need help.’ For a moment, I just sat there, helpless and scared. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe through the pain. “You can do this,” I whispered. My voice was shaky, and I didn't want to think about why I was bleeding. Using a tree trunk for support, I dragged myself to my feet. Every step was more painful than the last, but I pushed forward, all I had to do was get to where the cars were parked. My dress grew heavier as the rain soaked through it. I stopped in my tracks when I reached the parking lot, my heart sank. The car I came in was gone. Driven away. I looked around, we'd come to the forest for this wedding so, there was nothing around me but trees for miles. I swallowed, knowing I couldn't give in now. I couldn't even find the strength to cry, how was I going to get out of here. I had no choice but to keep walking, hoping to reach the roadside. Maybe someone kind enough would stop and help me. The blood soaked through my dress as I moved. I pressed my hand against my stomach, tears finally slipping down my cheeks, blurring my vision. “Hold on,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure who I was talking to—myself or the baby. It felt like hours before I finally reached the hospital. The nurses rushed toward me, their faces were either filled with shock or pity. "Help me," I gripped onto the nearest nurse, "please... My baby," I shook my head fast, "please save my baby," I said through heavy breaths. She wasted no time in rushing me to the emergency room along with her colleagues. I couldn't think of anything else at the moment, except my baby. They got rid of my dress and switched me into a hospital gown. My phone still didn't ring yet, Leo was yet to return any of my calls even though the moon was up by now, and he hadn’t responsed to my texts either. I let out a gasp when I got the notification that he had read the messages but he didn’t reply. My heart shattered. The nurses seemed to hurry around and I felt some type of hope. But it was all gone when the doctor finally came, his expression was grim. He stared at some file in his hand and not even meeting my gaze, he addressed me. “You lost the baby,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry. You came too late.” The words hit me like a blow. My knees buckled, and I sank into the chair behind me. The tears I’d been holding back poured out, uncontrollable. For a moment, the world blurred and I felt like I was all alone in that hospital room. My head dropped to my knees that were pulled against my chest. I buried my face in my palms, my hands shaking as I wailed. The doctor glanced at me, his tone shifting from sympathy to something colder. “You should’ve come sooner,” he said. “You have to be more careful. If you want to be a mother, you can’t…” He didn’t finish, but I felt the judgment in his voice. The nurses exchanged glances, their pity was literally piercing my skin. I heard one of them whisper, “Her husband didn’t even come with her.” I couldn’t blame them for their thoughts. I didn’t even look like a bride, much less a mother. My dress was ruined, my jewelry forgotten, and my heart shattered. I pulled out my phone again, desperate for some comfort. ‘I had a miscarriage,’ I told him, and just like that he read it. I stared at the phone in surprise, surely now he would call me. But minutes passed and he didn’t say a word. Then, as I sat there in the quiet of the hospital room, I saw him. Leo. He was walking towards my ward, his familiar silhouette so close I could almost touch it. My heart leapt. He came. I pushed myself off the chair, ignoring the dizziness and hurried toward the door. "Wait! You're not supposed to walk yet!" A nurse called after me but I ignored her, almost tripping over twice as I made my way to the door. I didn't care, I needed him, and now. I hurried after Leo, my heart pounding. By now he'd gotten rid of his tie and his always perfect hair was now in a ruffled mess. Was he that worried about me? Despite myself, I found hope in that. Of course he was worried. I held on to the walls as I tried to walk, limping from the sharp pain I still felt in my lower abdomen. "Le-" I started to say before trailing off. I stopped in my tracks, as I saw him disappear into another ward.I resumed walking slowly and my confusion soon turned to dread as I reached the door and peered inside. My hands fell limp to my side and the color drained from my face. Stella’s laughter reached my ears first. She was lying on the hospital bed, she didn’t look sick one bit but she smiled as Leo fussed over her. He adjusted her blanket, brushed her hair away from her face, and spoke to her in a low, tender voice. So he was here this whole time, while I cried alone, and wanted to die, he was here with her, ignoring my calls, my messages, leaving me in the dense forest alone struggling to live. Tears stung at my eyes and I couldn't bring my feet to move. My heart sank further when I saw what he held in his hand—the ruby necklace. My grandmother’s heirloom. He placed it gently around her neck, his fingers lingering just long enough to make my stomach twist. Stella’s face lit up with joy, and she touched the necklace like it was a treasure. The way they looked at each other—it
As I walked out of the ward, I expected to hear his voice, to listen to him call me back, to hold my wrist and stop me, to ask me what bullshit I was doing.But he didn't.He let me walk out of that room without looking back.Once I was out of the ward, a sarcastic smile spread across my lips as the tears continued to pour down my cheeks, "what were you expecting?" I almost laughed at myself.I wasn't Stella, so why would he pull at me like I mattered?*I flinched at the loud thunder rumbling as soon as I stepped outside the hospital room.The rain pouring right after was soaking me to the bone.The nurses had pleaded with me to stay, citing my condition, but I couldn’t. Not with Stella just down the hall, basking in Leo’s attention. Not with Leo’s indifference cutting me deeper than any physical pain.I signed the discharge papers, ignoring the doctor’s concerned look, and stepped into the storm. Looking like a lunatic in a hospital gown and barefoot in the rain.None of the taxis
Two years later Leo pov Dennis knocked softly on my office door, peeking in. He cleared his throat as if he was trying to announce his presence. “Mr. Rathore, it’s time for the business banquet. The car is ready.” I adjusted the cufflinks on my shirt. “I’ll be down in five," I said, without looking up. "Yes sir," my assistant nodded before taking his leave. I slipped my suit on, got to my feet after closing the laptop on the desk and headed towards the door. The secretary—her name escaped me—followed me as I stepped out of the office. She walked quickly, her heels clicking against the floor with every step. Her dress was bright red, tight, and it showed off her curves. It looked like she was trying a little too hard for an office outfit. Her lips were painted the same bold shade, matching her dress perfectly. She kept her expression focused, but there was something off about it. Her eyes flicked over me, not just looking at my face but taking in everything else, too. As she
Bella pov My eyes were fixed on the man I thought I would never see again, his assistant guiding me through the crowd at the banquet. His eyes were locked on mine, I couldn't read what his expression was, but I knew he was astonished. He looked the same as the last time I'd seen him, if anything he looked more handsome than I remembered. My eyes were locked on him but just before I reached his side, I saw her. Stella. Stella stepped in front of Leo, smiling brightly, she seemed to have aged in such a short time. Stella turned to me and froze. Her eyes went wide, and she took a step back, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Bella?” she whispered. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say more, but nothing came out. She didn’t hesitate. Her hand rested on his arm, and she looked at me with that same smug, condescending smile. "Leo, I was waiting for you to join me," Stella said, her voice dripping with sweetness, her gaze never leaving mine. I couldn’t stop
The shock on Stella's face is something I wish I could capture. Her jaw dropped opened, her eyes shot open wide and her face paled. Leo didn't peel his eyes off me as he left her side, leading the way. Her piercing eyes followed our steps until we were completely out of sight. Even I was taken aback by Leo's behaviour. His assistant attempted to follow us but he clarified, "alone," causing his assistant to nod and step back. I turned to Ryan, mouthing a 'I will be back'. "Okay dear," he said with his intense gaze fixed on Leo, "Jack and I will be waiting in the car." With that, Leo took me all the way to his office in the banquet. We were barely a few steps in, when he shut the door, grabbing me by my wrists, and pinning me to the wall next to the door, holding my hands by the sides of my head. I was surprised but did well to conceal it. I tilted my head to the side, raising one eyebrow, "what do you think you're doing Mr Rathore?" I raised a brow at him. "Where were
I stared at Leo, my knees still planted on the cold ground beside my grandmother’s tombstone. My eyes widened in shock, did he hear everything?I swallowed hard, pushing myself to my feet. “What are you doing here?” My voice came out colder than I intended.Leo crossed his arms, his suit pristine despite the damp air. “I could ask you the same thing, Bella.” His tone was low, calm even, but I could hear the edge in it. His confusion gave me a sense of relief, he definitely hadn't heard me."Why would you be at my grandmother's.." I trailed off, I didn't want to get any further involved with him.I brushed the dirt off my hands, my heart hammering against my ribs. “I don’t owe you an explanation," I turned to leave but he immediately grabbed my arm, stopping me and forcing me to face him.“Don’t you?” His eyes narrowed. “You disappear for two years, and now you show up with a child and a man. Were you ever planning to explain any of this?”"Explain? To you?" I stared at him like he had
The silence between us stretched thin, I was frozen in place, Leo’s words sinking in like ice. All those months ago, I walked out of there, leaving the lawyer to deal with the finalising of the divorce.I hadn't wanted to encounter Leo in any way and thought that was the perfect solution.“We’re still married,” he said again like he wanted to carve it into stone.Shocked, I could barely breathe, let alone speak. Then anger started to simmer under my skin. He had the audacity to say that after everything?“Stop this nonsense, Leo.” My voice came out sharp, trembling with restrained fury. “You’re just trying to mess with me. I’ve moved on. I remarried, I have a child—”“And I’m supposed to believe that?” His eyes darkened, his voice dripping with disdain. “Tell me, Bella. Do you even love him?”“That’s none of your business,” I snapped, folding my arms to keep myself steady. “What I do or who I’m with isn’t your concern anymore. You don’t get to ask me questions about my life.”Leo step
I stared blankly at him. I didn’t spend all my time working this hard just for him to attempt to threaten me. This time, I inched closer to him, a smirk on my face. I ran my fingers through his hair. “Mr. Rathore? I’m not your sister, I’m not something you can own.” I reduced my voice to a whisper. “Wake up from your dreams.” I turned around to leave, driving off without looking back once. When I walked into Ryan’s house, Jack was sitting on the floor surrounded by his toys. His head was down, and he was fiddling with a toy car, but his usual cheerful humming was missing. “Jack?” I crouched beside him, placing a hand on his small shoulder. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” He looked up, his big brown eyes filled with worry. “Mummy Bella, Daddy looked sad.” I frowned, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. “Sad? Why, baby?” Jack shifted uncomfortably, his lip trembling. “He was talking to Grandpa. And then he looked sad.” My heart squeezed. Jack was sensitive to emotions, and it u
For a moment, I couldn't move.The sight of the woman sitting there, dressed like that, laughing like it was funny, held me frozen in place.I was still trying to make sense of it when she stood up and sauntered closer, her hips swaying.Before I could react, she reached out, sliding her hand around the back of my neck.I jerked away instinctively, shoving her hand off hard enough that she stumbled back a step."Don’t touch me," I snapped, raising my voice.She blinked, startled, but that didn’t stop her.She stepped forward again, reaching for me like she thought she could fix it somehow.I didn’t give her the chance.I shoved her aside, not hard enough to hurt, but enough that she crashed back onto the edge of the bed."Stay away from me," I barked, the words vibrating in the tight space between us.She flinched, her hands scrambling at the sheets, her wide eyes flicking up to meet mine.As I turned to leave, my hand already on the door, I heard her scrambling behind me."Wait," she
Leo povThe low buzz of my phone yanked me out of a dead sleep.I slapped around the nightstand, finally grabbing it, squinting at the screen through half-lidded eyes.Mom.I groaned quietly, wiping my hand over my face, careful not to move too much.Next to me, Bella was curled up under the covers, her breathing soft and steady.I slipped out of bed as quietly as I could, grabbing the sweatshirt tossed across the chair.Pulling the door halfway closed behind me, I finally answered."Mom?" My voice was rough with sleep."Leo, oh God, Leo," she sobbed immediately, her voice so loud and panicked it made my chest tighten. "Something happened. Please, I need you."I dragged my free hand down my face, forcing myself to wake up faster."What happened?" I asked, already moving toward the bathroom."I was meeting a client at a hotel," she cried. "It went wrong. I need you, please, Leo. Please come."I turned on the bathroom light, wincing at the harsh brightness, staring at myself in the mirr
I spotted him the second the car pulled up to the curb standing there under the pale glow of a lamppost, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, head tilted like he had been waiting forever.The second he saw me, Leo straightened and came over, pulling the door open himself."Come on," he said gently, offering his hand.I slipped out of the car, the night air cool against my cheeks.Without letting go, he led me straight to his car and helped me inside, shutting the door with a soft click.He slid into the driver’s seat a moment later, casting a quick look at me before starting the engine.We didn’t speak much at first.I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur by, feeling my heart race in a way that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with him.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him glance at me again, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel."You okay?" he asked finally, his voice low.I nodded, still looking out."I’m fine," I said.H
When I got home, I dropped my bag by the door and kicked my shoes off without thinking.The house was quiet, almost too quiet, but I didn’t let myself think about it.I went straight to the kitchen where the papers were waiting, the divorce papers.I pulled out a chair and sat down, flipping through the pages quickly. Ryan had already signed his side and all that was left was mine.I grabbed a pen from the counter, uncapped it, and signed my name where they had marked.It was fast, too fast for something that had been part of my life for so long.I pushed the papers aside and stood up, tying my hair back loosely as I made my way upstairs.There was no reason to drag it out.I grabbed my suitcase from under the bed, tossing it onto the mattress with a soft thud.One by one, I started folding my clothes and packing them neatly, shirts, jeans, a few jackets.I was halfway through pulling the zipper closed when I heard a soft knock on the door."Come in," I called, glancing over my should
Leo povI kept Bella’s hand in mine as we made our way down the hall toward the study where Dennis waited.He was already standing near the desk when we walked in, his phone in one hand, a stack of papers in the other.The second he saw us, he set everything down and straightened."I checked the security footage like you asked," Dennis said, his voice calm but tight. "We found out how Jack got here."I stepped closer, my grip tightening slightly on Bella’s hand.Dennis glanced between us before continuing."It was your cousin," he said carefully. "He found Jack wandering near your old house. Instead of calling anyone... he brought him straight here."I stared at him, blinking once, slow and heavy."My cousin?" I repeated, my voice sharper than I meant.Dennis nodded grimly. "The footage is clear. He guided Jack into the car, drove him here, and left him at the gate."I raked a hand through my hair, pacing a short step away before turning back."Why the hell would he do that?" I mutter
We stepped inside, the soft murmur of conversation floating down the long hallway.I kept my head down at first, still overwhelmed by the day, but the moment I looked up, I stopped dead in my tracks.Standing near the grand staircase, arms folded, was Leo’s mother and just a few steps behind her, Stella.I froze, my heart kicking up painfully, old instincts screaming at me to turn around, to run before history repeated itself.Leo noticed immediately, he slowed beside me, glancing once at the stiffness in my body, then following my gaze.Without missing a beat, he reached for my hand, threading his fingers tightly through mine.The simple gesture grounded me, but it also sent a jolt of heat straight to my chest.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Stella stiffen, her hand flying to her mouth like she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Leo’s mother narrowed her eyes, scanning the space between us like she was trying to rewrite the reality in front of her."What is going on here?" she
I stood there for a second, trying to wrap my head around what Leo had just said."Your house?" I repeated, glancing at Ryan, who looked just as confused as I felt.Ryan shook his head slowly, his hands tightening into fists at his sides."Why would he be there?" he muttered under his breath.I turned back to Leo, searching his face for some kind of answer, but he was already moving, grabbing his keys off the counter, his shoulders tense."There’s no time for this," Leo said, his voice clipped. "We’ll ask questions later. Right now, we need to get there."Without another word, we hurried out the door, piling into Leo’s car.I barely remembered buckling my seatbelt, my hands trembling the whole drive.Leo gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw locked, his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror more than once like he couldn’t drive fast enough.Ryan sat stiffly beside me, tapping his foot anxiously against the floor mat, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.When we finally pulled
Leo was already pulling his phone out before I could say a word.I stood there, frozen in the middle of the living room, watching him pace near the window as he barked into the phone."Dennis, get access to every street camera near the house," Leo said, his voice tight but controlled. "Side roads too. Look for a kid, maybe with a backpack, moving fast. Alone."He paused, listening, his hand curling into a fist at his side."Use our contacts if you have to," he added after a second. "I want eyes on every damn corner."I hugged my arms around myself, feeling like the walls were closing in.The idea of Jack out there, scared and alone, made my stomach twist painfully.Without thinking, I turned and headed down the hallway where I found Ryan sitting stiffly on the edge of the couch, staring at the floor like he couldn't move.I sat down beside him, close enough that our knees brushed."This is my fault," I said, my voice cracking as I reached out to touch his arm. "I should have been more
I barely remembered the drive to Ryan’s place. My grip on the wheel was so tight my knuckles hurt.Every minute Bella stayed silent, every minute I did not hear her voice, my patience thinned to nothing.I pulled up hard in front of the house, the tires kicking dust across the sidewalk.The door was cracked open slightly. No sound came from inside.I did not wait. I shoved the door wider and stepped in without knocking, my fists already curled, my chest heaving with the anger I had been holding back for too long.Ryan sat slumped on the couch, his elbows resting heavily on his knees, staring blankly at the floor.He didn’t even flinch when I entered."What the hell did you do to her?" I said, my voice cutting through the stillness.He looked up slowly, his eyes bloodshot and unfocused, like he wasn’t really seeing me.My temper snapped.I crossed the room in three long strides, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, and hauled him halfway off the couch."Talk," I growled, shoving him back ha