CHAPTER 2

BELLA'S POV

“Help me, please.” She said as she inched closer and I moved away from her in case she was trying to do something to hurt me.

“What do you mean?”

“Listen, Ethan's asleep right now, but there's more to my relationship with him than he said earlier.” She started when suddenly her eyes darted to the table where the abortion pills sat and her eyes widened in shock and despair.

“What has he done to you?” She asked in horror and I just stared at her in confusion. What in the world was going on right now?

“He might wake up anytime soon, and if I get caught talking to you, we'd both get in trouble, so meet me at the auction event tomorrow; I have a lot to talk to you about.” She said quickly before turning around to leave and I couldn't help but get curious.

“Wait, why should I trust you? You're literally my husband's mistress. What if you're trying to get rid of me?” I asked slowly and she let out a sigh before coming close to me and holding my shoulders with a solemn look on her face.

“I can't say much right now, but know this, we're both in the same situation. If you want to be free, I have a plan but first, I'll need you to trust me. Girl Code?” She asked softly as she raised her pinky finger and the sad yet concerned expression on her face made me believe her.

“Girl Code,” I replied as I intertwined my pinky finger with hers and she smiled at me before she left my room hurriedly.

I knew I couldn't trust her, but I had to know what she was up to. There was something intriguing about her and I had to find out. Since we'll be meeting at the event tomorrow, she wouldn't be able to harm me in front of people… Right?

The next day, I sat in front of the mirror where I applied a little makeup to my face to make sure I looked good enough to stand by Ethan's side. I got up and did a quick twirl, admiring the short white sundress on me as a smile formed on my face.

As I tied my hair into a loose messy ponytail with strands falling down my face, I couldn't help but think about the lady's words yesterday. When she left with Ethan last night, she glanced at my window and held up her pinky finger, like she was sure I was watching. I wondered what she was planning.

After applying my cologne and making sure that everything was perfect, I took my purse and headed downstairs where Ethan sat, sipping a cup of coffee. When he saw me, his eyes lit up and I couldn't help but blush at how he looked at me.

“Took you long enough.” He said bluntly even though his gaze on me held a different meaning. I tried not to let my excitement show as I linked my arms with his and we walked out of the house.

“Remember, we're a loving couple and our marriage has been nothing but lovely. Understood?” He reminded me and I nodded gently before getting into the car.

He got in beside me and we both sat in silence as the driver drove us to the destination. When we arrived, I couldn't help but feel nervous. There were cameras and journalists everywhere, and it made my palms sweaty.

“It's showtime.” He said as his hand grabbed my waist and pulled me to his side, causing me to let out a startled yelp. Our faces were inches from each other, and he gently brushed a strand of hair from my face as he smiled warmly while my heart pounded and flipped wildly in my chest.

The driver opened the door and the excited voices of the media became louder while the blinding flashes from their camera enveloped us. Ethan suddenly pulled away and I blinked rapidly when he stretched his hand out to me.

“Come on, sweetheart. We'll be late.” His voice was smooth and soft, it was nothing like the way he spoke to me at home. I plastered a smile on my face as I took his hand, and he helped me out of the car. He then placed his hand on my waist and pulled me closer to him as we walked past the media who were going crazy with our appearance.

“You like this, don't you?” He suddenly whispered in my ear and my face turned red as his breath tickled my ears.

“What do you mean?” I asked as I turned to look at him and a soft whimper escaped my lips when I realized that our faces were only a few inches from each other. He suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at me, and my heart leaped to my throat while the camera shutters became louder and more frequent.

“You like it when I treat you like this. Like we're in love. Don't you?” He asked softly as his thumb gently stroked my cheeks, and I just stared at him feeling dumbfounded.

He was right, I loved it when he treated me like he loved me. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I made him fall in love with me. And even though I knew it could never happen, something in me wanted to try.

“I-”

He interrupted my words as he kissed me softly and my brain suddenly felt mushy. The crowd surrounding us suddenly burst into loud cheers while the blinding lights of the camera enveloped us but I was too dazed to care. If only…

He then pulled away and smiled at me before leaning in to whisper words that nearly made my smile fade away.

“Don't dream too far now. It could never happen, not in a billion years.” He said softly before pulling away with a warm smile and all the blood drained away from my face.

What was I thinking?

We walked into the event hall and the plastered smile on my face had begun to crack. I needed to find somewhere to cry but I knew Ethan would never let me go. Just when I thought I'd burst into tears in front of everyone, someone spilled a drink on my body, immediately ruining my pretty white dress.

“Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!” The lady in a mask said, but just as I was about to raise my voice at her, she raised her pinky finger at me, and I immediately recognized her.

“I'll get it clean for you in an instant; please follow me to the lady's bathroom.” She said and when I turned to see Ethan busy talking with an old man, I nodded and followed her to the bathroom.

“What's this about?” I asked the moment we got to the bathroom, and she immediately cornered me, with her arms pinning me to the wall, and my eyes widened in fear.

Was she going to hurt me?