Everything She Is

"What is this?"

Bella kept her head bowed. Despite hearing the anger in his voice, she didn’t respond; she had nothing to say. Her silence only angered him more.

"Isabella, what the fuck is that necklace doing in your bag if you didn’t pay for it?!"

She raised her head, stunned at the use of her full name. Vaughn had never referred to her by her full name before, and they’d been together for years. It seemed she had successfully managed to piss him off, and this was only phase two of her plan. She was very content with herself.

Bella spoke with a nonchalant voice, "I guess I forgot to pay for it."

Vaughn was so angry that even the staff became terrified. The manager quickly stepped forward to help resolve the issue. "Mr. McCoy, the fault is ours. Your wife was clearly tired; she truly forgot to pay for the necklace. It’s just a misunderstanding."

"Step aside," Vaughn told him coldly. The older man shuffled away. The billionaire advanced toward his wife, and the fact that she seemed unbothered with the whole thing pissed him off even more. This wife of his had amnesia, but she wasn’t stupid. There was no reason for her to take jewelry from the store without paying for it and cause a commotion. He had to leave his place of work just to come here.

He gazed at her. She met his eyes, not backing away from his cold glare. Bella had already prepared herself for whatever reaction Vaughn would have. She was praying he would act violently, give in to his brutish instincts. After all, it wasn’t the first time he had beaten her. She wanted him to hit her so all these people would see.

But Vaughn didn’t hit her. Instead, he lowered himself to his knees. "Tell me, what’s the matter?"

"What?"

"Have I...not been giving you enough attention?" Bella frowned in confusion. What the hell gave him that idea? Vaughn placed a hand on her cheek and gave her a soft smile. "That must be the reason, right?"

"I don’t understand..."

Vaughn cut her off before she could finish her sentence. He rose to his feet and adjusted his tie. He addressed the store manager in a polite manner. "I apologize, Rodrigo. It’s all my fault. I’ve been too busy with work, and my wife felt the need to do something like this to gain my attention. I only wish she hadn’t caused trouble for you. I will compensate you all."

"There’s no need, Mr. McCoy. It’s perfectly normal for couples to have misunderstandings. I’m glad we could be of help," Rodrigo said. He felt like he understood the situation now. It turns out it was a case of a wife trying to get the attention of her busy husband. Despite the earlier misunderstanding, this had turned out to be very sentimental.

The misunderstanding was cleared up, and once again, everyone had a positive view of Vaughn. To them, he was just a busy husband who had to work hard and still take care of his mentally ill and clingy wife. He was an ideal husband.

"Come, baby. Let’s go home."

Bella allowed Vaughn to hold her hand and lead her out of the store, seething over her ruined plan. She had been so sure it would work, but she had underestimated Vaughn's ability to turn every situation in his favor. Now, she was sure she would suffer the consequences.

She entered the car in silence. Vaughn had asked the driver to return to the company while he drove her home himself. Bella laid her head against the tinted glass and closed her eyes. This way, she could pretend she was somewhere safe and not with her tyrannical and violent husband.

"That was a very stupid thing to do," Vaughn spoke up a few minutes into the drive. Bella remained silent. "Tell me, what were you planning? Is this some sort of tantrum you’re throwing?"

"You’ve already figured it out yourself. Why should my opinion matter?"

"I’m fucking serious, Bella. I’ve been missing a whole lot of work since you started acting like a child! I don’t have time for your bullshit."

"You could lock me up in a fancy cage and tell the world you did it because you loved me. They’d believe you; you’re that evil."

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" He slammed his foot on the brakes, and the car screeched to a halt. Bella would have bashed her head if she hadn’t remembered to put on her seatbelt. Vaughn grabbed her by the hair and spat curses at her venomously. "IS THAT IT? I’M EVIL NOW, RIGHT? I’M THE VILLAIN?"

"Get your hands off me!"

"No, Bella, you seem to forget who made you! Remember, you were a nobody when I met you. I made you who you are. I gave you what you have now. So whatever I do to you is warranted. You are mine, bitch. Mine to keep, mine to love, and mine to torment. And you will never try whatever bullshit you pulled at Pandora ever again, are we clear?"

"Y...Yes."

"Speak the fuck up!"

"YES, Vaughn, we’re clear!"

"Good. Shit, I just wish you’d remain the fucking sweet girl you were before. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you."

Bella held back her sobs. Throughout the drive home, she did her best not to break into tears. When the car pulled up in front of the mansion, Bella ran out of the car like the devil was chasing her. Vaughn didn’t try to stop her; he hardly cared. She went upstairs, stripped out of her clothes, and went to the bathroom to shower. She stood in front of the mirror, counting each bruise and scar on her skin—there were many. It made her feel like murdering her husband so she could be free.

She went into her room and started to get dressed. Anna came upstairs with the bag containing the jewelry she had gotten; Vaughn had brought them home. Anna informed her that Vaughn was demanding she make dinner. Bella went downstairs to get started. She was dicing up vegetables when she heard her husband's footsteps. Her entire body tensed as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pressing his chest against her back.

"I’m so sorry, baby," he cooed in a gentle voice that would have melted her heart in the past. "I didn’t mean to act like that. I was angry, that’s all. You know I’m crazy about you. I would never hurt you."

"I know," she said, though her words lacked depth. She was distracted, thinking about the multiple times he had bashed her head against some hard surface in the house. It’s a surprise she hadn’t gone deranged already. Right now, the knife in her hand was very tempting. It would look so nice plunged into his chest. "It was my fault."

"Yes, baby," he easily agreed. "It’s all fine, as long as you promise not to do it again." Vaughn placed a wet kiss on her throat and walked away.

She continued making dinner while thinking hard about what her next move would be. She needed to change strategy. Vaughn was too good of an actor to slip up in public. If she wanted to get him, she would need help—and not from Anna either. She needed someone unlikely to betray her. But who?

---

She meditated over her options as she sat down for dinner with Vaughn that night. By the next morning, she had made her decision. As Vaughn came downstairs for breakfast, she was waiting for him.

"I want to enroll in college," she told him.

Vaughn paused, browsing through his phone. He looked at her with a narrowed gaze. "What for?"

"I’m bored at home. I think furthering my education would be a good way to spend my time."

"You’ve never wanted to return to school before. You were perfectly content staying home," he said, though he made sure not to say aloud the part about her staying home to serve him. But Bella knew.

"It’s been years, Vaughn. I need to have better prospects. Besides, it would boost your image further if you had an educated wife. Don’t you want that?"

Vaughn thought it over briefly. "But your condition...you won’t remember a thing."

"That’s what technology and notes are for, Vaughn. I don’t want to restrict myself because of my condition. Please, I was hoping you would support me."

"Of course, do whatever makes you happy, baby."

"Thank you."

"What college do you want to go to? I’ll have you enrolled by next week."

"Westbridge. Can I?"

Vaughn shrugged. "Whatever."

Bella smiled in satisfaction. "Thanks." She would make sure to repay him properly for such kindness—give him a taste of his own medicine