LOGINHer eyes darted everywhere. It was really going to happen.
"Bella, I'm sorry, you just have to do this for the family, it's for all of us." He muttered holding up her hand. If only she could move. "{How about Ann, why must I be the one to be used for business. Dad please don't get me married.}." Tears dripped from a side of her eyes. "{Dad I know mum left you, according to history, but why must you do this to me, can't you see I'm even sick right now?}" Once he saw the tears, he cleaned it delicately. "I'm sorry." He muttered again, almost in whispers. Within some seconds, she came back with a paper and a thumbprint. Really?? She actually meant business. She was going to have her placed her thumbprints on a marriage certificate. "{Am I some goat or something?!}" She screamed, but of course nobody could hear her. "Sarah?" "Yes, she only needs to sign that's all." "Do it right then." Bella jerked immediately, her blood boiled rapidly in her veins. Sarah moved closer and grabbed her thumb. Even when she was screaming inside, she placed her hand on the red ink. There was nothing she could do now. Hot tears sprint from her eyes, but then, the least of what she expected happened. The cute stranger was now standing in her ward panting heavily as though he had being running for hours. "Stop right there!" He yelled breathlessly. She paused, gazing at him from up to his toes. Few hours back when Austin got back to his apartment, Bella was gone. He wondered where she had gone, the thought of her going back home never left his mind, but even at that, he wasn't ready to loose her again. He beckoned on surveillance cameras, he was panic stricken when he finally saw her choking on her breath. He traced her down by all means. Where as he was scared something had happened to her, he was also frightened they might really get her married this time. Although he didn't know how his Isa got two parents now, but he was sure she was the one. He breathed heavily with relief seeping through his soul. "And who might you be?" Sarah muttered with a raised brow. "I'm her husband." He muttered coldly, with every bit of his aura suggesting chaos. "What? how, where and when, get lost before I call a security. She's married now if you're some crazy obsessor, and if you must know, she's married to Ethan Williams Kingston, does that name ring a bell? now get lost." "She's already married to me, no need to sign those papers." He swiftly hijacked it from her, tearing it into several pieces. "What do you think you're doing!" "You wouldn't want to mess with me." He spat coldly and moved swiftly to where Bella laid motionless on the bed. If only she could show how joyful she was. She defeated her stepmother. And Why was her father still gazing intermittently at Austin?? But Austin didn't gave him a damn, even if she was his adopted daughter which he wasn’t sure about, treating her like this was wild. He swiftly pressed on the ward's telephone. "Move my wife to VVIP ward now." He muttered, his face fierced as ever. "{But why was he going too far, it's only a contract marriage.}" She giggled inwardly, if only she could just tell him to take her away. Sarah never removed her eyes from him, she wished to scream at him, tear his clothes and have him bundle out of the room but she's scared he might be a powerful figure. Just as he picked up his phone, Dave arrived at the hospital, panic written all over his face. He immediately swept to Bella's side, grabbing her hand into his and shaking rapidly. Austins forehead creased. "Dave??" "Ohh".. he muttered slowly and stood up from her side. "Get everything ready for her ward upstairs." "Yes Boss." He muttered and left. "I need to talk with you" Bella's father finally muttered. "I'm sorry, but I can't leave her alone." "We are her parents!" Sarah couldn't contain her anger anymore. "I'm not sure about that, you who almost got her married on a sick bed can't convince me you care for her as a parent." "Are you trying to teach me how to care for my own daughter? who are you by the way?!" "More than you can imagine," "Henry, I'm out of here, your daughter never fail to create harvorc!" She yelled and stumbled out of the ward, leaving Bella in Bliss. Her father sprung along in so much rage, but not after giving Bella a disappointing look. She giggled inside. Atleast they were gone, she wasn't getting married anymore. "Isa." Austin slowly turned to Bella, his heart shattered into several pieces. He couldn't imagine Bella who was Jovial and full of life could be in such condition. "You're going to get well soon, I promise you." He muttered stroking her hair. Her body responded to his touch, tears continue sprinting her eyes, this time, she strongly wished she could speak to him. To ask him why he called her Isa. Was that her name also? and how did he know. She had always known something was off about herself. "You can stop shedding those tears, I'm here for you now." ******* "Useless daughter you have there, she can't even save her own father's company!" "Sarah, if Bella got complicated, Ann can get married." She suddenly paused. "Don't you dare! I will never let my daughter end up with that looser, he's a speck for that good for nothing daughter of yours." "Do you even for once consider Bella, your daughter?" There was raw anger in his voice. He never thought Sarah would hate Bella so much, "Ann would get mar.." "I already set her up." Sarah suddenly cut him off before he gave his decree. "With a more powerful business tycoon," "And who might that be??" Smile crept to her face. "The heir to MX Corp. An only son, he's more powerful and will surely like our Ann, I mean who wouldn't like her?" "Austin Richard, you mean?" "Yes, only grandson of Clifford Richard, he became the heir since his father died many years back." "He has been an heir since he was little." "Yes, I know you'd be Happy about this," Henry couldn't help his excitement. Where as he was only planning to go through inlaw connection if Bella get married to the scum, he could now go directly through his son-in-law, a competent son-in-law. He sighed in relieve. ***** Austin in the VVIP ward was hovered over his laptop working intermittently . He never failed to look up at Bella almost every seconds. His eyes went wide when he caught her moved her hand for the first time. He sprung off to the side of her bed. "You can do it." He held up her hand. His gaze deepening into her's in anticipation, when his phone came ringing. He brought it out from his pants pocket, his eyes getting darker as he stared at the caller ID. He shoved it back into his pocket but it came growling back again. "Mum." "How can you do this to your mother, how can you disrespect me so much? is it a big deal to show on a business interview with my son? can't you even help your mother build her brand??" "Mum, I told you to not do anything and focus on your appointment with the doctor." "Stop treating me like an old woman! anyways that's not why I called." Austin sighed heavily, "What now mum??" "You need to come by the house today." "Hope you're not setting another blind date?" "So what! wouldn't you get married?" "Mum!" He growled and hung up the call.When Austin got to the living room with his mother, he sank onto the sofa. Sighing for the tenth time. Then Mrs Beth called her servant to give Austin something to drink. By this time, Austin was already relaxed hoping his mother had repented for good. A few minutes later, the servant came in with a fruit juice on her tray. The one that Austin liked the most and when he saw it his appetite aroused—he wanted it. Mrs Beth looked at her servant and she nodded slightly in a way that Austin wouldn't notice Then she left Mrs Beth was anxious hoping this one would finally work. She couldn't wait to join Ann and her son together already. She liked how fierce and fearless she was and she wanted her for her son. Ann reminded her so much of herself when she was still a girl like her, their story was almost alike, she feel so thrilled to find her younger self and for that she'd help her get what she wants. Seconds later, Austin picked up the glass cup of juice, about to sta
A few minutes later, Austin arrived at his mother's estate. His eyes darted around. He wouldn't make the mistake of trusting his mother completely. She was often cunning and suspicious. What if the girl was here and this was another plan of hers? He was on edge as he drove his car slowly into the parking lot. Coming down, his eyes were still going around. He sighed deeply, his expression unreadable as he walked through the entrance into his mother's living room. “Son.” Mrs Beth muttered, her tone soft and happy. This means her son had forgiven her, even though she was about to commit another. Earlier when she sent the message, she didn't know he'd forgive her so easily and let go. But here he was, in her living room. She confirmed it—her son loves her so much and would always come around no matter what she does. Even the one she was about to do, she believed he'd forgive it and see reason with her and continue with Ann happily ever after—she was his mother and she was s
Around noon, she headed to the breakroom to grab a coffee, hoping for five minutes of silence to just breathe. She hadn't even finished stirring in her sugar when Tamara, the MD, walked in. Tamara looked as sharp as ever, her presence commanding the room without her even trying. "You’re handling the whole thing even better than I expected, Bella," Tamara said, leaning against the counter as she waited for the coffee to dispense. "I was just on a call with the board. I told them that your fresh perspective is exactly what we need for the new launch. In fact, I’m already looking into a larger budget for your team for next quarter. I want you to have the best tools available." Bella felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Next quarter" felt like a lifetime away. She gripped her mug a little tighter, her knuckles turning white—She wouldn't be here. "Thank you, ma'am," Bella managed to say. She forced herself to maintain eye contact, trying not to let her internal panic show. "I’m
Thinking about it all, Mrs. Olivia's offer was the best Just as she had planned to continue growing while working with her current company, she could do the same in her new, more senior position. It could be even easier to build hers fast in that big position. Bella gave it a huge thought. “Jas. I think I’ve concluded.” “I hope it's a good one.” Jasmine who was at her study desk now muttered. “Yeah Jas, I’ll work with AJ for a month and then hand in my resignation letter,” she muttered. Jasmine spun around in her chair, her pen hovering mid-air. She stared at Bella for a long beat, processing the words. "A month? You’re going to juggle a brand-new promotion as a Team Leader while preparing your exit for Mrs. Olivia’s empire at the same time?" "I think I should do that," Bella said, her voice steadier now that she had actually said it out loud. She stood up and started pacing the small space of their room. "I can't just vanish. My MD took a chance on me, and I ha
When Bella got to her office, she couldn't help but get engulfed by the thought of what she had just discussed with Jasmine. Of course that was a huge breakthrough for her, but she felt she should start her’s from scratch. The day went by with Bella thinking her whole life to death about this whole thing. Several minutes later, she had closed from work, and ready to leave. Being lost in her thoughts, she didn't realise everyone had left until she looked around her. Just when she unplugged her phone, picked up her bag to leave, a voice came behind her. “Bella dear, can you see me in my office?” It was her MD—she muttered and darted away. Bella went after her, wondering what could really be the problem. She worked hard all day making sure everything was in place. What could it be? She thought wildly as her heart thumped faster. In a split second, she arrived at the MD’s office. She knocked softly then pushed slightly. Her expression curious. “You can have your seat.”
“Do you have class this morning?” Jasmine’s voice came through, as she woke up to Bella all dressed up. “Gurl you don't even know what time it is,” Bella muttered, making her spring up. “I didn't wake you up, because you were awake all through the night.” “You should've woken me up!” Jasmine spoke, her voice yelling. Bella made a fake startle. “Ouch I'm scared.” she wailed with an exaggerated eye roll “You just closed your eyes 30 minutes back jas.” “I love you so much to stop you from resting darling. But don't you think it's time to change this course?” Bella muttered. Her eyes held concern. Jasmine rolled her eyes “You’ve said this a thousand times already. Get going.” “You’d never take my advice, is it until your eye bag grew bigger? “Pfttt.” Jasmine came down and walked sluggishly to the bathroom. As soon as they arrived in New York, she began her schoolwork immediately. Bella always seemed too bored at home and with their money she enrolled in a desig







