‘I’m alive? I’m still live, right?’ was the first question that came to Belle’s mind. If she could feel the pain and the rush of panic as the truck approached them, then the answer would be yes. She is hurting, but nonetheless, alive to feel pain.
Her head throbbed with a headache.‘What happened? Where the hell am I?’ she asked herself.Even if she wanted to ask the words out loud, she could barely move. The pain was bearable, but the processing of information made her lie down frozen. Almost every part of her body felt numb.“Isobelle.” She recognized Nikolai's voice before she could even see him. His voice was on the verge of breaking. Nikolai cleared his throat, trying to conceal the vulnerability.If Belle would open her eyes, she would have the chance to see that concern reflected in Nikolai’s face. ‘But I don’t want to. Not right now.’ She told herself as she processed everything that had happened.“I know you're awake.” NIt was overwhelming.She could barely hold the phone. Hell, it was even hard to find enough strength to stand up. Even at her weakest, she wished she had enough strength to land a slap on Nikolai's cheek to save a teeny-tiny bit of self-worth.And yet, she couldn't. Belle stood frozen, still hoping Nikolai could come up with some shit of an excuse that would explain everything. Like she would always do.“If you would tell me it isn't true, I will believe you.” She pleaded, not giving a fuck about how desperate it may sound. “So, tell me, Nikolai. Tell me this didn't happen.”“There's nothing going on between me and Evelyn.” He finally said something. Though it wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear.“Tell me you didn't fuck her.”Both Nikolai and Leo seemed taken aback by her straightforwardness. Nothing else matters right now. All she wants is the truth, not a sugar-coated lie.“No. I can explain this, Isobelle.”“Okay. I will be an idiot trying to listen to you. Go.”“I have no idea
Belle had several theories formed in her head. Hearing it out loud and from Leo himself still came as a surprise.Her lips slightly parted in surprise. It was even clearer now, all those similarities that he shared with Nikolai.“You're really brothers?” She wanted to confirm once more.“Half-brothers… allegedly. It was never confirmed. Nobody really dared to confirm. Those who knew the truth never bothered to speak out, those suspicious never asked.To say that she was curious was an understatement. She wants to hear everything, from start to end. This was big news! The anticlimactic bored face from Leo isn't stopping her from wanting to hear the story.“But… but how?”“I don't think I should be the one telling you this. If you want the drama, the whole plot, go ask your husband.”“Soon-to-be ex-husband,” she corrected.Leo smirked. “Nah. I doubt so.” He crossed his arm that were filled with bruises.
Someone knocked on her door late in the evening. The lights on her room were still and he must have figured out that she was still awake.They have never slept in the same room since the confrontation. It was hard enough for her to stay in the same house and eat breakfast at the same table as Nikolai. All this she did for Liam.Belle unlocked the door, and Nikolai was standing outside. She would always avoid looking in his eyes and this is the first time she's seen the stress reflect on his face.“Can we talk now?” He gently said. It was the first time he asked.“Okay.”Instead of letting him in, she took a step outside and led the way to the nearest lounge area. Her room was a mess. Aside from that, it would be safer to talk somewhere far away from a bed where ‘talking’ can be translated into something else.“Let's talk here.” Belle took a seat and signaled Nikolai to sit, too. She's much more calm now than she was days before.
“Is that why you are here?”Belle nodded.Everything she needed and more was in Houston… but how can she stay silent and live in peace knowing that someone who wants her dead was breathing the same air? There was no turning back after knowing this.Before they get her, she should get them first. “I need to do something here.”“What do you mean?” Bonnie asked, but gasped soon after. “This is about the accident, isn't it?”“It wasn't an accident, Bon. Someone tried and failed to kill me.”“I was already suspecting it.” Bonnie worriedly held Belle's hand. “I knew even back then that something was off with your letter.”The letter. Right. The one that she was forced to write. Every letter she wrote was like digging into her own skin.It was the time Liam needed her the most. Why would she leave suddenly?It was an easy conclusion that maybe things went too much for her and she left. Wors
“Finally, we're alone!” Belle gushed after Stella closed the door in her own house.It was a little unfair to see her live a rather good life in her two-storey mansion. Living this glamorous life, she doesn't deserve it.“What are you doing here, Belle?”“Of course you would ask that. What am I doing here when I'm supposed to be buried six feet under, you mean?” She raised an eyebrow. “I don't know what you mean.”“You know exactly what I mean.”Stella wanted her gone. She couldn't stomach the fact that even when Belle wants nothing to do with Nikolai, he would still choose to be with him.Theirs was a complicated history of rejection and love.“You were pretending to be another person all this time.”Belle scoffed in disbelief. If there was a glass of water near her, she'd throw it ruthlessly right in front of Stella's face. Like those scenes in the movie. “I wasn't pretending, Stella. You almost kill
The silence was so loud, Belle could already read what was running in Nikolai's head.She was wearing the same clothes; she had the same haircut. She was the same woman who left, but something must have changed.Even Belle could feel it. It was hard to point out exactly what it could be.“I've been gone for a while and now that I'm back… really back, you won't say anything?” She raised an eyebrow.“Isobelle…”‘Isobelle.’ He really had to call her differently.If only Nikolai called her like anyone else. If only he hadn't made her feel a bit special. If only she didn't fall for his charm, it wouldn't be this way.She blamed herself alone for falling in love with him, but it was him who would always look at her longingly.If only he looked the other way, they wouldn't be standing this close to one another. With all the problems and complications that surround them.“I rushed here with all that emotions, some scripted movie-type of script to ask you questions and now that I'm here-” yet
Belle smiled at the few staff who recognized her. She tried not to grab anyone’s attention. Okay, maybe a little. She may have kept her silence, but she has been possessed with her flair for the dramatic. She wore the perfect black dress, hugging her curves perfectly, and dark red lipstick like a typical movie villain. She contemplated adding sunglasses but thought nah, that would be too much.She knew coming here at the law firm would be a hot issue in the making. People love to gossip as what can be observed with every eye trying to follow her every move subtly. She hasn’t left the area, but they are already whispering. For the first time after a long time, she didn’t care. It was nice to feel liberated even in this last stage of her short-lived marriage. It was a marriage that made whispering feel like screaming.Ah, there they are. She thought, spotting the conference room with glass windows. Perfect. She opened the glass door with a wide grin, showing her perfect set of white te
“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Laurent.” Belle wasn’t nervous… or at least, this is what she kept telling herself while earlier, she was looking at the mirror, combing her hair. Even after changing her mind for what felt like the hundredth time, she is still unsure if she chose the right dress. Heck, she was even nervous thinking about what type of makeup look she would be wearing today. There was no need for her to please the parents. Her actions, however, say otherwise. It was hard to show a sweet smile, but she managed just fine. On the inside, there was an uneasy feeling, an internal chaos she wouldn’t like to admit was happening. Their presence made her almost forget that Nikolai was in the same room. It was surprising to see Oliver Laurent smile. Nikolai has consistently described him as a strict father growing up, giving her the image of a grumpy old man. Adeline’s fake smile was easy to spot, on the other hand. It was a contrast to the intense stare Belle couldn’t help but no