All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Bella’s POVI saw him the second I stepped off the elevator. He was standing by the front desk, talking to someone, but his eyes flicked to me the moment I walked into view. Of course they did. Leo always looked for me like I was something he owned, something he lost but still expected to find again.I kept walking. Not too fast. Not slow enough to be noticed. Just… unaffected. That’s what I wanted him to see. Me, in control. Me, composed. Me, completely untouched by last night.“Bella,” he called out behind me. His voice was calm, but there was a warning in it. Like he knew I’d ignore him, and he wasn’t going to let it slide this time.I stopped near the lobby’s coffee stand. I didn’t turn. I let him come to me.“Tell me the truth,” he said, just close enough for only me to hear. “Is it real? You and Ryan.”His question startled me, and I furrowed my eyebrows. My heart racing in my chest but then I turned, slowly, arms folded, face blank. His jaw was tense. His eyes looked like they

B ella’s POVThe hallway outside the emergency room buzzed with fluorescent light. I sat motionless in a stiff plastic chair, arms folded, trying to slow my breathing. A nurse had promised to update me when they could, but it had already been over twenty minutes. I didn’t care about the time. I wasn’t leaving until I knew she and her baby were safe.Leo had been pacing nonstop. His dress shoes tapped rhythmically against the linoleum floor, each step sharper than the last. He wasn’t subtle about his frustration. But I stayed where I was, watching the emergency doors like they might open with answers.Eventually, his patience snapped.“This is ridiculous,” he muttered, stepping closer. “We’ve done our part. We brought her here. They’ve taken over. What more do you want to do?”“I’m staying,” I said calmly.“Why?” His voice rose slightly. “You don’t even know her. You gave up an important meeting, Bella. You’re acting like this is your child—”“I know what it feels like,” I said, standi

Bella pov. I didn’t want to be here. I wasn’t sure how many days had passed by now but I had gotten an email earlier saying that we needed to show up to an overnight trip at a jungle. Being here at the jungle traumatized me since it reminded me so much of the forest wedding and losing my child. I hated it with all of me but worst of all I hated that Leo would be here too. This whole thing was for the client. They wanted a “natural bonding experience,” something about being closer to the earth to match their new luxury eco-brand. Everyone acted excited. I wasn’t. I didn’t care about the forest, the trees, the birds, or the fresh air. I just wanted to get through it, finish what was required, and go back to the hotel. The only reason I was here was because it was mandatory. I kept walking, putting space between me and the others. I didn’t want to be in the middle of the group, and I definitely didn’t want to be anywhere near Leo. He hadn’t said much all morning. I was glad. I d

The door closed softly behind us. I locked it without thinking, then turned and saw her sit down, slow and careful, on the edge of the bed. She bent her leg with a wince, pressing her hand lightly against her ankle as if even breathing on it hurt. I crossed the room without speaking, grabbed the cold pack from the minibar, wrapped it in a small towel, and knelt in front of her.She didn’t stop me.Her leg trembled when I touched it, but she let me slide off her shoe and lift her foot into my lap. I was gentle, more than I’d ever been with anything in my life. Her sock was damp from sweat, probably pain too. She hissed quietly when I rolled it down, and I slowed my hands.The swelling was worse now. Purple already setting in. I adjusted the towel, pressed the cold gently against the side of her ankle, and held it there with one hand while the other braced her knee.She didn’t look at me, but she didn’t pull away either.Her breath was shallow. She leaned back slightly, resting her palm

H e came quickly, like he hadn’t hesitated for a second. I didn’t even remember what I sounded like on the phone. Maybe I hadn’t said anything clearly. Maybe all he heard was my voice breaking. But it was enough.The door opened and closed gently behind him. He didn’t ask questions. He just walked to where I stood near the window, eyes red, the necklace still resting against my collarbone.He didn’t say a word.He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, slow and careful, like he was afraid I might fall apart if he moved too fast.I melted into him. For once, I didn’t pull away.His hand slid up my back, the other resting lightly on the back of my head. He didn’t press me or kiss me or try to fix it all in one moment. He just held me like he was making space for the sadness I couldn’t carry alone anymore.We stayed that way for a long time.Eventually, he guided me toward the bed, pulled back the covers, and helped me lie down.He didn’t leave.He slid in beside me, fully cloth