Bella smiled, pushing away her distress. "Good morning," she murmured back, putting her hand on his.

Theodore kissed her cheek and nudged his nose on her neck. "Why did you wake up early?" he asked, his tone hoarse.

Bella’s smile faltered. She wouldn’t let him know Zack had called her. "I just woke up," she said, resuming her smile. "The morning sky looked beautiful, so I came out to enjoy the view." Her eyes moved ahead to the skyline.

Theodore also followed her gaze and watched the morning sky painted with vibrant orange color. The breeze was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of different flowers blooming in the garden in the backyard.

"It’s indeed beautiful," he said, "and on this beautiful morning, I’d like to take you somewhere."

"Where?" She turned to him and looked into his eyes curiously.

Theodore held her gaze, his hands resting on her shoulders. "It’s a surprise."

It was at this point she remembered him mentioning another surprise he had prepared for her. Bella was eager to know where he was going to take her.

"Okay, I’ll go get ready," she chirped.

Ding-Dong...

The doorbell chimed loudly, interrupting their conversation. Bella’s smile vanished. "Who has arrived at this time?" she wondered.

"I’ll go and check." Before Bella could stop him, Theodore was out of the bedroom.

Bella’s curiosity sparked and she wanted to find out who was there. She slowly made her way out of the bedroom. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the uniformed officer standing at their doorstep. Theodore stood just inside the doorway, his broad back facing her, as he exchanged quiet words with the policeman.

A frown creased on her brow as she wondered what the officer had to do with Theodore. Bella’s fingers tightened on the fabric of her robe, pulling it more securely around herself as she slowly descended the staircase.

"Theodore!" she called out softly.

Both Theodore and the officer turned to her. Bella’s frown deepened as she walked closer, feeling the chill of the polished marble under her bare feet. Her gaze flicked from the policeman to her husband, who had a strange calmness in his eyes, though his jaw was clenched ever so slightly.

"Why did you come down?" Theodore asked coldly, displeased.

Bella didn’t answer to him. She turned her focus to the policeman and asked, "What is going on, officer?"

"Mrs. Reid, good morning," Steward greeted her with a calculative smile before Bella could reply. "I am investigating the attack that happened on you. I have come here to get some answers."

"I see." Bella nodded.

"How are you feeling now?" Steward asked.

"My wife has just recovered," Theodore said, pulling Bella closer to him. "She is still weak. Don’t bother her with your questions."

"Relax, Theodore," Bella soothed him, placing a comforting hand on his chest. "Yes, officer, you can ask me anything. I’d like to help you in the investigation. That man, O’Neil is dangerous. He said he would sell me to the brothel. Such a dangerous man should be behind the bars."

"We are doing our best to find him, ma’am," Steward assured her.

"That man is still out there," Theodore grumbled, his expression hardening. "He is a threat to the women. Your efforts don’t seem enough to find him. Why don’t you just give up? I’ll have my men to look for him."

Steward chuckled. "I understand your frustration, Mr. Reid. Sorry that your wife has to go through that ordeal. But we’ll find him even if he is dead."

He cast a meaningful look at Theodore. "We checked the surveillance of the road. That night, you said you returned home from the hospital. I was surprised when I saw your car running in a different direction. From the intersection at Miot Square, you were supposed to take the right turn to come home, but your car headed straight. Where have you been that night, Mr. Reid?"

Theodore grew pensive. He knew this question would arise and had already prepared that answer.

Bella looked up at him worriedly, wondering where he had been that night if he had not returned home. That road didn’t go to the family mansion either. Why did he take that side of the road, especially on that stormy night? What was he hiding?

Just as doubts began to sneak into her thoughts, Theodore said calmly, "I already told you that I needed to prepare for an important meeting." I went to my assistant’s apartment to pick up some documents. He was supposed to come, but due to the rain, he couldn’t. I stopped him and told him that I would collect the documents on the way back home. Is there anything wrong?"

Steward’s eyebrows furrowed. He clearly wasn’t convinced, and the faint crease between his brows revealed his doubts. His instincts told him that Theodore’s story might not be entirely truthful. Still, the explanation seemed plausible enough to temporarily defuse his suspicion.

"Where is your assistant’s apartment?" he asked skeptically.

"A few kilometers ahead of the Miot square," Theodore replied. He didn’t say the exact location. He remembered the road he had taken that night to the abandoned factory. After that intersection, there was no light on the streets that night because of the heavy rain. He was confident the cops wouldn’t find where he had headed that night.

"Officer, can you please stop interrogating my husband?" Bella interjected, a hurtful look crossing her face. "You are asking him questions as if he is the wrong one here."

"I am doing only my duty," Steward defended himself.

Bella’s eyes flashed with a mix of anger and worry. "Your duty is to find O’Neil, not to interrogate my husband."

Steward’s gaze lingered on Theodore, his expression thoughtful. Despite the explanations given, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Theodore might be involved in O’Neil’s disappearance, but he also knew he couldn’t lay hands on such an influential man without solid proof. His smile was tight, a blend of politeness and veiled irritation.

"Interrogation is a part of the investigation, ma’am," he said. "Don’t feel offended. I assure you, we are doing everything we can to locate O’Neil. I just need to follow every lead, no matter where it takes me. Sorry to disturb you in your privacy. I’ll be in touch if I need anything further." With that, he turned and left.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, and the room fell into a heavy silence. Bella turned to Theodore, her face pale and worried. "Don’t you think he is acting weird?"

Theodore could tell the cops were suspecting his involvement in O’Neil’s disappearance. He had to be extra cautious. When he turned to Bella, he pulled a comforting smile over his lips.

"Don’t let him worry you," he said softly, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Now, go and get ready. Remember, there’s a surprise waiting for you."

Bella’s mood lifted instantly at the mention of the surprise. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as the earlier tension seemed to melt away. "Alright," she said with a bright smile. "Give me a few minutes."

She rushed back toward the bedroom, her steps light with anticipation. As he watched her go, Theodore’s face grew solemn. ’I won’t let anyone hurt her,’ he resolved.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Bella looked at the changing scenery outside with anticipation and curiosity. As the car smoothly glided along the cobblestone road leading into the exclusive residential complex, Bella’s curiosity heightened with every turn.

The entrance was marked by tall, wrought-iron gates that opened slowly as they approached, revealing a grand avenue lined with perfectly manicured hedges and towering oak trees. Bella’s eyes scanned her surroundings, taking in the quiet opulence of the area.

The houses were breathtaking—each one a masterpiece of modern architecture, blending glass, stone, and steel into designs that were both elegant and imposing. The lawns were immaculate, with bursts of color from carefully curated flower beds, and water features.

She shifted in her seat, glancing at Theodore, who remained silent but wore a playful smile, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel.

"Where are we going, Theodore?" Bella asked with a mixture of excitement and suspicion.

"You’ll see," he replied, keeping his eyes on the road but unable to hide the twinkle in them.

Theodore finally slowed the car in front of a stunning white stone house with large windows and sleek black trim. The house stood proudly at the end of a private drive. The manicured lawn was framed by lush greenery, and a stone pathway led to a grand, arched doorway.

Theodore stopped the car and turned to her, his smile widening as he watched her reaction.

Bella blinked, her eyes wide with wonder. "What are we doing here? Whose house is this?"

Theodore didn’t reply. He stepped out of the car, his movements deliberate as he walked around to Bella’s side. He opened the door with a flourish, offering her his hand. Bella accepted it, her curiosity growing as she looked at the magnificent house.

Theodore slipped something small and cool into her palm. She glanced down, her eyes widening as she realized what it was—a key.

Her heart skipped a beat. "Theodore..." she began, looking at him with wide, questioning eyes.

He took a step closer, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "This," he said, nodding towards the house, "is yours, Bella. I bought this house for you."