Theodore’s mind was in a mess. The disquieting truth gnawed at his conscience. If he felt this disturbed, Bella would be utterly shattered by the revelation. The idea of revealing it to her felt unbearable.
He wrestled with the decision. ’No...it’s better the truth remained hidden from her,’ he decided, resolving to keep the matter from reaching her ears. He would do whatever it took to ensure that no one brought it up in her presence.
With a deep breath, Theodore pulled his phone from his coat pocket and dialed Bella’s number. The call connected quickly, and her familiar, soothing voice greeted him.
"Hello?"
A faint smile tugged at Theodore’s lips despite his inner turmoil. "Are you still at the hospital?" he asked.
"No, I came with Bridget and Joe. Right now, I am at their place."
"Stay there. I’m coming." He ended the call and turned to his driver. "Take me to Bridget’s apartment," he instructed.
As the car pulled away, Theodore stared out the window, his mind still racing with the implications of what he was about to do.
Several minutes later, Bella received Theodore’s call, asking her to come out. With a quick goodbye to Bridget and Joe, Bella left the house. A wide grin bloomed on her face as she spotted the familiar car parked on the side of the road.
She practically skipped over, flinging open the back seat door and slipping inside. Her smile widened further, crinkling the corners of her eyes.
Theodore couldn’t help but mirror her smile, though a shadow of worry lingered in his heart. Reaching out, he caressed her hair.
Bella instinctively reached for his hand, their fingers intertwining. "Mamma is recovering well," she chirped, brimming with optimism. "They are moving her to the ward tomorrow."
"That’s wonderful news," he murmured, his gaze softening as he stole a moment to admire her.
"I missed you," she confessed, scooting closer and snuggling against him.
"Me too," he echoed hoarsely, resting his head on top of hers.
"How about Grandpa? Is he mad at me?" Bella tilted her head up, searching his face for a response.
Theodore’s heart clenched. How on earth did she know Malcolm was angry? "Why would you think that?" he managed calculatedly, forcing a neutral tone.
Bella shrugged. "I didn’t go see him last weekend, so I figured he might be upset. I didn’t even apologize to him."
Theodore felt even more depressed. Here, Bella was considering apologizing to Malcolm for not visiting him. But his grandfather wanted to chase her out of the family. Bella would be sad if she learned this.
"There is no need to apologize," he soothed, pulling her into a hug. "He understands about your mom’s surgery. You shouldn’t worry about visiting him until she is fully recovered."
"Are you sure?" Bella persisted, a sliver of doubt lingering in her voice. "He won’t be mad?"
"Positive," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. All the while, a silent vow bloomed in his heart. He would convince his grandfather to accept Bella, no matter the cost.
The car finally lurched to a stop in front of the familiar villa. Theodore stepped out first and hurried around to open Bella’s door. The simple gesture sent a warmth blooming in her chest. Their eyes met, and her heart hammered against her ribs. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
Before she could even contemplate a step out, Theodore surprised her by scooping her into his arms in a bridal style. A startled yelp escaped her lips, quickly dissolving into a string of delighted giggles.
The sound was music to his ears. He gazed down into her sparkling blue eyes, murmuring, "My queen shall not dirty her feet on the ground today."
Bella threw her head back and laughed wholeheartedly, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. "My king! You spoil me rotten. Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn into a demanding wife?"
"All your demands are my commands," he declared with a playful glint in his eyes. He carried her effortlessly towards their bedroom. Kicking the door shut behind him, he put her on her feet, his gaze still locking with hers.
"You must be tired," he observed softly. "Perhaps you’d like to rest for a while? I can brew some fresh coffee."
"I had some with Bridget and Joe," Bella informed him, tugging playfully at his hand to stop him from leaving.
His gaze drifted down to her, watching as she nonchalantly shrugged off her shoes and stretched luxuriously, her arms reaching above her head.
"Ah, it feels good to be home," she sighed, a contented smile gracing her lips. "Stay with me for a while, won’t you?" She cast him a coquettish look, reaching out to capture his hand in hers.
Theodore, unable to resist her plea, shrugged off his coat and draped it over the nearby hook. He closed the distance between them, their bodies drawn together by an invisible force.
"Alright," he agreed. "Let’s sit for a while." He sat down on the edge of the bed.
Looking up at him with concern etched onto her face, Bella noted the tension in his shoulders. "You seem stressed," she murmured softly. "Why don’t you relax?"
The raw honesty in her voice struck a chord within him. "I wouldn’t mind that," he admitted, his voice thick with unspoken emotions. In a single, fluid motion, he pulled her close, settling her comfortably on his lap.
A delighted laugh bubbled up from Bella’s lips at his playfulness. "Aren’t you tired, though?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I am... But with you here, all my worries and tensions simply melt away." He pulled her close, his arms tightening around her waist.
Bella felt the comforting warmth of his body radiate against hers. She reached up, her fingers tracing a gentle path along the lines of his face, then trailing down to the collar of his shirt. With a deliberate touch, she began to unbutton it.
Theodore watched her, his breath catching in his throat. The stress of the day seemed to ease away under the gentle touch. His hands mirrored hers, finding the zipper of her dress and slowly pulling it down. The fabric slithered down her shoulders, revealing the smooth, creamy expanse of her skin.
Bella shivered slightly, not from cold, but from anticipation.
They moved in unison, shedding the layers of their workday attire until they were both standing in their undergarments. Silence hung heavy in the air, punctuated only by labored breathing and the occasional sigh of surrender.
Theodore pulled Bella into his arms, their bodies pressing together, the heat between them igniting a spark that had been simmering all evening.
"I want you," he whispered breathlessly.
"Take me," she whispered back.
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