Bella regained consciousness. Her eyes flickered open, the world a blur of pain. Her body throbbed with every shallow breath, reminding her of the brutality she had endured.
She groaned. It was disappointing that she was still in the same dingy room. Her gaze darted around, searching for a way out, a glimmer of hope. But her eyes landed on Lionel, a monstrous figure in the dim light, sitting on a worn-out chair.
"Awake?" His eyes, cold and calculating, met hers.
Fear crept into her heart. She scooted backward, as far away from him as she could, ignoring the pain in her body – afraid that he would beat her again.
Lionel checked the time on his phone, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "It’s almost dawn now and your boyfriend hasn’t come yet. It seems like he doesn’t care about you."
A flicker of defiance ignited in Bella’s eyes. She knew Theodore would come. He would save her. But the words that escaped her lips were a shield of bitterness. "I told you already – he has a girlfriend. Why would he waste money on me?"
"Shut up!" Enraged, Lionel leaped from the chair, his shadow looming over her.
Terror consumed Bella as she cowered, her chin tucked into her chest. Just as his fist was about to connect, a thunderous voice boomed through the room.
"Stop!" The door burst open, and a figure charged into the room.
Theodore stood at the threshold, his eyes blazing with fury. His presence filled the room, the intensity of his anger palpable. He had taken in the scene in an instant: Bella’s bruised and battered form, Lionel’s threatening stance, and the sheer terror in Bella’s eyes.
Lionel froze, momentarily shocked by Theodore’s sudden appearance.
A flicker of hope ignited in Bella’s eyes as she saw Theodore. But the fragile spark was quickly extinguished. Lionel, with a swift, brutal move, pulled Bella into his arms, the cold steel of a knife pressed against her throat.
"Don’t come any closer," Lionel growled threateningly. "Or else, she dies."
"Wait!" Theodore exclaimed, fear flashing across his eyes. His heart pounded in his ears as he took in the horrific scene. The man who was supposed to protect her and care for her was held captive, her life hanging by a thread. A silent rage simmered within him.
"Don’t hurt her. I brought the money." He held up the briefcase and then put it down. "Let her go. I promise I won’t tell anyone about this."
Theodore’s heart ached at the sight of her suffering. He was angry—angry at the man who dared to hurt her and angry at himself for not being able to come sooner and protect her.
"Theodore!" Bella choked out with emotions.
"I am here," he reassured her, though his insides were churning. "Nothing will happen to you."
Lionel, impatient and greedy, snapped, "Cut this emotional drama. Open the briefcase and let me see if you really brought the money."
"Alright, alright...I’ll open it right away." Theodore knelt, his gaze locked on Lionel, every muscle tense. As he carefully unlocked the briefcase, he assessed the situation, searching for a chance to retaliate.
Fresh stacks of notes gleamed under the dim light. Lione’s eyes flashed with greed as he saw the bag full of cash. His hold on Bella loosened a bit.
Theodore kept his focus steady on him, his hand inching towards the hidden knife in his shoe. "It’s all yours," he said, his tone deceptively calm. He deliberately pushed the briefcase a little away to distract Lionel. "Release her."
Lionel’s gaze flickered to the money, the allure of the cash threatening to overpower his caution. However, his grip tightened around Bella as he scanned Theodore with suspicion.
"Don’t try to trick me!" he warned. In a desperate gamble, he dragged Bella closer to the briefcase, his attention momentarily diverted.
Seizing the moment, Theodore lunged forward with lightning speed, drawing the knife from his shoe. He grabbed Lionel’s wrist, twisting it with a force that made him drop the knife. In one swift motion, he threw Lionel to the ground, pinning him down.
Bella stumbled back, her hands clutching her throat where the knife had pressed moments before. She watched in a daze as Theodore subdued Lionel, his movements precise and controlled. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
"Don’t you ever touch her again!" Theodore growled and held the knife to Lionel’s throat, ensuring he wouldn’t move.
With Lionel immobilized, Theodore turned to Bella, his expression softening. "Are you okay?"
Bella nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Meanwhile, the door burst open, and Tristan, followed by two uniformed policemen, stormed into the room. They moved quickly, their expressions stern and determined. The officers grabbed Lionel and forced him to his knees.
"You’re under arrest," one of the policemen declared, snapping handcuffs onto Lionel’s wrists. Lionel struggled, His eyes burning with rage and defeat.
"Bella!" Theodore rushed over to her and securely pulled her into his embrace. "It’s over now. I am here."
"I knew you would come." Bella looked up at Theodore, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for coming for me."
Theodore brushed a strand of hair from her face, his eyes softening. "I’ll always protect you," he promised.
Tristan took the briefcase in his hand and snarled, "Foolish man! You should have known before kidnapping her who you are offending. Now, you will be spending the rest of your life in prison."
Terror flashed in Lionel’s eyes. "No!" he pleaded. "I don’t want to go to jail... Bella, dear... I am your father. Please forgive me. I promise I won’t trouble you or your mother again."
Bella chuckled bitterly, ignoring the ache in her body as she broke free from Theodore’s arms. "Forgiveness?" she scoffed, stepping forward. "I told you to let me go. You didn’t listen. You brought this on yourself. Now face the consequences."
"Bella, you can’t do this to me," Lionel pleaded desperately. "For the sake of the past, please let me go. I raised you, sheltered you..."
"Stop it, Lionel," Bella snapped. "Your words mean nothing. You abused me. My mother suffered her whole life because of you—no more. You mean nothing to us. Take him away."
The policemen hauled Lionel to his feet, his protests growing weaker as they dragged him out. Bella watched him go, her heart hardened by years of suffering.
"It’s over," Theodore said softly, reaching out to take her hand. "You’re safe now."
Bella nodded, tears of relief and exhaustion welling up in her eyes. Theodore held her close, his embrace a promise of protection and love. Just as they thought the nightmare was over, Lionel’s desperate cries pierced their ears.
"Bella, you ungrateful brat. Do you think you and your mother could have survived if I hadn’t shown mercy to you? Your birthfather had abandoned your mother and refused to acknowledge you. I was the one who gave you my name."
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