Selena’s heart clenched, dread gripping her like a vise. "Bella is injured?" she repeated, her emotions threatening to choke her.
"Poor girl," Claudia continued, her expression softening into an imitation of sympathy. "She has been through so much. Thankfully, she was rescued in time. Who knows what that monster might have done if he hadn’t been stopped? You should think about my suggestion and leave far away from here – away from your abusive husband."
Selena’s breath came in shallow gasps as the room closed in around her. The horror of Claudia’s words sank in, each sentence twisting the knife deeper. The thought of Bella suffering at the hands of her stepfather was unbearable.
Selena’s mind reeled as she reflected on the years of hardship she had endured. The echoes of Lionel’s verbal and physical abuse haunted her, a constant reminder of the painful past she had tried to endure for Bella’s sake.
She had clung to the hope that, once Bella was secure, she could escape Lionel’s grip. But now, all she had gained from this relationship was a legacy of trauma and suffering. And now, her daughter was caught in the same cycle of abuse.
The realization hit hard, fueling a simmering rage beneath her despair. The idea of Lionel kidnapping and torturing Bella ignited a fury within her that burned with the intensity of a thousand suns. Selena could no longer tolerate the thought of being connected to such cruelty.
Claudia watched Selena’s anguish with satisfaction, knowing that her words had hit their mark.
"With a family background like this, Bella is not fit to be Theodore’s wife," she said with a menacing edge. "Take her away and never come back."
With that final command, Claudia turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her chin held high in a show of triumph.
Selena was left alone, her shoulders slumped in defeat. The tears she had held back finally broke free, streaming down her face in a torrent of grief. "Bella, I’m so sorry," she sobbed, her body shaking with the intensity of her sorrow. "Mamma couldn’t protect you."
After a while, her tears subsided, leaving her with a newfound resolve. She crushed the crumpled paper in her hand, the pain of the moment fueling her determination. Her face hardened, though still tinged with the remnants of her tears.
"No more suffering. I’ll protect you from now on."
Inside Bella’s ward...
Willow glanced at the clock, her brow furrowing. "Why is he not back yet?"
Bella, sensing her growing anxiety, offered a reassuring smile. "You should leave now, Willow. You must be tired."
Willow hesitated, her concern for Bella overriding her own fatigue. "But you are alone, and I don’t know why Theodore is taking so long," she protested.
Bella squeezed Willow’s hand gently. "I’ll be fine, don’t worry. Go home and rest."
Willow’s eyes searched Bella’s face, uncertain. "Are you sure?" she asked skeptically.
Bella nodded, her smile firm. "Yes. Theodore will be back soon."
Willow sighed. "Okay then...I’ll leave now." She pulled her into a hug. "Take care of yourself. I’ll come tomorrow."
As soon as the door clicked shut, Bella pulled the blanket up to her chin, attempting to sleep. But the horrific images of Lionel’s brutality kept replaying in her mind, prompting her to open her eyes frantically. Fear gripped her heart as she imagined him returning to inflict more pain.
She looked around in a frenzy, her chest heaving rapidly. To her relief, there was no one around. She was all alone.
’He can’t come here,’ she assured herself. ’The police took him away.’
She put her trembling hands on her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.
The eerie creak of the door opening startled her. Her eyes widened in shock as a familiar figure emerged, her frail body moving slowly. It was her mother.
"Mamma!" Bella exclaimed, sitting bolt upright, momentarily forgetting the pain that shot through her body. Her whole frame protested, eliciting a soft whimper from her lips.
Selena moved towards her daughter, her heart aching as she took in the extent of Bella’s injuries. The bruises on her face were a testament to the brutality she had endured. Tears streamed down Selena’s face, each mark on Bella’s skin like a wound to her own heart. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"Bella!" She cupped her face, choked with emotion. "That man is a real monster. I’ll not forgive him for this. He has to pay the price."
"How did you know about it?" Bella asked with astonishment. "Who told you I am here?"
"Even if you didn’t tell me, such things couldn’t be hidden for long," Selena replied, disappointed. "Besides, we are in the same hospital. It’s not that difficult to find out which ward you are staying."
Bella’s expression softened as she reached out to grasp her mother’s hands. "Mamma, I know you expected me to tell you everything," she said softly. "I’m sorry. But there is nothing to be worried about. Lionel has been dealt with. He will not be coming out of jail anytime soon."
Bella was no longer thinking about Lionel. Her mind was preoccupied with the unsettling revelation about her biological father, but she struggled to find a way to bring it up with her mother. The thought of raising such a delicate topic, especially given Selena’s frail state, made Bella hesitant. She feared that discussing her real father might distress her mother further.
Instead, Bella decided to shift the conversation. "I’m so grateful to Theodore," she said with a warm smile, hoping to lighten the mood. "He came just in time to rescue me."
"Theodore saved you!" Selena was surprised.
Bella nodded, her heart swelling with admiration. "He did," she murmured nostalgically. "He didn’t hesitate to put himself at risk. He was willing to do anything to keep me safe."
Bella’s gaze softened as she recalled Theodore’s courage. She had seen the sincerity in his eyes, which had dissolved any doubts she once had. She truly believed in his love for her.
Selena listened intently, her own surprise giving way to a thoughtful expression. As she heard Bella recount Theodore’s bravery and witnessed the unwavering love her daughter had for him, Selena began to reconsider her earlier doubts. Seeing how much Theodore cared for Bella, Selena started to believe that perhaps they were meant for each other. She even wondered if Claudia’s harsh words had been a ploy to drive them apart.
If Bella found happiness with Theodore, Selena thought, she would support their relationship and pray for their future stability and peace.
She shoved the crushed document into the pocket of her hospital gown. With a gentle smile, she reached out to pat Bella’s head. "I’m glad you have someone like Theodore looking out for you."
Bella beamed, her heart filled with warmth.
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