Claudia’s panic flared, her voice lowering in a harsh whisper. "Are you insane? That man was in police custody. The entire department will be hunting for the killer. And Theodore...he won’t just let this slide."
"I had no choice," Franklin retorted. "I had to take the risk."
Claudia’s frustration boiled over. "Didn’t you say you hadn’t revealed anything about yourself?" she snapped. "What were you afraid of? If he didn’t know anything about you, how could he expose you?"
Franklin, now visibly agitated, shot back, "Oh, Mom, stop lecturing me. That man saw my face. He was a real threat. I had to make sure he was silenced."
Claudia’s temper flared. "But what if the police discover your involvement?" she demanded. "And worse, Theodore finds out! What then?"
"Nothing like that will happen," Franklin said confidently. "I have reliable contacts in the police. As long as I keep paying him, he won’t spill a word."
Claudia was not convinced. Her worry lingered. "Franklin, we can’t afford to trust anyone blindly. Loyalty is fleeting. Those who seem loyal today might turn against you tomorrow. You need to be extremely careful."
Franklin’s smirk deepened as he sensed his mother’s lingering worry. Leaning in closer, he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got everything under control," he said with a confident tone. "I promise I’ll be more careful next time."
Claudia sighed heavily, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly as she looked at her son. Despite her unease, she trusted Franklin’s abilities. "Alright, I’ll try not to dwell on it."
She straightened up, a determined glint in her eyes. "There is a charity gala this weekend. Theodore and Bella will certainly be there. I won’t attend, but I need you to go with Gina and keep a close watch on Theodore. Find out who he is meeting and what deals he is pursuing."
Franklin’s face lit up with a devious grin, his eyes sparkling with an uncanny light. "Of course, Mom. I’ll keep a close eye on them."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Theodore arrived at the hospital, his heart sinking as he found Bella alone. A sharp pang of guilt pierced him. He had rushed off to the mansion urgently, without a word to her. Worse, he hadn’t even arranged for Willow to stay with her. Now, seeing her vulnerable and alone, a wave of sadness washed over him.
He moved softly towards the bed, careful not to disturb her sleep. But as he drew closer, her eyes flickered open, and she looked up at him. Theodore froze, momentarily taken aback.
"I thought you were sleeping," he mumbled with a mix of surprise and guilt.
"No, I wasn’t," she replied, her voice weak and low.
Her mother had just left, and she had been lost in thought since then. The disturbing events of the previous day replayed in her mind on an endless loop. The question of her biological father tormented her - who was he? Why had he abandoned her and her mother? Had he been unfaithful?
But seeing Theodore by her side brought her some comfort, easing the tension that had coiled tightly within her. "I was wondering where you went all of a sudden," she added, her tone laced with a faint trace of worry.
Theodore took a seat on the chair beside the bed. "Grandpa called," he explained. "He was worried about you."
"Hmm," Bella hummed in response, closing her eyes. "I caused everyone so much trouble," she lamented. "I shouldn’t have gone there alone."
Regret hit her hard as she realized how reckless she had been. If she had informed Theodore beforehand, nothing like this would have happened.
Theodore’s heart ached for her, wishing he could take away her pain. Before he could respond, Bella opened her eyes again, her expression more focused as she asked, "How is Mrs. Green now?" Her eyes searched his, hoping for some good news to lighten the burden she felt.
Theodore’s face fell, the cheerful facade he had tried to maintain crumbling. There was nothing but bad news to share, and he dreaded the thought of burdening Bella with the troubling updates.
"Right now, her treatment is ongoing," he said carefully, keeping his voice even. He chose not to go into the details, knowing the news would only add to her distress. "Let’s hope for the best."
He offered her a reassuring smile as he took her hand, feeling the slight tremble in her fingers. "You should focus on resting and getting better," he urged gently.
Bella gave him a faint smile, but her eyes were clouded with unspoken guilt. "I’m sorry, Theodore."
He looked at her, puzzled. "Why are you apologizing now?"
Bella held his gaze. She apologized to him for doubting him, and for letting Claudia’s manipulations cast shadows on her trust in him. But she knew bringing it up would only hurt him, so she kept the apology vague.
"For everything that had happened," she murmured. "I can’t imagine what Lionel would have done to me if you hadn’t appeared in time."
Theodore’s grip on her hand tightened, his protective instinct flaring. "That’s all in the past now. Don’t dwell on it. Besides..." He trailed off, debating whether to tell her about Lionel’s death but decided against it. She didn’t need more to worry about right now. "Thinking about it won’t change anything," he added softly.
Bella nodded, knowing he was right, but a part of her was still restless. "True... But I still want to know who my real father is. Will you help me find him?"
Theodore didn’t hesitate. "Of course, I’ll help you. But don’t expect anything from him," he cautioned.
"I know." Bella’s expression became resolute. "I just want to know who he is. Beyond that, I don’t want anything to do with the man who abandoned us. I have questions that need answers, and that’s all."
She reached up and unclasped the sapphire pendant from around her neck, the one tangible connection she had to the father she had never known. Handing it to Theodore, she said, "This is the only thing I have from him. I hope it helps you find him."
Theodore took the pendant, his fingers brushing against the cool surface of the sapphire. He knew it well, every curve and detail etched into his memory, but now, it seemed to hold a new weight.
The pendant had always reminded him of the woman who had once saved him. But now, it took on a different significance. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry anymore; it was the only key to unlocking the mystery of Bella’s father.
Theodore closed his fingers around it, feeling the coolness of the metal against his skin.
He looked at Bella and felt a surge of resolve himself, seeing the determination in her eyes. The truth had to be brought to light, no matter how painful it might be. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
"I’ll do everything I can to find him," he promised. "You deserve those answers." With a final glance at the pendant, Theodore slipped it into his pocket.
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