Bella returned home with a heavy heart, her mood somber and thoughts weighed down by her conversation with her mother. She collapsed onto the sofa, her mind swirling with unanswered questions about her father.
She had tried to pry out even the smallest details—his name, his origins—but Selena had remained tight-lipped, refusing to reveal anything. In the end, Bella was left in the dark, knowing nothing about the man who had abandoned them. She had even promised her mother she would stop searching for him, but the emptiness gnawed at her.
Leaning forward, she covered her face with her hands, her elbows resting on her knees as the frustration and sorrow threatened to overwhelm her.
The door clicked open, and Theodore entered the room.
Bella slowly lowered her hands and looked up, weariness seeping into her appearance. Her eyes, still glistening from recent tears, met his, revealing the depth of her anguish.
Theodore’s heart tightened at the sight. Without a word, he sat beside her and pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
"I am here now," he said. "Don’t cry."
Bella melted into his embrace, resting her head against his chest. The warmth of his body was a comfort she desperately needed. She felt she was lucky to have him. Theodore wasn’t like her father. He was dependable, loving, and unwavering. He would never abandon her.
"I won’t cry," she whispered.
Theodore gently cupped her face, tilting it up so he could look into her eyes. "Are you sure you are okay?" he asked, his gaze searching hers, trying to understand the storm of emotions swirling within her.
Bella nodded, a soft hum of agreement escaping her lips. But despite her resolve, fresh tears welled up, spilling over and tracing silent paths down her cheeks. She couldn’t hold them back, no matter how hard she tried.
He gently wiped her tears away. "You just said you wouldn’t cry. Why are you crying now?"
Bella blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the flood of emotions. She attempted to lighten the mood, offering him a soft, tear-streaked smile. "I’m just emotional. You’re so good to me. Your love...it softens my heart."
Theodore’s lips curved into a teasing smile. "Are you praising me?"
Bella nodded quickly, her smile widening even as tears still glistened in her eyes. "Yes, I am. Not everyone is as good as you. I’m lucky to be your wife."
"No...It’s me who is lucky." He chuckled softly, his fingers brushing tenderly against her cheek. Their eyes met, locking in an unspoken exchange of love and understanding. For a moment, they simply sat there, basking in the silence, finding comfort in each other’s presence.
But then, Bella’s expression began to falter, her smile slowly fading. Theodore’s heart tightened as he noticed the change. He assumed her sadness was tied to Lionel’s death.
"Are you thinking about Lionel’s funeral?" he asked gently. "Don’t worry. Everything has been taken care of."
"Thank you," Bella whispered with gratitude. But her eyes remained troubled. "That’s not what’s on my mind."
Theodore’s curiosity piqued, he leaned in closer, sensing there was more she needed to share. After a brief hesitation, Bella finally spoke. "I talked to my mother about my biological father."
Theodore’s intrigue deepened. "Did you tell her you know he isn’t dead? Did she tell you anything about him?"
Bella shook her head slowly, the weight of disappointment clear in her eyes. "No, she didn’t say anything about him. She wants nothing to do with him. To her, he is as good as dead."
Theodore remained silent, absorbing her words. He could see the pain etched on her face, the yearning for answers that remained elusive.
"Why? At least, you have the right to know about him," he countered.
"No," Bella denied straight away. "After learning what he did to my mother, I don’t want to know him. He doesn’t deserve to be my father."
Theodore was left speechless, the gravity of her words sinking in. His curiosity about the man who had caused so much pain only deepened, but he could see that Bella’s decision was final.
"Tell me everything you learned about him," he urged.
Bella recounted whatever she had heard from her mother.
Theodore listened to Bella in silence, his mind processing the weight of what she had shared. He understood the depth of Selena’s anger and pain. The man who had abandoned her, leaving her to raise Bella alone, had done more than just walk away—he had shattered their lives.
A cold fury began to build within him. The man had been nothing more than a cruel betrayer, unworthy of being a father or a partner.
"I don’t want to look for him any longer," Bella concluded, her tone weary but firm. "Please, stop searching for him." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Theodore wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "As you wish, sweetheart."
Bella’s thoughts drifted to the sapphire pendant, a symbol of false promises and heartbreak. "And that pendant – I don’t want it anymore. Throw it away or give it to someone else."
Theodore paused, considering her words. "There is a fundraising event for the orphanage," he recalled, thinking of the annual charity his company supported. "How about we auction it there?"
"Do whatever you think is best." Bella no longer cared about the object that had once held so much significance. All she wanted was to leave the past behind.
Several days later...
Bella found herself navigating through a whirlwind of emotions. The past week had been particularly challenging. Lionel’s funeral had weighed heavily on her heart. Just as she was beginning to come to terms with it, the news of Mrs. Green’s passing hit her like a storm.
Yet, through it all, Theodore remained her rock. His unwavering love and support helped her weather the storm of grief and begin to heal.
Gradually, peace returned to her life. Selena’s recovery had gone smoothly, and she was finally able to return home. Though Bella had begged her mother to stay with her longer, Selena’s desire to return home and take care of Mrs. Green’s café was stronger.
Bella understood her mother’s need for independence, and the desire to reclaim her life after so many years of living in fear. Her mother was finally free to pursue her passion without the shadow of abuse looming over her, and that knowledge brought Bella a deep sense of joy.
With her mother’s newfound freedom, Bella turned her attention to her own life. The upcoming fashion show and the launch of their project’s products were fast approaching. The excitement was palpable, but so was the anxiety. There was so much at stake, and Bella wanted everything to be perfect.
Willow had tasked her to finalize the catalogs for the product launch. Bella had been diligently working on them since she arrived at the office, her focus sharp and determined. Meanwhile, she received a call from Willow, interrupting her concentration.
"Can you come to my office?" Willow’s voice was tinged with urgency.
"Sure. I’ll be right there."
Bella tucked the folder containing the confidential design drafts into her desk drawer and left. Her mind was already on the conversation she would have with Willow, completely unaware of the eyes that had been watching her every move.
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