Willow’s hand froze mid-air, the glass of water hovering just inches from her lips. Theodore’s question had caught her off guard, and her expression shifted instantly from surprise to irritation. She scowled, slowly placing the glass back on the table. "What did you just say? Do you have any conscience at all? How could you even think I’d be interested in Zack?"
Theodore felt relief wash over him, but his curiosity lingered. What drove Willow to collaborate with him if she wasn’t interested in Zack?
"Then why do you want to partner with him?" he asked, his tone still filled with doubt. "If you really need a partner, I’m right here. I’ve always respected your independence and never pressured you to work with me. But I’m asking now—work with me. I can help you build your brand."
Willow’s response was immediate and firm. "No... that’s not going to happen," she rejected the offer flatly. "I don’t want any favors from the Reids."
Theodore’s patience frayed at the edges, his eyebrows knitting together in frustration. "Willow!" he snapped, his voice rising slightly. "I’m your brother. I want to help you."
But Willow was unmoved. "You’re not separate from the Reids," she shot back. "If I accept your help, it’ll give your stepmother an excuse to start spewing nonsense about me. I won’t give her that satisfaction. Mom struggled alone, kept her distance from the Reids, and I’m just following in her footsteps. I can’t take your favor. I’m sorry."
Theodore’s frustration boiled over, his fists clenching on the table. He had always felt powerless when it came to Willow. No matter how much he wanted to support her, she pushed him away.
"Why are you so stubborn?" The helplessness in his eyes was evident as he looked at her, pleading for some understanding. "Do you even see me as your brother? Why can’t you let me help you? I’m not like my father."
He wanted nothing more than to be there for her, but she kept building walls between them—walls that seemed impossible to break down.
Willow’s expression softened as she noticed the tension in Theodore’s eyes. She reached across the table, gently placing her hand on his tightly clenched fist.
"I’m not comparing you to him," she said with a note of reassurance. "I just want to succeed on my own terms. I don’t want people to think I’m only successful because I have a billionaire brother."
Theodore shook his head, a defeated sigh escaping his lips. "You and Bella are the same—neither of you want my help. It’s frustrating. Most people would jump at the chance to have my support, but you two keep pushing me away. Is it so wrong to want to help my sister and my wife?"
Willow couldn’t help but giggle at his exasperation. "You should be relieved that the most important women in your life aren’t constantly nagging you for favors. We’re independent."
"You two are the ones who worry me the most," he scoffed.
"Don’t sulk," Willow teased, giving his hand a playful tug. "Let’s not ruin a perfectly good evening. Come on, let’s order some food."
As they picked up the menus and began browsing through the dishes, someone watched them from across the room.
Zack had come to the restaurant for a business dinner with a client, but he hadn’t expected to see Theodore and Willow together. The sight of them, smiling and engaged in conversation, stirred a mixture of curiosity and suspicion within him.
He had heard rumors about Theodore and Willow possibly being involved, and seeing them like this only fueled his doubts. If Theodore truly had feelings for Willow, then why did Gina insist she was the only one in his heart? And where did that leave Bella, trapped in a contract marriage with Theodore?
The thought of Bella in such a situation made Zack’s heartache. He knew all too well what it felt like to be stuck in an unwanted relationship, and he couldn’t bear the idea of Bella suffering in silence.
His resolve hardened as he watched them. "I’ll make Bella mine," Zack muttered under his breath.
Across the restaurant, Willow and Theodore continued to enjoy their meal, the atmosphere between them warm and relaxed.
As they shared a light conversation, Willow looked up from her plate and said, "Since I’m going to collaborate with Zack, I’ve been thinking about moving my fashion house to this city. I’ll need a prime location for the company—and I’m also planning to buy a house. I could really use your help with both."
Theodore’s face lit up with a genuine smile. It was a rare moment when his sister sought his assistance, and he was more than happy to oblige. "That’s fantastic. Leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything."
"Thank you." Willow grinned gleefully.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"You’re pregnant," the doctor said with a warm smile.
Bella stared at her, wide-eyed and speechless, as disbelief washed over her. She had come to the hospital after work for a checkup, concerned about the nausea and constant restlessness she had been feeling lately. The possibility of pregnancy had never crossed her mind.
She was just worried something might be wrong with her health. But this? This was completely unexpected.
"Are you sure?" she exclaimed with disbelief.
"Yes, Miss Dawn. You’re eight weeks along," the doctor confirmed gently. "However, the fetus is still in a very delicate stage. You’ll need to be careful—avoid stress and intercourse for now. It’s important to talk to your boyfriend about this."
Bella smiled, her cheeks flushing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I will," she mumbled.
She placed a hand tenderly over her abdomen, her thoughts racing ahead to how Theodore might react. Part of her wanted to call him immediately and share the news, but another part of her wanted to savor this moment and surprise him in a special way.
Finally deciding to keep the news a secret for now, she thanked the doctor and walked out of the hospital, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips. As she stepped outside, her phone buzzed in her bag, pulling her from her thoughts. She reached for it and saw Bridget’s name flashing on the screen.
"Hello," she answered, her tone betraying her delight. But before she could say anything more, Bridget’s excited voice filled the line.
"Bella! I have to tell you something amazing! Joe got promoted—he is now the chief manager in the finance department!" Bridget’s enthusiasm was palpable.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
