Bella’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink. The notion of a special request, of a dish cooked solely for her in this opulent setting, was a luxury she couldn’t even dream of. "No, no, please don’t go to any trouble." A nervous smile plastered on her face. "I’m sure I can find something suitable here."
With trembling fingers, she opened the menu once again, the unfamiliar names and astronomical prices blurring before her eyes.
Just as she felt overwhelmed, the menu was snatched from her grasp, and slammed it down. Bella glanced up at him with a gaping mouth, dumbfounded.
"What is it you truly want to eat, Bella?" he demanded.
Bella blinked, her mind still reeling from the unexpected display of dominance. "Fr... fried chicken," she stammered, the words tumbling out in a robotic monotone.
A flicker of amusement crossed Theodore’s features before he reached for his phone and called someone. "Get the chef on the line," he commanded. Moments later, he spoke again. "Fried chicken for two, prepared to perfection. And make it snappy."
Bella watched him, a mixture of confusion and curiosity warring within her. She was emotional at the same time. No one had ever fulfilled her demands in this way. Looking at how caring he was, she grew hopeful—hopeful that her future would be secured with him. The corners of her lips lifted in a tentative smile
The fried chicken arrived in no time. The chef, a man adorned in a pristine white toque, presented the dish with a flourish. "A special request from Mr. Reid for you, ma’am. I trust it meets your expectations. Please, enjoy your meal."
As the chef left, Bella thanked Theodore, her eyes shining with overwhelming emotions and gratitude. The sight of the golden-brown fried chicken triggered a flood of memories.
"What are you looking at? Start eating."
Bella blinked back the tears that welled up in her eyes. "It’s nothing," she mumbled, forcing a smile. "Just... memories." Taking a deep breath, she explained, "My mother used to make the best fried chicken." After her mother got sick, she couldn’t eat it anymore, and Bella also stopped too. "I miss her cooking."
Theodore reached across the table, his touch gentle as he squeezed her hand. "Eat. Enjoy the chicken."
Bella blinked her tears away and savored the delicious fried chicken.
As they finished eating, Theodore stood up and walked over to her.
"There’s something I have for you," he murmured, his voice a husky whisper that sent goosebumps erupting across her skin. He paused for a moment, his presence a tangible warmth against her back. "Close your eyes, Bella," he instructed, a hint of anticipation lacing his tone.
Bella complied, her heart racing with excitement. Every inch of her skin thrummed with an electric awareness of Theodore standing impossibly close. His warmth seemed to radiate, creating a heated bubble around them. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Her nerves sang with anticipation. The urge to peek, to see what surprise awaited her, gnawed at her, but she held herself back. Just as her restlessness threatened to spill over, she felt something cool caress her neck.
Bella’s hand shot up, instinctively finding the pendant nestled against her chest, her fingers brushing on it. The familiar oval shape sent a jolt through her. With a gasp, she tore her eyes open and met with the sight of her long-lost pendant.
Her eyes turned watery instantly. "Where did you find it?" she croaked as she looked up at him. The exhilarating possibility that he might be the mysterious stranger sent a delicious thrill coursing through her.
Theodore circled her and knelt in front of her, taking her hands gently in his. His smile was wide and filled with affection, his gaze never wavering from hers.
"You dropped it while saving me," he murmured. "I would have died that night, but you appeared out of nowhere. You saved me – you gave me this life, Bella. You’re my angel, Isabella."
A tide of emotions surged through Bella’s chest, a potent mix of joy and disbelief. She grinned through her tears. "It was you," she choked out, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," he confirmed. "It was me."
Theodore’s eyes shone with gratitude and something more—something that made her believe in the possibility of affection. She interlaced her fingers with his and whispered, "Thank you for finding me."
Theodore chuckled as he recalled his efforts to find her. "After that accident, I was in a coma for six months," he revealed.
Bella’s smile faltered, worry lines appearing on her brow. After getting him medical attention, she hadn’t gone to follow-up. She had never thought of finding out what had happened to him. However, fate had not only brought them back together but had inexplicably tied their lives together in marriage.
A wave of astonishment washed over Bella. The universe, it seemed, had maneuvered their paths to this unexpected intersection.
Thrilling joy battled with a nagging worry in the back of her mind. Back then, she had acted purely on instinct, pulling a stranger from the wreckage. There had been no attachment, no connection.
Now, however, that stranger was her husband, and a fierce desire to understand the accident, and the trauma he had endured, gnawed at her. How had he ended up in that car that fateful night?
"Six months in a coma," she repeated with concern. "What happened that night?"
Theodore’s expression turned somber. He looked down at their joined hands, a shadow passing over his features. "I was driving to my farmhouse. The road was empty, and the speed was on the higher side. Then..." He trailed off as the memory resurfaced. "The car brakes didn’t work," he mumbled in a daze. "I lost control and crashed."
Bella’s heart ached for him. She could see the pain in his eyes as he recounted the traumatic event. She squeezed his hands, offering silent support.
"Before losing consciousness, I heard a voice and saw a face," he recounted. "But I couldn’t see it properly. All that remained were flashes of memory – your blonde hair, the vibrant blue of your eyes, and a name... Isabella. It was a constant echo in my mind. I had to find you, express my gratitude, and return this."
His gaze dipped to the glint of the green sapphire pendant nestled on her chest.
"Finding you seemed impossible," he breathed. "But the resolve never left me. My determination was a constant fuel, pushing me forward." He paused yet again, recalling those days when he felt disappointed quite a few times. "Despite the setbacks, I held onto the belief that I would find you someday."
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