Bridget’s eyes widened. "Willow Taylor? The one you admired?"
Bella nodded, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Yes, she is the one I admired. Thanks to Theodore, she is taking on Brico’s latest project. They’re obviously close, and it’s evident in the way they look at each other. Something is going on between them. Theodore lied to me."
Joe, who had been silently observing the exchange, furrowed his brow, growing pensive. "Maybe they are just business partners or good friends," he offered cautiously. "If he had feelings for this Willow woman, why wouldn’t he have married her? Why choose you? I am telling you, Bella...there is more to this than meets the eye."
But Bella, her judgment clouded by alcohol and a bruised heart, was deaf to his words. "He lied," she muttered with despair. "Lied about liking me. He has someone else in his heart."
Bridget and Joe exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to console their friend. They knew they had to help her see the bigger picture, but at that moment, all they could do was offer their presence and support.
Bridget gently took the shot glass from Bella’s hand, while Joe placed a comforting arm around her shoulders, hoping she would find some solace in their company.
Bella kept mumbling something, with a hurtful look on her face.
"Let’s go home, Bella," Bridget said gently, tapping on her shoulder. "Joe, help me."
They each took one of Bella’s arms, lifting her to her feet and guiding her out of the bar. The night air was crisp. Bridget and Joe shivered slightly, but Bella seemed oblivious to the change in temperature, her lips still forming the same mumbled accusations.
They were just outside when they caught sight of Theodore ushering Willow into a car, his hand lingering on the roof for a moment as he leaned in to speak with the woman behind the wheel. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Joe’s eyes narrowed, his earlier hope dwindling. "I thought it was a misunderstanding and that they were just business partners or friends."
"Humph!" Bridget snorted. "These rich people don’t hesitate to play with the emotions of others. He clearly has a thing for that woman."
"Undoubtedly." Joe nodded grimly. There was no denying it. The way Theodore lingered, the attentiveness in his gesture - it painted a picture that left no room for doubt.
Unaware of the eyes on him, Theodore continued his conversation with Willow. "Thanks for bringing me here. The food wasn’t bad."
Willow’s playful smile flickered. "Don’t be so modest," she snapped teasingly. "Just admit you liked it."
Theodore chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright! You win. The food was excellent."
"Good to hear it." She leaned in to briefly brush his cheek with a kiss.
"Drive safely, and don’t forget about dinner tomorrow night at my place," he reminded her.
"I won’t...I can’t wait to see your wife." Willow giggled, igniting the car. "Good night, brother." With a wave and a final wink, Willow pulled away, merging into the stream of nighttime traffic.
Theodore watched her car disappear into the distance, a smile playing on the corners of his lips. He turned to head towards his own car, only to stop short as he caught sight of a familiar figure emerging from the restaurant.
It was Bella, her steps unsteady as Bridget and Joe held her arms on either side. A frown creased Theodore’s brow.
He distinctly remembered her mentioning spending the night with her friends before moving into his villa the next day. The sight of her inebriated state, however, was entirely unexpected.
Annoyance flickered to life within him, a spark quickly growing into a full-fledged inferno. He strode towards them with a determined gait, the carefree demeanor of moments ago replaced by a stormy resolve.
"Bella!" Theodore called out, blocking their path.
Joe instinctively stepped forward, raising a hand in a defensive gesture. "Hold on there," he growled. "She doesn’t need your help. We’ve got this."
Theodore scowled, his annoyance deepening at Joe’s hostile tone. "Do you have any idea who I am?" he demanded, puffing out his chest in a show of authority.
"Oh, believe me, we know exactly who you are," Joe spat back with disdain.
Bridget, her face etched with disappointment, stepped forward and addressed Theodore directly. "Shame on you, Theodore Reid," she barked, her voice shaking with righteous anger. "You were supposed to be with your wife, yet here you are, cavorting with another woman. If you don’t have feelings for Bella, why on earth did you marry her?"
Theodore’s jaw dropped. What? Another woman? It dawned on him with sickening clarity that they had completely misinterpreted the situation.
This was a ridiculous misunderstanding.
He groaned inwardly. Why did people always jump to conclusions without taking a moment to understand the truth?
He was disappointed, tinged with a deep hurt. It stung, particularly coming from Bella. Shouldn’t she have come to him directly if she had any doubts?
"We saw everything," Bridget snapped. "Now step aside. And instead of bothering us, go find your...girlfriend."
"That’s enough!" Theodore roared in frustration, pulling Bella toward him. In a swift movement, he reached out and scooped Bella into his arms, her drunken stupor offering no resistance. He held her close, a possessiveness coloring his gesture.
"I can perfectly well take care of my wife myself," he declared. With Bella nestled securely in his arms, he turned on his heel and began to stride away.
"You can’t take her away," Bridget barked. "I’ll scream right here until everyone knows what you’ve done!"
Theodore spun on his heel, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. "You want to test me?" he challenged. "One scream and you’ll regret it. Deeply."
"You!" Bridget bristled, her mouth opening to retort, but Joe intervened. Placing a calming hand on her arm, he gently pulled her back, realizing provoking Theodore would only bring disaster to their lives.
"Mr. Reid, Bella has been through a lot in her life," Joe said, his tone becoming gentler. "Please take care of her."
"She’s my wife," Theodore stated simply, a hint of possessiveness tinging his words. "Of course, I’ll take care of her. However," he added, his gaze shifting back to Bridget. "But you should use caution before making opinions about other people."
With that final warning, Theodore turned and began to walk away, Bella’s limp form cradled protectively in his arms. Bridget and Joe stood there, speechless, the weight of his words sinking in.
"Why did he say that?" Joe finally ventured, a flicker of doubt creeping into his eyes. "Did we misunderstand him?"
Bridget shook her head, her gaze lost in the retreating figure. "I don’t know. But all I care about right now is Bella. I hope she’ll be alright."
Joe squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "She is a strong woman," he murmured. "She can handle anything."
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