A slow smile crept back onto Willow’s face, genuine joy erupting from within. "Theo, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "I’m so happy for you both!"
In a burst of sisterly affection, she lunged forward, engulfing them in a giant hug.
Theodore chuckled, his broad arms easily encircling both women. He reveled in this moment of newfound family unity.
"Surprise!" he said with a mix of amusement and triumph. "I wanted you two to meet, but I figured this would be more interesting."
Willow stepped back and met his gaze with excitement. "Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could have brought some gifts for Bella."
"I wanted it to be a surprise," he replied delightfully. "And I think it worked perfectly."
Amid this joyous moment, Bella was silent. She couldn’t find any joy. Shame, guilt, and regret gnawed at her, threatening to drown her in a wave of self-loathing.
Willow held Bella’s hand and apologized sincerely. "Bella, I’m sorry if this was confusing. I should have introduced myself properly from the start."
Bella nodded slowly, still processing everything. "I just... I didn’t expect this."
Theodore smirked knowingly as he knew too well that she was embarrassed, his expression softening. "I know it was a lot to take in. But now you know the truth. Willow is my sister."
Bella nodded slowly, pulling her chin down as she couldn’t face Willow.
Sensing her distress, Willow was a bit surprised. "Bella. Are you okay? You don’t seem happy to see me."
Her words were a fresh wave of humiliation for Bella. She fumbled for a response, her mind a tangled mess. "I-I’m just..." she stammered, "shocked. This is all so unexpected. And... your last name, it’s Taylor. I never thought you’d be a Reid."
Understanding softened Willow’s gaze. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Bella’s shoulder. "Dear, I took my mother’s surname."
"I see." A flicker of comprehension dawned on Bella. Now it all made sense.
If Willow had retained the Reid name, this colossal misunderstanding could have been avoided. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to blame her. Following the divorce, it was clear Willow’s mother had severed ties with the Reid family. Choosing her mother’s surname was a natural consequence.
"Now tell me your story," Willow chirped, her excitement bubbling over. "How did you two meet? When did you get married? I want all the juicy details!"
Bella, however, remained rooted to the spot, her face burning with shame. Talking to Willow, let alone facing her, felt like an insurmountable task. Thankfully, Theodore was overflowing with enthusiasm, ready to talk about Bella the whole night.
"I’ll tell you everything," he boomed, gesturing for them to sit.
Willow eagerly settled on the sofa, clutching a cushion. Theodore followed suit, pulling a now-motionless Bella close to him. With a theatrical flourish, he cleared his throat and began his tale.
"Technically, we encountered an accident. But I didn’t see her face properly at that time. It wasn’t until I woke up from that coma that I realized I had to find her. And then, bam! She appeared in front of me in a messy state that night at the club."
He turned to Bella, his gaze filled with a soft nostalgia.
"Oh, that’s interesting." Willow grew even more intrigued.
"Unfortunately, I couldn’t recognize her," he continued. "But there was something about her that reminded me of Isabella, and I proposed."
Willow’s jaw dropped. "On your first meeting? Seriously, Theo?"
"Hey, you know me," he said with a playful grin. "Impatient as ever."
He then briefed Willow about how they had registered their marriage and how he finally learned Bella was the woman he had been looking for.
Bella hesitated for a moment, then decided to share her side of the story. "At first, I was shocked and confused. I didn’t know what to think."
Theodore squeezed her hand, his expression tender. "And now, I can’t imagine my life without her."
Willow beamed at them, clearly delighted. "I’m so happy for you both. It’s wonderful to see my brother so happy and in love. But the funny part is that you were married, but you didn’t know she was the woman who saved you. It seems your intel is growing weaker."
"Hey now, don’t underestimate my team," Theodore said, supporting his subordinates. "They are a brilliant bunch, working hard day and night. Sometimes mistakes happen. But the important thing is Bella is here now, and all mine."
Bella offered a weak smile, the embers of embarrassment still glowing beneath her skin. As she watched the easy banter flow between Willow and Theodore, a new realization dawned on her.
Theodore was right when he said Willow was special to him. The bond they shared was undeniable. Bella found herself genuinely liking Willow, despite the awkwardness of the situation.
Yet, a knot of guilt remained lodged in her chest. Should she apologize? Should she confess her colossal misunderstanding and the accusations that had festered within her?
"Theo, I am happy for you." Willow’s voice drew her back to reality. "Just remember to cherish her, Bella is one of a kind. Don’t you ever disappoint her, alright?"
"I won’t," Theodore asserted, pulling Bella closer to him and placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I know you misunderstood me and Willow," he whispered in her ear, "and you are embarrassed now."
Bella’s cheeks turned red instantly. She couldn’t lift her head.
Seeing her flushed look, Willow decided to give them some much-needed space.
"Okay guys, you two have some time together." She got to her feet. "I’ll go say hello to Mrs. Carter." With a wink, she sauntered away, leaving Bella and Theodore alone.
Bella watched Willow disappear down the hallway, her heart heavy with a blend of relief and regret. Theodore’s playful voice brushed against her ear. "What are you thinking?"
She threw him a sidelong glance, a bit disappointed with him. "You could have told me earlier," she whined. "You kept saying how special Willow was, but you couldn’t tell me she was your sister? The whole situation was incredibly embarrassing."
Theodore’s amusement was evident. "Honestly, I never realized you had completely misunderstood things," he reasoned, amusement dancing in her face. "Then I realized you were jealous, and I thought I should stretch this whole thing a bit longer. Now see, it’s fun to watch the surprise in your face."
Bella’s cheeks burned even hotter. "You, heartless! How could you enjoy putting me in such an awkward position? You could have easily cleared it all up and saved me the humiliation."
"Don’t be embarrassed now," Theodore comforted her, taking her in his arms. "Everything has passed. Don’t dwell on it, okay? Enjoy this evening, will you?"
"But I still feel awful," she whispered.
"Hey, it’s not your fault," he assured her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Now, go check on Willow. It’s almost time for dinner."
Bella took a fortifying breath, willing her discomfort to dissipate. With a shrug, she forced a smile and headed down the hallway to find Willow.
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