After some time, the nurse came and took Selena away for the tests. Bella, her eyes brimming with gratitude, turned to Theodore and thanked him once more.
"You are my wife," Theodore interrupted. "Your mom is my mom. Taking care of her is my duty. So don’t thank me."
His words made Bella’s heart swell with even more affection. She was astonished that someone could be so kind and selfless. Overwhelmed with emotion, she felt tears welling up.
"Why are you crying now?" Theodore asked softly, cupping her face and gently wiping her tears away.
"I’m just overwhelmed," Bella confessed, blinking back her tears. "For the past year, I’ve been struggling to find the money for Mamma’s treatment. I used to work two jobs before joining Brico. When the doctor said she needed a transplant, I never thought I’d be able to afford her surgery. But then you appeared and changed everything."
She chuckled through her tears, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can’t believe this is really happening. It’s not a dream."
"It’s not a dream, Bella. I’m very much real, and we are legally married. Don’t deny it by saying you are dreaming," Theodore said with a teasing glint in his eye.
Bella coiled her arms around his and leaned on his shoulder. "If it is a dream, I don’t want to wake up."
"How about this?" Theodore gently lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, lingering kiss. "Is this real or a dream?"
"Surreal," Bella murmured, kissing him back as her hands slipped around his neck, pulling him closer.
The nurse entered, gently pushing Selena into a wheelchair. Theodore and Bella, caught in their tender moment, quickly pulled back, smiling awkwardly.
"Mamma..." Bella rushed over to her mother, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"How was the test?" Theodore asked, attempting to dispel the lingering awkwardness.
"Everything is normal," the nurse announced. "The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow."
"That’s good to hear," Theodore nodded, relief evident in his voice.
Bella beamed, clasping Selena’s hands. "Mamma, you’re finally going to be alright."
"Yes, dear," Selena nodded with a reassuring smile.
"The patient needs proper rest before the surgery," the nurse advised. "You should leave now."
"I’ll come back first thing in the morning," Bella promised, hugging her mother.
"Take care of yourself," Selena said, patting her back gently.
After waving goodbye, Theodore and Bella exited the ward. As they walked down the corridor, Bella paused and turned to Theodore.
"I have a request," she whispered.
"Ask me anything," he whispered back, taking her hands in his.
"Can we not go to the mansion tonight?" she asked cautiously. "I promised Mamma I’d be back first thing in the morning."
"It’s alright. I already informed Grandpa about your mother’s condition and told him we wouldn’t be going there until the surgery was done," Theodore reassured her.
"He is not mad at you, is he?" Bella asked, concern filling her eyes as she recalled how Malcolm had beaten Theodore that day. She couldn’t bear the thought of it happening again.
"Grandpa understands our situation. Now stop worrying and let’s head back home. I’m starting to feel hungry," he said, giving her hands a comforting squeeze.
They walked out of the hospital, hand in hand, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation.
~~~~~~~~~
Bella freshened up and slipped into her nightwear, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts centered on Theodore. She relived their first encounter at the nightclub, the moment he had proposed to her. A soft smile played on her lips as she ran a comb through her hair.
What had begun as a contractual marriage had blossomed into passionate love? Once, she had thought of leaving him after her mother’s surgery, but now, the thought was inconceivable.
As she applied moisturizer, her mind drifted back to the incident at the Riverside Sports Club.
’How dare you touch her? She is my wife. Try to touch her. I’ll snap your bones in half.’
Theodore’s words, his murderous glare, and the fierce protectiveness he had displayed were still etched vividly in her memory. It all seemed surreal. Bella still found herself wondering how she had encountered such a man like Theodore.
A giggle escaped her lips, and a blush crept onto her cheeks. Not only had he protected her, but he had also saved her mother’s life. She would never forget his kindness. And she knew what she could do in return - devote herself to him completely, wholeheartedly. And it should start right from this moment.
Rising from her seat, she left the bedroom and headed for the study.
Bella found Theodore immersed in a conference call. She paused at the doorway, regretting not knocking before entering. She mouthed "Sorry," and was ready to leave.
Theodore held up his hand and signaled her to stay.
Theodore held up a hand, signaling her to stay. Hesitantly, Bella complied and walked towards the sofa. Just as she was about to sit down, Theodore beckoned her closer.
Bella frowned, uncertain what was on Theodore’s mind. She could see he having a video conference call. Wouldn’t he be disturbed if she went there? Besides, she was dressed in her nightwear—what would the people on the call think if they saw her like this?
Pouting, Bella shook her head and settled onto the sofa. Theodore scowled at her and gestured with a wave of his finger for her to join him. She glanced up at the ceiling, pretending not to notice his signal.
The delegates on the other side exchanged puzzled glances.
"Sir, is there any problem?" one of them asked, breaking the silence.
Theodore’s attention snapped back to the meeting, but his mind was elsewhere. He was no longer interested in discussing business. Right now, he wanted to give his attention to his wife.
"Gentlemen, it’s getting late," he announced. "You should rest. We’ll resume the meeting tomorrow. Good night." With that, he abruptly ended the call and closed his laptop.
"Now, you... come here," he commanded.
Bella reluctantly approached him, feeling guilty for interrupting his work. "Why did you end the meeting so suddenly?" she asked apologetically.
"Why did you come here in the first place?" he countered, his tone sharp. "Can’t you wait me in the room?"
Bella felt her heart sink. "I’m sorry," she mumbled. "I didn’t know you were on a call. I’ll be careful next time. You should continue working. I’ll go now."
She turned to leave. Before she could escape, he pulled her down onto his lap, his grip firm. A startled gasp escaped her lips.
"I haven’t allowed you to leave yet," he growled, capturing her lips in a demanding kiss.
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