Bella recoiled, her scowl deepening. "Compensate for what?" she spat with loathing. "You tortured us, both of us, every single day. To pay your debts, I even had to mortgage the house. But you? You never stopped gambling, never stopped drowning yourself in alcohol. You nearly killed her that night!"
An involuntary tremor wracked Bella’s body as a wave of horrifying memories washed over her. The night Lionel’s drunken rage escalated into a brutal assault on Selena, leaving Bella with no choice but to call the police to save her mother.
"I’ll never forgive you for what you did to her," Bella stated sternly. "Now, get the hell out of my sight."
Lionel’s eyes flashed with anger, but Bella stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. "My wife’s surgery had just finished. I won’t leave."
"Wife?" Bella scoffed, rolling her eyes. "She won’t be your wife for long. She’ll divorce you soon."
"My dear, naive Bella," he drawled with a deceptive calm that seemed to relish her fury. "Selena wouldn’t dream of leaving me. After all, I was there for her when she needed me most. I gave her shelter, accepted another man’s child, and raised you as my own. She won’t forget that favor, you know."
Bella’s jaw clenched so tightly that her teeth threatened to crack. She knew all too well the "debt" her mother felt she owed this monster. It was the invisible leash that had kept Selena chained to years of silent suffering. But things were different now. Bella wouldn’t let her mother suffer any longer.
"You are wrong," she snarled with a steely resolve. "She is done with you."
"Fine," Lionel conceded with a theatrical sigh. "Let’s say I’m willing to let her go. But consider this – a severance package, if you will. Think of it as repayment for the roof over your head, the food on your plate, all those years I raised you. Give me some compensation, and I’ll disappear, never to trouble you again."
Bella wasn’t fooled. She knew his promises were as empty as his heart. Once she gave him money, he would waste it on gambling and come back to her, demanding more. She wouldn’t fall into his trap again.
"I don’t have any money," she snapped with exasperation. "Can’t you see my mother just had surgery? Do you have any idea what I’ve been through? Just leave us alone, please!"
The air crackled with tension, a volatile mix of anger and desperation. Lionel’s patience, already thin, frayed at the edges. He had been suppressing his rage for too long, aware that becoming violent in the hospital would land him in trouble again. But Bella’s defiance was pushing him to the edge. He was losing his temper.
"You have a rich sugar daddy, don’t you?" he sneered. "He seems quite smitten. With your looks, you can probably manipulate him into giving you whatever you want."
A bitter taste flooded Bella’s mouth. "Get out of her," she spat, "right now. Or else, I’ll shout."
Lionel glared at her, his anger a simmering inferno in his eyes.
"Leave, if you don’t want to go to jail again," Bella threatened.
"Very well. You will pay for this." With that, Lionel stormed away.
Bella stumbled back, her body hitting the wall. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. A raw ache throbbed in her chest.
Since childhood, she had known only struggles, living under the oppressive shadow of an abusive father. Many times, she had wished to escape, but the thought of leaving her mother behind had always held her back.
Selena had endured the worst of Lionel’s cruelty, and Bella was determined to end his control over their lives.
She wiped away her tears, steeling herself with newfound resolve. "You won’t be able to control us any longer," she muttered under her breath.
The ringing of her phone interrupted her thoughts. Seeing Bridget’s name on the screen brought her a sense of relief. Her friend had finally arrived.
"Hello?" Bella answered the call swiftly, still shaking from the heated encounter.
"I’ve arrived at the hospital. Which ward are you in?" Bridget’s familiar voice asked.
"I’m in the waiting room opposite the ICU," Bella replied.
"Okay, I’ll be there right away."
The call ended, leaving Bella staring at the phone, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. With her shaky legs, she retreated to the bathroom. A cold splash of water on her face helped to wash away the lingering tears and the grime of the day. Back in the sterile waiting area, she found Bridget waiting.
Bridget rushed forward, engulfing Bella in a warm embrace. "It’s wonderful news that the surgery was successful."
"Yes, but she is still unconscious," Bella replied, a tremor of worry lacing her voice. "The doctor warned of a possible transplant rejection. I can’t help but be scared."
Bridgett squeezed her hand gently. "Relax, Bella. She is in good hands. She will be fine."
Bella nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips for a moment. But it quickly faded as her mind replayed her encounter with Lionel. His harsh words, fueled by greed and laced with threats, echoed in her ears. A cold dread settled in her stomach. What if he caused a scene here, in the hospital? She was afraid he would trouble her mother.
Bridget noticed the subtle shift in Bella’s demeanor. Assuming her friend’s worry stemmed solely from her mother’s condition, she offered words of comfort. "Bella, focus on the positive. Trust in the doctors."
Bella let out a shaky sigh, her shoulders slumping. Locking eyes with Bridget, she revealed, "Lionel came here."
"What?" Bridget exclaimed, her voice echoing inside the waiting room. The shock was evident in her face. A few heads turned in their direction, prompting Bella to hurriedly shush her friend.
Bridget awkwardly looked around, only to see people scowling at her strangely. She leaned over and asked in a hushed tone, "Why did he come here? Did he hurt you?"
"No," Bella muttered, clenching her jaw. "He demanded money."
"That man has no heart!" Bridget hissed in disgust. "Can’t he see his wife is recovering from major surgery? Does he have no shame?"
"But that’s not all," Bella said, her voice barely above a breath. "He... he burned down Mrs. Green’s house."
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