26. Bella
TWENTY-SIX
Bella
The morning sunlight filters through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. I wake up, feeling a strange mix of contentment and anxiety. Alex is already up, moving around the room with a sense of purpose.
“I need to go do something important,” he says, his voice soft but firm. He hands me a small piece of paper. “Here’s Lily’s new number. You can talk to her, but don’t ask her where she is or tell her where you are.”
I nod, taking the paper from him. “I understand.”
He crouches down in front of me, his eyes searching mine. “While I’m gone, I need you to think of anything that might give us clues about your father’s location. Anything at all.”
I hesitate, then decide to trust him. “There was a letter from my father,” I say, my voice trembling slightly. “It was written in code, and I managed to decipher part of it.”
Alex’s eyes light up with interest. “That’s a start. What did it say?”
“It warned me that people might come looking for me. It said that he loves me and he’ll get in touch when it’s safe.”
Alex nods, his expression thoughtful. “We can work with that.”
I grab his hand, my eyes pleading. “Promise me you won’t hurt him if we find him.”
He squeezes my hand, his gaze steady. “I promise, Bella. I will not hurt your father.”
With that, he stands up and heads towards the door. “I’ll be back soon. Stay safe.”
As the door closes behind him, I feel a mix of relief and fear. I take a deep breath and pick up my phone, dialing Lily’s new number. She answers on the second ring.
“Bella! How are you?” Her voice is a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge.
“I’m okay,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “A lot has happened since we last spoke.”
“Tell me everything,” she demands, her tone both worried and eager.
I give her a brief summary of everything that’s happened: the attacks, the marriage, the escape to the penthouse. “So, yeah, I’m married now,” I finish, my voice trailing off.
Lily lets out a delighted squeal. “I knew it! I’m so happy for you! Shotgun wedding, pew pew.”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see me. “It’s not real, Lily. It’s just to keep me safe.”
“Maybe for now,” she says, her tone teasing. “But I bet it lasts forever. You two are clearly meant to be together. Could tell from the way he looked at you.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “I hope you’re right. I really do.”
Lily’s voice softens, becoming more serious. “Bella, I can hear it in your voice. You do care about him, don’t you? Why pretend otherwise?”
I bite my lip, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I do care about him. More than I thought I would. But it’s complicated. He has this dark side, Lily. I don’t know if I can ever really trust him.”
“He’s been protecting you, hasn’t he?” Lily’s voice is gentle, understanding. “Keeping you safe.”
“Yes,” I whisper. “But he’s also the reason I’m in this mess. I don’t know if I can separate the two sides of him.”
Lily sighs, and I can almost see her shaking her head. “Love isn’t always simple, Bella. Sometimes it’s messy and complicated. But if he makes you feel safe and cherished, that’s a better start than a lot of relationships I’ve had.”
I let out a shaky breath, the weight of her words sinking in. “I want to believe that, Lily. I really do. But what if it all falls apart? What if he has to leave?”
“Then you’ll cross that bridge when you come to it,” she says firmly. “For now, focus on the present. Focus on the fact that he’s here, protecting you, caring for you. That’s what matters.”
We end the call, and I feel a little lighter, a little more hopeful. I head to the bathroom and step into the shower, letting the hot water wash away my worries, at least for a moment.
The steam fills the room, and I close my eyes, wishing things were different.
I wish I could have a normal life, a family with Alex, without the constant danger hanging over our heads. I wonder if I’ll ever get out of this situation alive, if we’ll ever have the chance to build a future together.
As I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself, I take a deep breath. No matter what happens, I know I have to stay strong. For myself, for Alex, and for the slim hope that one day, we can have the life we both deserve.