Thelma stormed out of Hampson International in her heels, her fury echoing with every step. Rejection wasn't something she was used to. Sliding into her white Porsche 911 Turbo S 2021, she immediately dialled Neil.
"Hey, dummy. What's up with that slut?" she spat as soon as he answered.
"I'm boarding her next flight," Neil replied smoothly. "She leaves for Manchester tomorrow morning. I'll make my move then."
"Good. Take the relationship to the next level. A kiss. A picture. Something I can use. And I need those pictures fast."
"Fine. But I'll need money for the trip."
Thelma rolled her eyes but smirked. "I'll have Mum wire it to you. Just don't screw this up." She ended the call, revved the engine, and sped off with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Bella sat in her room, restless. She hated that Christian was angry with her over something so stupid. Even if things between them ended, she didn't want it to be over a misunderstanding.
Chris, on the other hand, was unraveling in silence. He told himself he had no right to be furious, but the sight of Neil hugging Bella haunted him. The words "I enjoyed our time together" played like poison in his mind. He couldn't shake the thought that Bella had given herself to Neil just as easily as she had given herself to him years ago.
It disgusted him. It terrified him. It hurt him.
He wanted her. He loved her. And after six years of finally getting her back, he wasn't about to lose her.
That evening, Bella made a decision. On her way home, she stopped by Hampson International. She needed to talk to him face-to-face. Needed him to know the truth.
Walking into the glass-and-marble lobby, she smiled at the receptionist. "Hi, Nancy."
Nancy gave her a sharp once-over. "Bella."
"Is Chris in?" Bella asked.
"Yes, but he's in a meeting. Won't be done till midnight," Nancy replied with a smirk.
"I'll wait." Bella walked toward the lounge, but before she could sit, a familiar ripple moved through the room. Employees straightened. Someone important had arrived.
She turned.
Chris.
Her heart skipped. His sharp suit, his commanding walk everything about him screamed untouchable. And yet, when his eyes met hers, something softened.
"Hey, Butterfly," he said with a smile so bright that the entire lobby froze. People stared, stunned that their cold, ruthless boss could smile like that.
Bella blinked. She had expected rejection. Maybe even humiliation. Not this.
"Hi," she murmured.
"What do I owe this wonderful surprise?" Chris asked, his gaze never leaving hers.
Heat crept up her neck as she realized all eyes were on them. She didn't want whispers, paparazzi, or headlines. He noticed her unease and signaled for Eliot.
"Let's talk in the car," he said simply.
Moments later, Bella found herself in the back of his black 2020 Mercedes AMG G 63 Mansory, its red interior glowing under the city lights. Chris slid in beside her while Eliot took the driver's seat.
"Take us to Bella's," Chris instructed.
Silence filled the car. Bella twisted the hem of her blouse between her fingers, her nerves coiled tight. Finally, she forced the words out.
"I'm sorry about yesterday. It's not what you think."
Chris didn't speak. He just studied her, those piercing eyes unreadable.
"I met Neil on board a few days ago. We ran into each other at the resort. He invited me to dinner"
"Did you sleep with him?" Chris's voice cut like a blade.
Bella's eyes widened. "No! No, I didn't. I would never do that." Her chest tightened. She didn't owe him this, but God, she needed him to believe her.
Chris's jaw clenched. "Then why did he say he enjoyed your time together? What the hell was he talking about?"
"The dinner. That's all."
Chris scoffed. "So what then? You're exploring your options? Seeing who's richer? Which man you'll chase next? Tell me, Bella which billionaire are you planning to seduce after him?"
The words hit her like a slap. Her throat burned.
"I feel so stupid right now," she whispered. Then louder: "Stupid for coming here to explain myself to an arrogant idiot like you. Why do you care who I see? You're not my boyfriend, Chris. You don't own me. Whoever I go out with is none of your damn business!"
Her voice cracked, anger and hurt lacing every word.
"Eliot, stop the car," she snapped.
Eliot hesitated, glancing in the mirror.
"Drive," Chris said coldly.
And Bella sat there trembling, caught between fury and heartbreak, as the car rolled on into the night.
Bella was furious. The air inside the car felt suffocating, every second beside Chris sharpening her anger.
"I said stop the car!" she snapped at Elliot, her glare burning through the glass. But the driver kept his eyes on the road, hands locked on the wheel.
Her frustration boiled over. She half-rose, reaching for the steering wheel, desperate to wrestle control, but Chris's hand clamped around her wrist, firm and unyielding.
"Tell him to stop this damn car, Chris," she hissed.
He didn't move. He didn't blink. So Bella did the only thing left her hand flew to the door handle. Before she could leap, Chris yanked her back, holding her so tightly it felt like iron shackles. Elliot braked hard, the car lurching to a halt.
"Are you insane?" Chris barked, clutching her like she might vanish.
Bella twisted, her fury pouring into her muscles. "Let me go!" She fought his grip, nails scraping, arms straining. His skin was burning against hers, and she hated how it still made her pulse quicken.
When his hold refused to break, she did something reckless she bit him.
"Ouch!" Chris hissed, releasing her at once.
"You're crazy," he spat, inspecting the angry mark on his hand.
"And you're an arrogant bastard." She snatched her bag, flung the door open, and stormed out.
Chris was on her heels instantly. "Bella"
"Stop following me!" she shot back, venom dripping from every syllable. She spun again, glaring at him. "I swear, if you take one more step, I'll scream."
But he didn't stop.
"Help!" Bella's voice rang out into the night, raw and desperate.
Chris lunged, covering her mouth before anyone could appear. She fought him, pushing, kicking, clawing but his strength dwarfed hers.
"Ella, stop," he growled. "Stop being a child!"
Exhaustion finally slowed her. Her arms dropped, her chest heaving. Chris's hold shifted, pulling her against him. She thrashed at first, then stilled, her forehead pressed to his chest. His heartbeat thundered beneath her cheek, erratic and violent.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly after a long silence.
Tears slipped down Bella's cheeks, hot with humiliation. She hated how helpless she was when it came to him. Hated that her walls crumbled every time he got too close.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier," Chris continued, his voice softer now. "I know you're not that type of girl. I shouldn't have accused you."
Her voice was small, trembling. "Do you think I'm a gold digger too? Like the others?"
"No," he said fiercely. "Never. I'd cut out my own tongue before I ever truly believed that."
She wouldn't look at him, so he cupped her cheek, wiping her tears with his thumb. "Please, Bella... look at me."
Reluctantly, she lifted her gaze. Amber eyes locked with violet, two storms colliding. Chris felt himself unravel under the depth of her stare. Bella got lost in his too until the world around them snapped back into focus. The street. The risk. The shadows of cameras that always seemed to lurk.
"I didn't mean to make you cry," Chris murmured.
She swallowed hard, embarrassed, but silent.
"Were you really going to jump out of a moving car?" he asked, half-incredulous.
Her lips tugged into a smirk. "Well, you wouldn't stop. And I didn't want history to repeat itself."
Chris chuckled, shaking his head. "You're insane."
"Try kidnapping me again and you'll see how insane I can be," she shot back with a playful glint.
He smiled really smiled. "Never again."
He took a breath, then asked lightly, "So, Miss Walter, will you do me the honor of letting me drive you home?"
"Yes, sir," Bella replied, the corner of her lips curving despite herself.
They walked back. Chris dismissed Elliot and slid into the driver's seat himself. For the first time that night, the silence between them was easier.
"So," Chris said, eyes on the road, "how did the proposal go?"
Bella's face lit up. "She said yes! Mum actually said yes!"
Chris smiled warmly. "Congratulations. You bagged a new dad... and a little sister."
"Thank you," Bella said in a squeaky, high-pitched tone that made him laugh.
"Want to see pictures?" she asked, holding her phone like a child showing off candy.
"Yes, ma'am," Chris replied, his chest loosening as he watched her brightness return. Bella leaned closer, scrolling through the photos, her excitement spilling into the air between them and for a fleeting moment, it felt like the shadows had lifted.