At Romero.
Chris emerged from a long shower, hair damp, bathrobe clinging to his frame. His head pounded. He had weathered storms before, but never like this. Never with Bella's name being shredded alongside his.
He dressed in silence, pulling on jeans and a black shirt. Just as he descended the stairs, Imelda stepped into the hall, her eyes blazing.
"I never knew you were such a coward," she spat.
Chris froze. "What?"
"Don't play dumb. Who parades a girlfriend, then gets engaged to another woman days later? You're just like Mum."
Chris blinked. "Engaged? What are you talking about?"
"It's everywhere, Chris. Stop acting," Imelda snapped before storming back to her room, leaving her brother staring into the void.
Chris pulled out his phone. His notifications were flooded. Headlines screamed back at him.
"Christian Hampson Engaged to Model Thelma Frederick."
"Secret Daughter Revealed: Meet Arabella Hampson."
Chris's chest tightened as the walls of his world closed in.
Chris stormed into his room, heart pounding, and grabbed his phone. He had to know who dared announce his "engagement."
He dialled Nelly, his PR director. She answered on the first ring.
"What is this nonsense about me being engaged?" he barked.
Her voice trembled. "I'm sorry, sir. Mr Hampson gave me the order himself. He said if I refused, I'd lose my job along with the entire PR department."
Chris's jaw clenched. "And you didn't think to call me before acting?"
"I... I'll resign. I'll take full responsibility."
"Do whatever you want," he spat before hanging up.
He snatched his jacket and keys, determined to drive straight to the Walters' house. Bella needed him he had to explain.
But as he reached the driveway, a black SUV screeched across his path. Before he could react, four men stepped out. He recognised them instantly his father's men.
Chris tried to fight back, but they were faster. His wrists were bound, his legs restrained, and then a handkerchief soaked in chloroform pressed against his face. His world went dark.
At the Walters' residence, Bella sat slumped on her bed, her phone gripped like a lifeline. She had called Chris over and over, left countless voicemails, but he never answered.
Worse he had blocked her on every social platform.
Her chest constricted as panic swelled. She threw on a jacket, ready to bolt for Romero, but Joanna and the twins blocked the door.
"You can't go out there," Joanna insisted. "Thelma's fans and paparazzi are everywhere. If Chris wants to talk, he'll reach out."
"He blocked me!" Bella shouted, tears streaming. "What do I do, Aunt Joe?"
Joanna wrapped her in a tight hug, rocking her like a child until Bella cried herself to sleep.
Four hours later Bella woke, drained and hollow. With trembling hands, she left one last voicemail.
"Chris... please call me back. It's not me in that video, I swear. And I don't understand this 'engagement' news. Please, we need to sort this out. Don't give up on us. If I don't hear from you by midnight... I'll take it as a breakup. I love you, Chris."
She set the phone aside, tears staining her pillow.
Minutes later the door opened. Vera and her husband, Jeo, rushed in fresh from their honeymoon. Bella broke into sobs at the sight of her mother.
"Mum, I didn't do it," she choked.
Vera pulled her close. "I know, Ella. I believe you. But how do we prove it to the world?"
"I'll find a way to take down the videos," Joanna said grimly from the doorway.
An hour and a half later, Bella lay exhausted, her eyes swollen. Vera sat beside her, stroking her hair.
"Have you spoken to Chris?" Vera asked gently.
Bella showed her call log: 157 unanswered calls, over 100 unread messages. Then she opened Chris's social pages, all blocked.
Fury rose in Vera's chest. She grabbed her phone and called him herself. No answer. Straight to voicemail.
"How could someone be so heartless?" Vera muttered. "You were fine until he made you public. The first scandal hits, and he vanishes."
"Mum... I'm sure he has his reasons," Bella whispered.
"Reasons?" Vera's voice trembled with rage. "No reason excuses leaving you like this. He owes you an explanation."
Bella sighed, glancing at the clock. Past midnight.
Her voice came out small, broken. "Mum..."
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry. For always bringing shame on this family. I've made my decision."
The room stilled.
"Can you call everyone in here?" Bella asked.
Within minutes the Walters crowded into her bedroom, bracing for whatever bomb she was about to drop.
Bella straightened, her face pale but resolute. "First thing in the morning... I'm leaving for Canada."
Her words shattered the air.
"What do you mean?" Vera gasped.
"I can't handle this scandal. I'll lose my mind if I stay here. I never thought my dual citizenship would matter, but now... now it's my way out."
"Unnie, please don't go," Raquel pleaded.
"Catty, I have to. At least until things calm down. I need to breathe."
"Noona, you've never lived there. Are you sure you'll be okay?" Kayden asked.
"I'll take care of her," Joanna promised, resting a hand on Vera's shoulder.
Tears filled Vera's eyes, but she nodded and hugged Bella tight.
That night, Bella booked her flight and packed her bags, determined not to change her mind.
By dawn, the family quietly drove to the airport. Disguised in black sunglasses, a cap, and a mask, Bella slipped through the crowd unnoticed.
She didn't speak a word for the entire flight to Canada. Her silence said more than her tears ever could, her heart was broken beyond repair.