After Josef left the room, Bella rolled onto her side, then pushed herself to her feet, her eyes darting around as she desperately searched for her purse. She needed to call Diane—now. But her purse, along with her clothes, was nowhere to be seen. A sudden, heavy thud of footsteps echoed loudly in the hallway, making her heart race.
Panic surged through her. Instinctively, she lunged back onto the bed, grabbing the blanket and pulling it over her face in a frantic attempt to hide. The fabric billowed wildly—only to be caught instantly by Josef as he pushed the door open. His eyes flicked to her, and her frightened face was momentarily obscured.
Bella instinctively pretended to be asleep, her body tense and still.
"What the hell are you doing? I know you're not asleep," Josef said, a smirk curling his lips as he stepped inside. "Well, your car accident story checked out. Did you really forget everything?"
A flicker of sadness crossed Josef's face, as if a shadow from his past had suddenly resurfaced. The woman he once loved—and hated for leaving—appeared to have a reason after all. Years of guilt, resentment, and heartbreak seemed to ripple across his features, all boiling down to her for forgetting him so casually.
Bella hesitated, then slowly sat up, her face hidden behind her tangled hair, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to stay composed—her very life depended on it.
"…Yes?" she whispered, her voice trembling just enough to betray her panic. Inside, she was frantic—she had to make her story hold, or this dangerous man might do something terrible, not just to her, but to her sister, who had stolen her identity.
Josef's eyes lingered on her, unreadable. Then, with a quiet, almost tired sigh, she asked, "So, what now?"
"Right now, rest up," Josef said casually, his tone controlled but commanding. "Someone will come to pick you up and take you to the manor."
Bella, trembling with fear, blurted out, "You can't! I have a life!"
Josef turned slowly, eyes cold and piercing. "But you're still my wife. You left five years ago, and now you think you can just walk away?"
Her jaw dropped in disbelief. Why was that her fault? she wondered.
"Exactly! That was five years ago," Bella shot back, her voice trembling with fury. "I've built a life without you. I don't even know you anymore. You're practically a stranger to me."
Josef's eyes narrowed, pain evident beneath his stoic exterior. His heart ached as her words hit him hard—truth she couldn't see, but that cut deep.
He stepped forward, the menace in his presence terrifying her. "Stranger or not, we're still bound by law," he hissed, his voice low and threatening. His hand shot out, gripping her chin and sharply turning her face to meet his. Strands of her hair fluttered away from her trembling face as she inhaled sharply in fear.
"…and you still have obligations to fulfill," he said coldly, voice devoid of warmth. Then, cruelly, he pushed her face away.
"What—what obligations?" Bella whispered, her voice trembling with dread. Fear and indecent thoughts flooded her mind—what was he talking about? Was it sexual? Her face, hidden behind her hair, betrayed her terror.
Josef didn't answer. Without a word, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him with a deafening bang.
She jumped, heart pounding. This isn't happening, she thought desperately. Never in my life did I imagine I'd spend a night with a stranger—let alone a dangerous, powerful man.
Look what you've done to me, Miracle! I will never forgive you.
Bella awoke slowly, her senses sluggish but strangely refreshed—like she'd just experienced the longest, deepest sleep of her life. Her eyelids felt heavy, eyelids she couldn't quite lift. Warm hands gently applied lotion to her trembling fingers, soothing yet strange.
All she could see were blurred shapes—figures draped in stark black and white, their features indistinct. The scent of lavender and sweet perfume lingered in the air, calming her just enough to momentarily forget her panic.
A soft, low voice, trembling with urgency, whispered nearby, "She's waking up!"
Then, a sharper, hushed voice from somewhere in the distance responded, "We'd better get her ready. Master Harlington is coming."
Master Harlington? What's coming? What am I supposed to prepare for?
The flashbacks of everything that had happened—Josef, the threats, the kidnapping, the "obligation"—raced through her mind. But her body refused to obey; instead, exhaustion and fear dragged her back into darkness.
Bella found herself sinking into the softest bed she'd ever laid on, the silky red sheets smooth against her skin. She sat up abruptly, her heart pounding, and her eyes darted around the room. Her gaze settled on the black, skimpy nightgown clinging to her—delicate, sheer, revealing more than she intended. Beneath it, she was completely exposed—no underwear, nothing to hide behind. A cool breeze brushed over her olive skin, making her shiver.
Suddenly, a warm breath ghosted along the side of her neck, followed by large, tender hands trailing down her shoulders and sides. Instead of fear, an inexplicable heat ignited within her—something primal and unbidden. The hands moved lower, cupping her hips, then tracing upward beneath the thin silk fabric, teasing her nipples into sharp peaks. A shiver shot through her, awakening a strange, forbidden desire.
Why does this feel so good? Why am I not running?
She turned her head slowly and froze—the face hovering just above hers was shockingly familiar. His handsome features, so recent in her mind, stared down at her with an intensity that burned like a flame. Instead of terror, her body responded instinctively, craving more.
Without thinking, she knelt before him, her eyes fixed on his chiseled abdomen—hard, sculpted, scarred faintly here and there. Her jaw slackened as she gazed at the magnificent sight. A drool escaped her lips before she could stop herself, her desire overwhelming her restraint.
The man's hands gently lifted her, pulling her to her feet. Their faces were mere inches apart now, her heart pounding fiercely. She finally saw his face in full—dark, smoldering eyes, a sharp nose, jawline carved from stone, and—those lips—so tempting, so kissable.
Uninhibited, Bella wrapped her arms around his thick neck, her lips crashing onto his in a desperate, hungry kiss. She bit and nibbled at his lips, feeling his tongue playfully respond, igniting her further. The sensation was so vivid, so real—her mind blurred between dream and waking, her heart racing uncontrollably.
Suddenly, reality snapped back with a jolt. Her heart thundered in her chest as she desperately tried to wake from the overwhelming dream. She hastily opened her eyes, her breath ragged.
Before her now was a grand chandelier hanging high above her head. She was no longer in the luxurious bed but seated on a sleek leather sofa. The room was opulent, dimly lit, and coldly silent. And sitting directly across from her was the man she'd just been dreaming about—Josef.
A wave of panic washed over her as recognition dawned. Was that just a dream? Did I really just...?
Her eyes widened in terror, and she sat up abruptly, her face etched with fear and confusion.
Bella's eyes snapped open, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breathing. The room was silent except for the soft hum of distant city sounds beyond the windows. She blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the remnants of the vivid dream—her mind still replaying the sensation of his lips and the heat of his touch.
Then, a low, teasing voice broke the silence.
"Your moaning in your sleep," Josef drawled, a proud smirk curling his lips. His dark eyes glinted with amusement and something darker—something that sent a shiver down her spine.
Bella's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Her mind spun, desperately trying to grasp what was real and what was just a nightmare. She looked away, her heart pounding fiercely, feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Josef leaned back slightly in his chair, watching her with an amused, calculating gaze. "You don't have to be so shy," he murmured softly. "It's only me."
Her fists clenched instinctively, her mind racing for a response. The tension in the room thickened as she realized she was still caught in the aftermath of her confusing, forbidden dream—and now, he was right there, teasing her with that wicked smirk.