Isabella~
"What is all this?" Knowing he was waiting for me in his room, I opened the door. I didn't expect this kind of aggressive behavior from him.
The room was enveloped in darkness, prompting me to switch on the light, only to discover the room was appalling. The couch is torn, cushions and bedsheets are scattered in one area of the room, and all the display pieces have fallen to the floor. In addition, he damaged the LED television. Every step I took into his room revealed another shattered item on the floor.
He stood silently on the balcony, gazing up at the dark sky.
"Why aren't you responding to me? What's all this for?" On reaching behind him, I questioned him in a low tone. I've never seen him so furious before. That's why my body trembled with fear when confronting him; talking to him is important to me now.
"Why did you return home now when you could spend tonight with your ex-husband?" Even though he is still staring up at the night sky, I can tell how frustrated he is by the tone of his voice.
"He is now simply my client; he is no longer my ex-husband." I attempted to calm his fury.
"Client, of course. Bella, who are you fooling? If he is just your client, then you never leave your son alone in the house when he needs you most. If he is just your client, you will not spend the night with him in the same room. You have never disregarded Alan or me for any other client, yet you continue to reject my calls because of that bastard." He turned to face me. His tone was full of complaints, and his bloodshot red eyes were an obvious sign of dissatisfaction.
"I apologize; those goons are to blame for everything that transpired that night; I didn't plan to spend the night with him." I bowed my head to avoid meeting his eyes.
"That's great. Now, the famous lawyer visited the red light area and was pursued by the goons to gather evidence. Not only that, but she also went to meet Jordan Lucas, unaware of his potential for danger." To contain his anger, he clenched his hand, but his harsh voice was enough to make anyone shudder.
"As a lawyer, it is my responsibility to gather evidence, so please explain what I did incorrectly." I argued with him.
"Bella, for whom are you doing all of this? What makes this case so important to you?" He harshly squeezed my shoulder.
"This is for justice only." I did not expect such violence from him.
"Justice for whom—for that murderer? Why do you want to save him? Do you no longer remember what he did to you before?" His grip on my shoulder relaxed, and his voice sounded broken as he noticed the tears in my eyes.
"Xavier did not kill Alicia, so please refrain from repeatedly calling him a murderer." He reopened my old wounds, even as I struggled to contain my emotions.
"Perhaps he didn't murder Alicia, but he was responsible for the death of Isabella Morgan, a person I once knew. Do you forget the day when I stopped you from jumping in front of a train when you were going to end your life after his betrayal?" His eyes filled with tears as he wiped off my tears.
"Please don't remind me about those days." My past burden felt so heavy on me that I found myself unable to stand on my feet.
"Bella, I don't want to hurt you by reminding you of your bitter past, but you invited him again to play with your emotions again. First Xavier, then Derrick Merchant, and now Jordan Lucas. Do you have any idea how dangerous these people are? How do you think Xavier will favor you once he clears this murder charge? I know how self-centered he can be. If he finds out about Alan, he won't have any mercy on you." He kneeled in front of me.
"No, he can't do this to me. I presented the DNA reports to him." I was scared even more after hearing his statements.
"Bella, please withdraw from this case." He held my hand and pleaded with me.
"No, I can't do this; I have to fulfill my responsibility as a lawyer."
"Don't you also have responsibilities as a mother?" His questions pierced my heart.
"I am making every effort to manage everything; could you advise me on additional measures to keep Xavier away from me?" He is the only person in the world who has seen me transform from Isabella to Veronica, even though I have always hidden my weak side behind a stern façade.
"Why are you crying, Mama?" Alan came into the room and gave me a perplexed expression.
"Nothing; your mother needs to relax; she's exhausted. Come play with me." He assisted me in rising from the floor and then suggested that I rest while he took care of Alan.
After taking a shower, I eat a light dinner and then sleep. When I woke up early in the morning, my mind was consumed by Jordan's warnings. I wondered what his next move would be. I reviewed all of the information that I could use in court to demonstrate Xavier's innocence. One week until the next hearing, so I must prepare hard.
"Bella, how are you now feeling?" He came to join me and Alan at the breakfast table.
"I'm doing fine." I looked at them with confusion as they both dressed in swimming costumes.
"Where are you both planning to go today?" I questioned him as I served breakfast to them.
"Mama, we're going swimming today, and then we're going to have a picnic." The dining room was filled with Alan's lively voice.
"It's great; enjoy your day with Dad." Upon seeing his bright blue eyes, I grinned.
"Mama, are you not coming with us?" Suddenly, sadness filled his eyes as he saw me dressed in my formal attire.
"Sorry, sweetheart, I have to go to the office today." I cast an apologetic gaze at him.
"But, Mama, today is Sunday." Seeing his sad face broke my heart, but I am now balancing my profession with my feelings.
"Bella, are you going to meet him today, too?" His angry gaze made me uncomfortable, but I had to face his wrath until this murder case was closed.
"Yes, I am going to meet Xavier. You both can enjoy your time together." I got up from my chair to avoid further arguments on this topic.
"Take care, Alan." I left the house after giving him a forehead kiss.
"Mama, take care of yourself." He waved at me before disappearing into his breakfast.
After saying goodbye to Alan, I turned to face him. His angry-looking eyes made me stop saying goodbye. I felt his eyes following me as I started my car, until my car disappeared from his field of vision.