They arrived at Bella's mansion, the headlights sweeping across the familiar gates. Bella parked and stepped out first, her shoes clicking against the wet pavement. Becca followed behind, wrapping her arms around herself against the chill.
Inside, the mansion was dim and warm. The faint scent of vanilla candles lingered in the air, and the ticking of a wall clock filled the stillness.
Neither spoke as they entered Bella's bedroom. Becca closed the door gently behind them.
For a long moment, they just stood there—two souls caught in the same storm, too afraid to speak.
"Did you know Lily already?" Becca finally asked, her voice cautious.
Bella didn't look up. "Yeah," she said quietly. Then she corrected herself, "And she's Ava, not Lily. Probably started using that name later… maybe to forget me."
Becca frowned, confused. "Wait—Ava? You mean Ava Ava? The first love you never talk about?"
Bella's lips curved into a sad smile. "Yes. That was her."
Becca's heart skipped. "You've got to be kidding me. You mean the Ava you used to cry about?"
Bella nodded and sank onto the edge of the bed. "Yeah. That one."
"Oh my God," Becca whispered, dropping into a chair. "I can't believe this."
"I didn't know she was Lily," Bella continued softly. "Not until her birthday at the club. That's when everything came back."
Becca stared at her in disbelief. "So the woman I've been… crushing on," she said slowly, "the one I kept talking about—"
"—is my first love," Bella finished. "Yeah."
The air went still.
Becca rubbed her forehead. "That's insane. The universe is playing games."
Bella gave a bitter laugh. "Tell me about it."
For a while, they sat in silence. The rain pattered lightly outside, and the city's glow bled through the curtains.
Then Bella stood and walked toward the small locked door at the far end of the room—the one she always kept closed, the one Becca was never allowed to open.
"You always wanted to know what's in there, right?" Bella said without turning around.
Becca's eyes widened. "You're going to show me?"
"Yeah." Bella pulled a small key from her pocket, twirling it between her fingers. "Might as well. You deserve to know."
She handed the key to Becca, who took it hesitantly. Her hands trembled slightly as she unlocked the door.
It creaked open.
The room was small, almost shrine-like. Photos covered the walls—Ava and Bella in school uniforms, arms wrapped around each other, laughing. Pictures from their teenage years, moments of innocence frozen in time. There were drawings, handwritten letters, and a silver bracelet resting in a glass case.
In one corner sat an old school bag with their initials scribbled side by side: A & B.
Becca's throat tightened. "Bella… this is…"
"My memory," Bella whispered, leaning against the doorway. "Every piece of her I refused to let go."
Becca traced her fingers across a photo of the two girls smiling at a school festival. "You loved her so much."
"I still do," Bella said simply. "Even after everything. It was my fault she had to leave. She didn't leave on her own."
Becca turned, her eyes glistening. "I can't believe the woman of my dreams belongs to you. And now I have to let her go."
Bella gave a small, sad laugh. "Girl, she doesn't even know you like her. You've been crushing in silence this whole time. Why didn't you just confess?"
Becca sighed. "Because I was waiting for the right time. I was waiting to poison that Dolly girl beside her."
Bella rolled her eyes, half-laughing. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore. She's in a relationship now. We both need to forget her."
Becca straightened, her tone firm. "If I have to forget her, then not you. You won't let go. I can see it. So if I can't have her, I'll make sure you get your girl back."
Bella frowned. "Becca, don't be ridiculous."
"I'm serious," Becca said, stepping closer. "She doesn't love me—hell, she doesn't even know I love her—but I'm not blind. I saw the way she looked at you."
Bella's chest tightened. "You saw it?"
Becca nodded. "She looked terrified. Not because she hates you… but because she still feels something."
Bella fell silent, her mind spinning. The image of Ava's eyes flickering with guilt and longing replayed in her head—the way her hand trembled slightly as Dolly held it tighter.
"Maybe you're wrong," Bella whispered.
"Maybe I'm not," Becca said softly.
The two stood there, the air between them heavy with truth and hurt. Then Becca stepped closer, resting a hand gently on Bella's shoulder.
"You've got to decide, Bella. Are you ready to fight for her again—or finally let her go?"
Bella didn't answer. She couldn't. Because deep down, she already knew the answer.
---
Meanwhile — Back at the Hospital
Ava sat in her office, staring blankly at the computer screen. The hospital lights flickered faintly above her, casting a dull glow over the paperwork scattered across her desk.
Dolly stood by the window, her reflection shimmering against the glass. Her arms were crossed, her tone calm but edged with tension.
"You're quiet," she said finally. "Something on your mind?"
Ava sighed, rubbing her temples. "Just tired."
"Tired," Dolly repeated. "Or distracted?"
Ava looked up, forcing a faint smile. "You're reading too much into things."
"I don't think I am," Dolly said, walking closer. "You've been off since we ran into those ladies earlier. Especially her. Who is Isabella to you?"
Ava's gaze flickered. "She's my ex," she said after a pause. "It's nothing. We're just friends now."
"Friends?" Dolly tilted her head. "Because that didn't look like friendship, Ava."
Ava exhaled sharply. "You're seeing what you want to see."
"No," Dolly's voice rose slightly. "I'm seeing the way your eyes followed her—the way your whole body froze when you saw her. That's not how someone looks at an ex they're over."
Ava stood abruptly. "Dolly, stop."
"Just answer me," Dolly pressed. "Do you even want to be with me, or am I wasting my time?"
"Stop making it sound like we're a couple," Ava snapped, her voice cracking. "I never said yes to you."
Dolly's expression faltered, but her voice trembled with emotion. "But you love me, don't you? You must, even a little."
Ava's silence said everything.
Dolly's eyes shimmered. "I'm not going to let anyone take you from me, Ava. I really do love you."
She pulled her into a desperate hug, trembling. "Even if you push me away, I'll still fight for you."
Ava stood still, unresponsive. Her thoughts weren't in that office—they were back in the hallway, in Bella's eyes. The pain. The longing. The past she could never quite bury.
Then—
A loud knock. The door burst open.
"Doctors!" a nurse gasped, breathless. "It's Mrs. Harts—she's having a heart attack!"
Ava's instincts took over instantly. She pulled away from Dolly, snatched her stethoscope from the desk, and ran.
Her coat billowed behind her as she sprinted down the corridor, Dolly close behind, shoes clicking against the floor.
But as Ava turned the corner, one thought cut through the chaos louder than the alarms and rushing footsteps—
Mrs. Harts… Bella's mother.