Chapter 44: Chapter Forty-three

“Arrrrg, Bella, if I were beside you right now, I’d pull off your tongue from that wide mouth of yours since they don’t know how to function anymore,” Aria swore over the phone, her voice so loud it almost burst Mirabella’s eardrums.

Mirabella winced at her friend’s familiar sharp tone, holding the phone a little away from her ear. She had woken up to the sound of her phone ringing continuously, the vibration making her head throb. Without even checking the caller ID, she had answered—only to hear Aria’s fiery voice blazing down the line.

It didn’t take a genius to know Hilda had told her everything last night.

“Come on, Mira, just tell me why on earth you would keep something this serious from any of us?” Aria’s voice cracked through the phone again, filled with both anger and worry.

Mirabella sighed, sinking deeper into the mattress. Her throat felt heavy. She had no excuse at all—no sensible explanation as to why she had shut her best friends out of this very thing they have been weary of right from time. She pressed the phone tighter to her ear, her voice small and weak. “I’m really sorry, Ari. I didn’t mean to keep this from any of you.”

“And yet you did,” Aria retorted sharply.

“I’m sorry,” Mira said again, her chest tightening. “I didn’t want you worrying or panicking. I didn’t want to drag you into this mess.”

There was silence for a second, and then Aria’s voice cut through it, more controlled this time but curiosity laced her voice. “So, tell me… you’ve had sex with him. So many times, I guess?” It wasn’t a question.

Mirabella swallowed hard. Her fingers tapping on the bed. “I have.”

“With your consent?” Aria’s voice softened, but it carried steel underneath.

“Well…” Mira hesitated for a moment, the memory of those first encounters flashing in her mind. His persistence. Her refusal. The fire she had hated but which her body had betrayed her over. She closed her eyes, shame creeping into her voice. “The first few weren’t… initially. But… You know what? let’s just say it’s with my consent, because, surprisingly—my body was liking what he was doing to me, but my mind was fighting it. But the fact remains that he would have had his way no matter what I said, Ari. He was hell-bent on making me his.”

There was silence again, broken by Aria’s soft exhale. “This is the part I should be blushing and jumping for you, but the circumstances surrounding everything are making my head spin. He is dangerous, Mira.” Her voice sounded disturbed, like the words themselves were too heavy to say.

“He is,” Mirabella confirmed quietly, her voice almost a whisper. “But you don’t have to worry about me. He won’t hurt me.”

“And you’re so sure about that?” Aria asked.

“No.” The single word left Mirabella's lips, dry and hollow, and for the first time since their call started, both girls laughed lightly, the sound easing the tension. “This is what I’m talking about,” she said between a small laugh. “Don’t be too serious. Laugh a little. Moreover, it’s still morning. Don't be too hard on me Ari.”

“Don’t try to change the topic. I won’t let you,” Aria quickly said, rolling her eyes even though Mira couldn’t see her.

“So, tell me,” Mira said, her voice softer now, careful. “When would you be coming back? For real?”

“No, you tell me,” Aria shot back. “Do you want to come to New York? Away from him and everything?”

Mirabella’s head was already shaking before her words formed. She pressed her free hand against her chest. “No, Aria. I’ll leave when I want to, but I don’t want to run away anymore.”

“No problem.” Aria’s tone softened, worry laced beneath the sarcasm. “Just keep me updated, okay? Has he told you about your brother? Did you ask him?” Aria asked slowly, knowing it was a very sensitive topic for Mira.

Mirabella’s heart dropped. She pressed her lips tight before answering, her voice low. “I have. But he hasn’t given me anything real. Just vague words. Nothing I can hold onto.”

Aria’s sigh was heavy. “Just be careful, okay? I have to go now, but I’ll call you later.”

“Bye,” Mira whispered before the line went dead.

She dropped her phone on the bed, lying still for a moment, her chest rising and falling quickly. For the first time since everything spiraled, she felt her heart become a little lighter. She wasn’t hiding anything anymore from Hilda or from Aria. At least not everything.

With a deep breath, Mira pushed herself up and left her room. The house was quiet except for faint sounds from the kitchen. Drawn to them, she padded down through the short hallway and into the bright kitchen, where Hilda stood at the counter, stirring something in a pot.

“Morning, Mira. Slept well?” Hilda greeted warmly as soon as she entered the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Mira replied, a small smile on her lips. “I did sleep well. All thanks to you.”

Hilda turned with a sweet smile. “It’s what I should do. Breakfast will be ready soon, sweetie.”

“Need help with anything?” Mira asked, moving closer.

“I’m almost done. Just go freshen up,” Hilda replied gently.

Mirabella started to leave but paused, as she remembered something. She turned back, her eyes soft and hopeful. “Can I stay here for another day?”

“What?” Hilda laughed, shaking her head. “You don’t need to ask. You’re always welcome to stay as long as you want.”

Relief washed over Mira’s face. She nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered, retreating back toward her room.

Her mind drifted to Hunter. He had said he would come get her tonight. The thought made her stomach twist. She pressed her palms against her eyes, her heart pounding. She needed to call him and ask him if she could stay with Hilda for a few more days. She just needed space and time to think and breathe. Hopefully he would understand and agree. Mirabella knew what the answer would be but she picked up her phone anyway to place him a call.

“What? Is this a joke, Mirabella? Are you intentionally trying my patience and stepping on my toes?” Hunter’s voice exploded through the phone, deep and sharp, vibrating with anger.

Mira’s throat went dry. She opened her mouth to reply, but his voice came again, sharper, angrier.

“Get ready. I’m picking you up tonight.”

The line went dead before she could say anything.

Mirabella dropped the phone from her ear, her hands trembling. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt. She closed her eyes, pressing a palm against her chest. She had only wanted more time, more space, but he had taken her words as rebellion.

Hunter sat in his office, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. His jaw was clenched so tight his teeth ached. His blood boiled, his mind was a cloud of fury.

“The audacity of that woman,” he muttered, his eyes flashing with fire. He tossed the phone onto his desk with a loud clatter, leaning back in his chair as he rubbed his temples. His whole body vibrated with restrained rage.

She thought she was away because she asked? And now, she thought she could ask him not to come get her? To let her stay away?

“Hell."

He pressed his lips into a hard line, his breathing sharp and uneven. His hand curled into a fist against the armrest.

“She’s going to pay for this,” he growled. “She’s going to receive some serious spanking and fucking tonight and her pussy is going to suffer for her rebellion.”

His eyes darkened, a promise carved into their depths. He will teach her a lesson tonight.

And no amount of pleading or excuses would save her from him.