Chapter Eighty-nine

Chapter Eighty-nine
She followed Hunter quietly until they stopped before the door that led into Rena’s new room. The room was across from the one she stayed in before and directly opposite Hunter’s. It was cozy and warm and the walls were painted in soft cream, tiny floral curtains hanging by the window, and a shelf filled with toys and picture books. Everything looked newly arranged, smelling faintly of lavender and new wood.

Hunter laid Rena gently on the bed, pulling the blanket over her. The little girl was already deep in sleep, one tiny hand clutching her stuffed bunny. He brushed a stray curl from her forehead and whispered, “Sleep well, my princess.”

Mirabella stood at the doorway, watching quietly.

When he turned around, their eyes met briefly. “I’ll discuss a few things with Victor in my study,” he said in a low voice. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Mirabella nodded wordlessly. He leaned down, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and left the room. His scent lingered behind… that scent that was always addictive.

She laid down beside Rena, her arm over her little girl. The room was very quiet except for the faint sound of the clock ticking and she loved it.

Her eyes burned with exhaustion, and before she knew it, she drifted off.

”

When she opened her eyes again, the soft glow of the lamp was on. She blinked and sat up quickly… The room was dark except for that small light. The sky outside the window was dark as well.

Rena was no longer on the bed.

She got down from the bed, stretched and made her way outside the room. She could hear Rena's giggling voice downstairs, so she entered Hunter's room instead.

The room was just as she remembered… large, neat, and masculine. The huge bed was covered in dark gray sheets. His jacket was slung over a chair, and the faint scent of his cologne still hung in the air.

He wasn’t there, of course. He was probably still in his study or somewhere downstairs with Victor.

She went straight to the bathroom. The warm shower water ran over her skin, soothing away the tiredness from the trip. Afterward, she slipped into one of his long shirts hanging in the wardrobe. It was oversized and smelling like him. It reached her knees, and she rolled the sleeves up.

When she stepped out, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was messy but clean, her eyes looked a bit relaxed now. She took a deep breath and smiled faintly at her reflection.

Then she made her way downstairs.



“Mama!”

Rena squealed happily when she saw Mirabella coming down the stairs. The little girl was standing on the couch beside Ashley, tiny hands buried in Ashley’s hair, twirling and playing with the long strands.

Mirabella laughed, shaking her head. “I see you’re busy”

Rena grinned proudly, showing all her baby teeth. “I’m making Auntie’s hair pretty!”

Ashley groaned playfully. “We’ve been doing this for over an hour now” she said, pretending to be annoyed but clearly enjoying it. “My head is going to turn into a doll’s head at this rate”

Mirabella laughed louder. “If you let her, she’ll do your hair all day”

Ashley chuckled too.

They went quiet for a moment.

Then Ashley looked up at her, eyes soft. “I’m sorry, Mira.”

Mirabella frowned a little, sitting beside her. “For what?”

“For everything” Ashley’s voice dropped lower. She took Mirabella’s hand gently. “For not being there for you when you really needed us. None of us were. Not even that hard-headed brother of mine”

Mirabella sighed, shaking her head slowly. “Ash, it wasn’t your fault. I should be the one saying sorry. I didn’t tell you I was leaving because Hunter was your brother. I was totally unfair to you. You have been nothing but a good friend and I messed up”

Ashley squeezed her hand. “You didn't. And honestly, I didn't blame you for anything. You did what you had to do”

Mirabella nodded.

Ashley smiled faintly. “He learned his lesson, though,” she said teasingly. “You should have seen him when you were gone. I didn’t even recognize him. My almighty brother… the so-called Devil of Atlanta… walking around the whole place like a ghost. He barely spoke to anyone”

“I know. I missed him too” Mirabella said, looking down at her hands.

"So you two are good? Like really good now, right?” Ashley asked

Mirabella nodded, “yes"

Ashley nodded approvingly, then hesitated. “Erm… Mira, my dad would like to see you. And Rena, too.”

Mirabella tensed immediately.

Ashley noticed and quickly added, “Not alone! Don’t worry. He said Hunter should come too.”

Mirabella’s brows pulled together. “Why?”

Ashley sighed. “He misses his son. It’s been years since Hunter went home. He promised never to step foot there again after their fallout. But Father… he’s getting older, and it breaks his heart that his only son has kept his distance. He just wants his son to visit once in a while”

Mirabella bit her lower lip. “But why are you telling me this Ash? You know Hunter. He won’t agree to go”

Ashley looked hopeful. “He will if you talk to him.”

Mirabella looked uncertain but said softly, “I’ll try. I don’t know if it will work, but I’ll talk to him. Where is he?”

"Oh, yes. He went to the room earlier, to tell you he would be away for some days but you were sound asleep and he didn't want to disturb you. He said you had a rough day and I should keep you company”

Mirabella blinked. “He did?”

Ashley nodded, rolling her eyes with a smile. “As if I need him to tell me that. If course I would keep you company”

Mirabella smiled faintly but inside, she felt a pang of guilt. He had been so considerate, and she had been cold to him all day. “Did he say when he would be back?”

“No,” Ashley said, shaking her head. “They left urgently. He didn’t give details.”

Mirabella frowned slightly, her heart tightening again. Wherever he had gone, she hoped he was safe.



Hours later, after Rena had fallen asleep again, Mirabella sat on the edge of her bed, holding her phone. She hesitated a few seconds before dialing his number.

It rang once. Twice. No answer.

She sighed and tried again.

On the third ring, he picked up.

“Hey baby,” Hunter’s deep voice came through the speaker, low and tired. There was a soft hum of wind behind him… maybe he was outside.

Mirabella’s voice was quiet. “Hey. You left without a word.”

“I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “You were sleeping so peacefully. I didn’t want to wake you. Are you okay? Have you eaten? You hardly ate anything today.” His tone was full of worry, the kind that came naturally when he spoke to her.

“I’m fine” she replied softly. “And yes, I’ve eaten.”

He paused for a beat. “You’re not angry with me anymore?” His voice dropped lower, uncertain.

Mirabella smiled faintly, even though he couldn’t see her. “I’m not. And… I’m sorry”

“Sorry?”

“For earlier. For being cold and quiet. I know you did what you had to do. I was just… overwhelmed.”

There was a short silence. Then his voice came again, gentler this time. “It’s okay, Bella. I understand.”

For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. It was a comfortable and familiar silence.

Then he said quietly, “I’ll be back soon. Wait for me, okay?”

She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “I will.”

“I love you” he said all of a sudden.

She went quiet. It was new. Totally new. Hunter had never said those words to her before. Of course he praises her body, but never has he said he loves her.

“You do?” she whispered, her voice small and shaky.

“I absolutely do,” he said firmly. “I’ve always loved you, Mirabella. I’m sorry I never said it before. But I do. I love you more than I can ever explain”

She bit her lip, tears filling her eyes. A soft smile tugged at her mouth as she whispered, “I love you too”

He let out a quiet chuckle. “That’s all I needed to hear tonight.”

“Where are you?” she asked quietly.

“Somewhere safe,” he said vaguely. “I just need to settle something. I’ll finish soon and come home to you.”

“Okay,” she whispered. “Be careful.”

“I will. Now go to bed, baby. You sound sleepy.”

“Only a little” she said with a smile.

“Good. Dream of me”

“I always do”

When the call ended, Mirabella lay back on the bed, still smiling. Her heart felt light, her body warm. Everything felt so right again.

She rolled on the bed, smiling widely to herself.