Chapter 10 Crossing Boundaries
BELLA
Is he really trying to make it obvious that we're married? Or does he know about Michael? The thoughts tumbled through my mind as David Copperfield held my hand in the middle of a board meeting my hand. I glanced at Mrs. Williams, her knowing smile only deepening my unease.
The second the meeting ended, I yanked my hand free and bolted for the door, the cool air outside hitting my face like a splash of water. David was turning everything upside down.
I had barely caught my breath when a familiar voice sliced through the quiet. "So, you're with David Copperfield now?" Michael's sneer was unmistakable. He stood there, arms crossed, eyes narrowing.
I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Don’t act clueless, Bella," he snapped, stepping closer. “He's my fiancée’s brother. What’s your game? Trying to get back at me?”
A bitter laugh escaped before I could stop it. I took a step toward him, eyes narrowing. How had I ever loved this man? Loved what a joke.
"Who do you think you are, Michael?" I asked, my voice low and sharp. "Do you honestly believe I'm still hung up on you?"
His smirk deepened, sending a chill down my spine. "Then why are you with David? You’re just his new plaything. I thought you had more dignity than that."
I stared at him, disbelief surging through me. "Or maybe," I took another step forward, locking my eyes with his, "you’re scared. Scared that I’ll tell David to drop your company watch you crash and burn."
His smirk faltered, but he leaned in closer, the heat of his breath brushing my face. “You won’t do that,” he sneered. “I know you, Bella. You’re just after the money. But this? Even I didn’t think you’d stoop this low. You’re nothing but a Slut”
The word was venomous, vile. “Slut.”
It hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught, rage surging up my chest. Just as I opened my mouth to lash back, David appeared. His hand gripped mine firm, protective.
He stepped in front of me, his voice low, controlled. "Nobody insults Bella. You hear me?" His gaze drilled into Michael. "Not without consequences."
Michael’s face drained of color, his mouth slightly ajar. Without another word, David pulled me away, leaving Michael standing there in stunned silence.
In the car, the tension between us was palpable, the only sound the quiet hum of the engine. My mind raced. No one had ever stood up for me like that before. I was always the one being used, discarded. But David… he protected me.
“We’re having a family dinner tonight,” David said, breaking the silence with a calm that belied the intensity of the moment. “My grandfather and mother will be there. I need you to behave properly.”
I blinked, his words pulling me back to reality. Dinner with his family? My stomach twisted into a knot. How was I supposed to act? His mother, his grandfather they’d probably see right through me. What if they hated me, what if they thought I was some sort of gold-digger? What if they still preferred Lizy?