Chapter 18 Boundaries Crossed
BELLA
David’s words lingered in my mind. “I won't bring you to the public unless you want to.” He said it so casually, but the weight of it hung in the air, like a truth neither of us dared to acknowledge. I stayed quiet, letting it simmer.
Our trip was supposed to be relaxing, but my thoughts kept circling back to that man who’d soured David’s mood. Who was he, really? Even as I laughed with David along the shore, I sensed a shadow in his eyes a tension he couldn’t hide.
Back at home, the atmosphere was heavy. I couldn’t just ignore it anymore, so I dialed Elowen.
“Elowen, remember the guy from our trip? The one who got under David’s skin?”
“Oh, I remember him alright,” she replied. I caught myself before calling David “my man,” realizing how natural it felt. “Can you look into him for me?”
Elowen paused, curiosity in her voice. “Since when are you this invested?”
“Just… something about him seemed off.”
“Give me a bit. I’ll dig around and call you back.”
Jasper’s small voice suddenly broke my focus.
“Bella!” He sprinted over, hugging my waist tightly.
I ruffled his hair. “Missed me, huh?”
“You promised me a treat.” I reached into my bag, pulling out his favorite chocolate, and his face lit up.
“Your favorite!” he beamed, taking a big bite, chocolate smearing at the corners of his mouth.
He held it up, grinning. “Do you want some too, Bella?”
I laughed and shook my head. “No, you enjoy it. That’s all for you.” His eyes sparkled with delight as he took another big bite.
“I found him. His name’s Mike Lizzy’s younger brother.”
My heart lurched. Why would Lizzy’s brother be back in David’s life?
The next morning, I headed downstairs, finding Jasper alone at the table.
“Where’s your dad?” I asked.
“He has a business meeting,” he muttered, focusing on his cereal. Just then, David called.
“Meet me at my headquarters in thirty minutes,” he said, his voice commanding.
“What? Thirty minutes? I haven’t even dressed!” I kissed Jasper goodbye, throwing on clothes in a frenzy before rushing out.
DAVID
The morning began with a message from Mike: Your wife is beautiful. I think I’m in love with her. He ended with, See you at the office.
A rage I hadn’t felt in years simmered under my skin. I slammed my hand down on the conference table, watching my team flinch before quickly excusing themselves.
Grabbing my phone, I called Bella. “You’re meeting me in my office. Thirty minutes.” My tone left no room for debate.
This wasn’t how I wanted things to go public, but Mike had pushed the wrong button. No one would come close to taking Bella away, no matter how quiet I had to keep our relationship.
I called my assistant to pick her up.
As I waited, pacing, Bella finally walked in. Her presence brought a momentary calm, but her gaze was questioning.
“What’s wrong with you? You’re… intense today,” she said.
I took a step toward her. “I need you here, Bella—by my side. Always.”
She tilted her head, something fierce in her eyes. “David, I have my own goals. I’m not here to be part of your plans.”
But before I could respond, the door swung open, and there he was. Mike sauntered in, his gaze falling on Bella like a challenge. He knew exactly what he was doing.
“David,” he drawled, his voice full of disdain. He looked at Bella, the corners of his mouth curling up. “I just came by to discuss our arrangement. But I see there’s an unexpected beauty here.”
Bella gave a polite nod, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.
She never blushes around me.
My fists clenched, something primal stirring within me. She didn’t understand it yet, but Bella belonged to me, and I was done hiding it.