Chapter 32 He kissed Her
BELLA
The air outside was thick, and my legs felt like lead as I forced myself to keep moving. Somewhere behind me, David’s assistant was calling my name, his voice drowned out by the weight pressing down on my chest. I kept walking, hoping that if I went far enough, I’d leave behind the image of them David and Lizzy, locked in that kiss.
Somehow, I ended up at the park. The sound of children’s laughter cut through the evening, bright and carefree. I watched them race across the playground, tumbling over each other and shrieking with joy. My heart clenched. I wanted that freedom, that innocence the kind that didn’t have to worry about betrayal.
I sank onto a bench, staring at the sky as it darkened. The evening chill crept in, wrapping around me, and I hugged myself tightly. What was I even thinking? I’d barely known David a few months, yet somewhere in my foolish heart, I thought he might actually care. But there was no mistaking what I’d seen. He loved her always had, probably always would. And here I was, tangled in a contract that felt emptier than ever.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed when the laughter disappeared, and silence took over the park. It was dark now, an uneasy calm filling the air. Finally, I got up, feeling like a stranger in my own skin, and took a taxi to Elowen’s apartment.
When she opened the door, her face twisted in shock. “Bella! Where have you been? I’ve been calling you for hours, but your phone’s dead! And somehow David got my number. He's been blowing up my phone too, asking if I’ve seen you.”
I tried to hold it together, but my throat was tight. As soon as I looked into her concerned eyes, the pain broke loose, raw and unstoppable. I crumpled, the tears streaming down as I sank to the floor. Elowen was at my side in an instant, wrapping her arms around me. She didn’t ask questions. She just held me while I fell apart.
When the sobs finally subsided, she handed me a glass of water and settled down across from me. “Babe, what happened? I know you’ve been off lately…this isn’t just about work, is it?”
Taking a shaky breath, I whispered, “I saw David and Lizzy…kissing in his office today.”
Her eyes widened, her jaw dropping as she took it in. “Wait, are you serious? Lizzy? I thought she was out of the picture.”
“She isn’t,” I replied, swallowing back another wave of tears. “She never was.”
Elowen looked at me, biting her lip. “But what if it’s not what you think? What if David didn’t mean for it to happen?”
I let out a hollow laugh. “Are you seriously defending him? Whose side are you on?”
She sighed. “I’m on your side, Bels. Always. But…sometimes things aren’t what they seem. Maybe she threw herself at him?”
She didn’t understand. She hadn’t seen the way David and Lizzy looked at each other. She didn’t know that he’d practically pin me to the wall the last time I tried to go to the third floor, or how Lizzy seemed to fit so perfectly into his world. I was just the outsider with a contract binding me to him. And the worst part? I was falling for someone who probably couldn’t feel the same.
DAVID
I couldn’t stop pacing. Every room in this mansion felt too small, too confining without Bella here. I’d been calling her, trying to find her, but it was as if she’d vanished. She’d seen Lizzy kiss me, but it wasn’t what she thought I hadn’t wanted that kiss. I’d been caught off guard, and by the time I realized what was happening, Bella was already at the door, watching us.
The thought of her out there, hurt and alone, gnawed at me. Lizzy was a problem, a problem I hadn’t handled soon enough, and now Bella was paying the price.
“Have you found her?” I barked at John, my head of security, gripping a wine glass so tightly I thought it might shatter.
John looked down, shaking his head. “No, sir. We’re still trying.”
Frustration burned through me. I threw the glass, watching it explode against the wall. “I told you to watch her. How did you let her out of your sight?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” John stammered.
Just then, two other guards approached, exchanging a glance. “Sir, we’ve tracked her. She’s at her friend Elowen’s place on the outskirts of the city.”
John looked back at me. “Should we bring her home?”
I took a breath, trying to calm the rage and worry churning inside me. “No, leave her be. She needs time to cool off.” I dismissed them, but I couldn’t shake the tightness in my chest.
A small voice tugged at me, and I looked down to find Jasper standing by my side, looking up at me with his big, questioning eyes.
“Is Bella okay?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I scooped him up onto my lap, smoothing his hair. “She’s okay, buddy.”
“But…why isn’t she home yet? I miss her,” he murmured, leaning against my chest.
I swallowed the guilt clawing at me. “She’s busy with work tonight. But she’ll be back first thing tomorrow.”
Jasper looked up at me, his eyes searching mine. “Dad, please don’t hurt her again. I really like her.”
My heart twisted. I hugged him tightly, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. “I won’t, Jasper. I promise.”
No matter what it took, tomorrow I’d bring her back. Even if she didn’t want to see me, even if it meant swallowing my pride. Bella belonged here she belonged with us. And I was going to make sure she knew that.