Chapter 81 Bella's POV
Chapter Eighty-one
Bella's POV
I shouldn’t have come.
But Daniel had insisted. “You need to eat something, Bella. You’ve been at the hospital all day.”
And maybe he was right. Maybe food would stop the sick feeling I felt in my stomach.
But it didn’t.
I sat there, trying to focus on the menu, but all I could think about was Noah and the oxygen tube across his tiny face. My mind was still at that hospital room, holding his hand.
Then Daniel’s voice broke through. “Bella?”
I blinked up at him. “Sorry, I spaced out.”
“It’s okay.” He smiled softly. “You’ve been through a lot. Let’s just have dinner, okay? You don’t have to talk.”
I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Thank you, Daniel. For everything.”
“It's okay. At this point we should date, right? We're basically couple goals,” he chuckled.
I knew he meant every word, but he was trying to cover it with humour.
I laughed to cover up the awkwardness that was in the atmosphere after his statement.
He opened his mouth to say something.
My eyes wandered unconsciously and then I froze.
Because across the restaurant… I saw him.
Xander.
Sitting just a few tables away.
My heart dropped to my stomach. Anna was sitting across from him, laughing too loudly, brushing her hand against his arm like she owned him.
I felt my breath hitch. Of all the places in the city… why here?
Daniel noticed the shift in my expression and followed my gaze. His jaw tightened when he saw them. “Of course,” he muttered under his breath.
I swallowed hard and looked away, pretending to study the candle in front of me. But I could feel Xander’s grey eyes burning through me from across the room.
My chest constricted.
Why was he doing this again even after I warned him the last time?
The waiter came by to take our order. I barely heard what Daniel said. My mind was spinning.
When I dared to look up again, our eyes met.
Xander’s gaze was cold. The kind of look that felt like I betrayed him.
He raised his glass slowly and deliberately. He gave me a faint smirk before sipping his drink.
That hurt more than I’d like to admit.
I looked away immediately. My throat tightened as I fought back the sting in my eyes.
Anna leaned in close to him, whispering something before laughing again.
I could see Xander forcing a smile to whatever she said.
Daniel noticed. “Ignore them,” he said quietly. “He’s trying to get under your skin.”
“I’m not bothered,” I lied.
He gave me a look that said he didn’t believe me.
But how could I not be?
Seeing him with her — after the way he looked at me the other day, after how gentle he’d been when I woke up under his jacket — it felt like the universe was mocking me.
The food arrived, but my appetite was gone. The sound of Anna’s laugh annoyed me more than I could handle.
When I finally dared to glance at Xander again, his expression had changed. His smirk was gone and now he looked angry.
Daniel noticed my discomfort.
He cleared his throat softly.
“Should we get out of here?”
“I… I know you just brought it here to relax and all that. But I'd really appreciate it if we left.”
“Then, let’s get out of here.”
I nodded immediately, grateful that he granted my request.
He called for the bill, and I reached for my purse, just needing to move. I stood up before he even finished paying.
That’s when I felt his gaze again.
I turned just slightly, and Xander was already standing too. Our eyes locked for a split second.
The room went quiet around me. I could see the rage in his eyes.
And then I turned away.
Daniel gently placed his hand on my back, guiding me toward the exit.
As we stepped outside, the cold night air hit my face. I finally exhaled. That was very intense for me.
I told myself I didn’t care. That Xander could date whoever he wanted.
But deep down, I knew I was lying.
Because no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was done with him. I was still jealous of the fact that he was with Anna.
I slid into the seat beside Daniel.
He reached out for my hand. “Are you okay?”
I nodded gently, trying to blink off the tears that had gathered in my eyes.
“Yeah, I'm fine. He… he just caught me off guard that's all.”
“Just ignore him.”
I shook my head. “Yeah, I know. They just… look very good together.
“You look pretty without even trying. You don't need to wear makeup and all that.”
I blushed and burst into laughter.
“You're always flattering me, Daniel.”
“I'm serious, Bella. You're the prettiest girl I know in my life and trust me when I say this, I see a lot of girls in the hospital everyday.”
I broke his gaze and stared outside the window, unable to reply him.
“I meant what I said earlier, you know.”
“What's that?
“Remember when I said we should date,” he paused a little. “I meant it, Bella. We look very good together already. I promise to always treat you well.”
Oh, Daniel. I… I can't
“Is it because of him?
N… no. I'm not just in the right state… mentally for a relationship now. You know with Noah's health and work.
We can still make it work
I… I'm sorry. I… I just can't. My life is already a lot. Dating will make it more than I can handle.
He regarded me suspiciously.
“You sure that's the only reason?”
I nodded quickly.
But who was I fooling? He clearly knew about my feelings for Xander.
Speaking of Xander, he came out of the restaurant with Anna in his arm.