Chapter 91 Bella's POV

Chapter 91 Bella's POV
Chapter Ninety-one

Bella's POV

I blinked the tears away from my eyes. “I forgive you, Xander,” I whispered under my breath.

Xander froze for a minute and his shoulders loosened.
He looked almost… relieved.

I forced myself to look away before that look could get to me.

He stayed crouched in front of me, way too close.

I became aware of his presence and I shifted slightly, giving myself a little space.

“It’s fine, Xander,” I repeated slowly.

He hesitated, then rose slowly.

I straightened in my chair and kept my hands firmly on the desk so he wouldn’t see them tremble.

He waited in the room and was watching me carefully.

“I didn’t tell you,” I began calmly, “because Noah fainted. I panicked. I reacted. There wasn’t time to think of anything else.”

Xander swallowed, but he didn’t interrupt.

“And yes,” I continued, “I knew you’d probably jump to conclusions. You always do.”

His jaw tightened, but he accepted it.

“I was wrong,” he said quietly.

The fact that he kept his pride aside and acknowledged his wrong was enough to make my heart melt.

I looked away and gathered myself.
My emotions had been all over the place today, and I wasn’t about to let him see me break down twice in the same week.

“Are you okay?,” he asked

I breathed in slowly.

“I’m okay, Xander.”

He blinked as if he didn't believe me.

“You don’t look okay,” he murmured.

“I am,” I insisted. “Really. I’m fine. I handled it. Noah’s okay. I’m okay. It’s just been… a lot.”
I forced a light smile. “But I’m managing.”

“Bella… I didn’t want to hurt you,” he said softly.

I nodded once. “I know.”

Silence settled between us.

“What about Noah?” he asked. “Is he alright now?”

“He’s stable,” I said. “He had low blood sugar and stress. The doctor said he just needed rest.”

Xander exhaled shakily.

“And you?” he asked softly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I said again. “I promise.”

For a moment, he didn’t move.
He just watched me.

Then, finally, he nodded.

“Alright.”

He stepped back, giving me space.

“I’ll let you work,” he said softly. “If you need anything… tell me.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

He turned to leave, but paused at the door.

“Bella,” he said without looking back.
“Thank you for always being there for him.”

I gave a small smile. “Of course. He's my son after all.”

He walked out and closed the door quietly behind him.

The moment he was gone, I exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to my chest.

I shook my head.

“Focus, Bella,” I muttered under my breath.

I reached for the stack of files Kate had dropped off and forced myself to flip open the first one.

I just needed a few minutes to breathe and to feel normal again.

Just as I was about to press the tip of my pen to the paper… someone knocked.

I almost screamed out in frustration.

“Come in,” I called out instead.

The door opened and Maria, the HR assistant, poked her head inside. She was the last person I wanted to deal with.

“Bella,” she said with a bright smile. “Do you have a moment?”

Of course she did.

I nodded reluctantly. “Yes.”

She stepped inside, closed the door, and walked toward my desk.

“So…” she drawled, leaning against the chair across from me. “I heard Mr. Knight left the meeting. Because of you.”

I blinked slowly.

Oh God. What did I do now?

“That’s not…” I started.

“And,” she continued. “He stormed into your office right after. The whole floor is talking.”

I sighed. “Maria, nothing happened. It's you know… it was work-related.”

She raised a brow. “Work-related doesn’t make a man leave a million-dollar meeting, Bella.”

I clenched my jaw.

“Can you please not start rumors?” I asked quietly.

Her smile faded slightly. “I’m not starting anything. Everyone saw it.”

I felt my stomach twist.

Maria softened a little. “Look… I’m just saying be careful. You know how the board is. They’re already looking at you because of that anonymous HR complaint.”

I swallowed hard.

“Just keep your head down,” she added gently. “The last thing you need is people thinking something is going on between you two.”

I nodded. “I know.”

She gave me a sympathetic smile before walking out.

The moment she left, I pressed my fingers to my temples and shook my head.

“Focus, Bella,” I murmured under my breath.

Just as I was about to dive back into the files, my phone buzzed on the desk.

It was a message from Daniel:

“Are you okay? Should I come over?”

I stared at it for a moment with my thumb hovering over the screen.

“I'm fine and Noah's fine.”

I typed back quickly, my fingers trembling slightly.

I set the phone down on the table. I needed to concentrate on work.

Then, a soft knock at the door made me jump. My heart skipped.

“Come in,” I called, trying to steady my voice.

This time, it was Grace. She stepped in quietly, holding a fresh stack of documents.

“Sorry to bother you,” she said softly, “but these came in from accounting. They need your approval.”

I nodded and forced a smile. “Thank you, Grace. I appreciate it.”

She lingered for a moment and then added, “Are you… sure you’re okay?”

I blinked at her, slightly startled. “Yes. Really. I’m fine.”

She gave me a small, uncertain smile before quietly leaving the office.

I closed my eyes again and pressed a hand to my face.

Fine. I’m fine.

I repeated it like a mantra, trying to believe it until it can manifest into my reality.

I opened my eyes and stared at all the files in front of me and took a deep breath.

Just focus, Bella. Just get through today.

The weight of Noah's sickness, the stress from work and Xander all weighed down on me.

But I have to stay strong… for Noah.