Chapter 97 Bella's POV

Chapter 97 Bella's POV
Chapter Ninety-seven

Bella's POV

The moment Xander walked out of the room, my knees nearly buckled.

I waited until I could no longer hear his footsteps before sinking into the chair beside Noah’s bed.

My hands trembled as I reached for Noah’s tiny fingers to steady myself.

Noah calling him “Daddy” frightened me more than I could explain.

I pressed a hand against my forehead and slowly massaged the throbbing spot between my brows, my head was killing me.

He looked at Noah and looked at me… like he already knew the truth.

I stood and paced the room slowly and carefully in order not to wake Noah.

If he confirmed his suspicions or If he realized Noah wasn’t Daniel’s… he could take Noah away from me.

My stomach twisted painfully.

I had spent four years protecting this secret.

I stared at Noah again, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. Noah was my entire world.

There was a knock at the door, a nurse came in.

“Ma’am,” she whispered, “I just came to check his vitals.”

I nodded and stepped aside.

She took his temperature, adjusted an IV line, scribbled something in his chart, and left quietly.

I sank back onto the chair and stared at the closed door.

Xander didn’t argue or push further when I told him nothing was going on and that scared me more.

—————
By the time it was morning, my body felt like it had been run over by a truck.

I’d spent the entire night in that stiff hospital chair beside Noah, drifting in and out of sleep.

Every time he shifted or sighed, I jolted up, wide awake.

Around 7 a.m., a nurse walked in.
“You should go home and rest,” she said.

I just nodded. I had to go to work anyway.

I kissed Noah’s forehead, whispered that I’d be back soon, and forced myself to leave.

I washed my face in the hospital bathroom and went outside.

But I didn’t go home, I went straight to the office.

My reflection in the mirrored wall on the elevator looked awful. I had dark circles, messy hair, the same clothes from yesterday but I didn’t care.

I walked quickly to my desk, dropped my bag and immediately went straight to work.

I tried to distract myself with work, but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

I couldn’t keep this inside anymore, I needed to tell someone.

I reached for my phone and peeked into the hallway, it was empty.

I locked my door and dialed Daniel’s number.

He picked on the third ring.
“Bella? Are you at the hospital?”

“No,” I whispered. “I’m at work.”

He paused for a moment.

“You sound… off. What happened?”

I pressed a hand to my forehead. “Daniel, I… I think Xander knows,” I breathed.

“What?” His voice sharpened instantly. “Know what?”

I blinked the tears that welled up in my eyes. “The truth about Noah.”

There was silence. “Bella, calm down…”

“I can’t.” My voice cracked. “Daniel, he looked at Noah. He looked at me. He knows something. I could feel it. He kept staring at him like… like he recognized him… like he knew.”

Daniel sighed deeply.
“Bella, listen to me. Even if he suspects something, there’s no proof. None. As long as you don’t say anything, he cannot do anything.”

I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. “Daniel, he’s Xander Knight. He can do anything he wants.”

“No,” Daniel said firmly. “Not without evidence. And not without your consent.”

His confidence only made my fear grow.
“Daniel, what if… what if he finds out?,” I whispered shakily. “

“He won't.”

“But what if… I don't want anyone to take my son away from me.”

Daniel answered softly. “Bella, look at me… do you hear me?”

I wiped my tears with my hand. “Yes.”

“You’re Noah’s mother. Nobody… not even Xander can take that away. Whatever happens, we’ll handle it. Together. You’re not alone.”

I closed my eyes. I wanted to believe him badly.

He continued, “If he confronts you, stay calm. Deny everything. Until anything concrete happens, we don’t panic.”

“But I am panicking,” I whispered.

“Then let me panic for you,” he said gently. “You just breathe. Go home after work. Check on Noah. If anything changes, call me immediately. We’ll face whatever comes next.”

I exhaled shakily. “Okay.”

“Bella… you did what you had to do. Don’t blame yourself. I know you didn't just decide to hide the secret. I trust your judgement.”

“Thank you.”

We ended the call.

I stood there for a long time, staring at my trembling reflection in the office window.

I forced myself to walk normally back to my desk, even though my legs felt weak. I sat down, opened my laptop, and tried to breathe.

I pretended to type, pretended to focus, pretended to be okay.

I kept my eyes glued to the screen, praying he wouldn’t come out of his office. Praying I wouldn't have to face him.

Suddenly, the intercom buzzed.

“Ms. Reyes, my office. Now.”

My heart skipped a beat. Why was he calling me Ms. Reyes all of a sudden?

I slowly stood up and went to his office.

I hesitated a bit before knocking his office door.

“Come in,” he called from inside.

I opened the door slowly. “You called me sir?”

“Sit,” he spat out

I sat down quietly and twisted my fingers nervously.

He didn’t speak for a moment, he only stared at me.

I swallowed hard.
“Is something wrong, Sir?”

He pulled out his drawers and pulled out a white envelope.

He threw it in front of me.

My brow went up. “What is this, sir?”

“Why don't you open it and tell me?”

The paper crinkled as I unfolded the letter.

My eyes bulged immediately I saw the contents of the letter. My breath stopped completely.

He leaned on his chair, folded his arms and stared at me.

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out.

Tears stung the back of my eyes as I stared at the envelope, unable to look away.

“Do you want to tell me why the DNA test I took last night says Noah is my son?”