Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Bella’s living room felt like it was closing in on her.

The lights were on, but the space still felt dim, the shadows stretching along the walls as she paced back and forth across the rug.

Her phone was clenched tightly in her hand, her grip so firm that her fingers ached, but she didn’t loosen it. She couldn’t. It felt like the only thing anchoring her to reality.

Her heart was racing violently, each beat loud enough to echo in her ears. Sweat dampened her palms and the back of her neck, her skin slick with anxiety. Every few steps, she stopped, dragged in a sharp breath, then resumed pacing again, faster this time.

This was slipping out of her control.

The thought slammed into her with brutal clarity, sending a wave of panic through her chest. For weeks, she had been so sure of herself. So confident. Everything had gone exactly the way she planned. Adrian had reacted just as she expected—confused, shaken, trapped.

Until this morning. His voice replayed in her head, calm and cold and stripped of any emotion.

‘Be ready. Eleven o’clock. We’re going to the hospital.’ No hesitation. No argument. No room for manipulation.

Bella squeezed her eyes shut, her breath coming out unevenly. The hospital appointment loomed over her like a ticking time bomb.

She knew—deep down, with terrifying certainty—that if she stepped into that hospital, everything would fall apart. Every lie, every carefully laid plan, every move she had made would unravel in seconds.

She couldn’t let that happen.

The doorbell rang.

Bella jumped, a startled gasp tearing from her throat. Her heart slammed harder, fear spiking sharply as she stared at the door. For a moment, she didn’t move, half-expecting Adrian to walk in uninvited, demanding answers she didn’t have.

Then she rushed forward, yanking the door open with frantic urgency.

“Gina.” Relief washed over her as her best friend stepped inside, but it didn’t last long.

Gina closed the door behind her and immediately paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the scene. Bella’s frantic movements. Her pale face. The tension hanging thick in the air.

She dropped her handbag onto the couch and crossed her arms. “Alright,” she said slowly. “What’s going on? You sounded unhinged on the phone.”

Her gaze sharpened. “This is about Adrian again, isn’t it?”

Bella let out a long, dramatic sigh and collapsed onto the couch, her body slumping forward as if she’d lost all strength at once.

“Yes,” she said, voice strained. “It’s definitely Adrian.”

She leaned forward, pressing her elbows into her knees, rubbing her temples. “He called this morning. He wants to take me to the hospital. For a pregnancy check-up.”

Gina froze in shock. “What? Is he being serious?”

“He demanded it,” Bella continued, panic seeping into her words. “No discussion. No excuses. Just told me to be ready by Eleven.”

Gina’s eyes widened. “But you said he wouldn’t question you. You were so sure of it and that’s why we went ahead with the plan.”

“I thought he wouldn’t!” Bella snapped, springing to her feet again. “I was so sure he wouldn’t.”

She began pacing once more, her movements sharp and restless. “But something changed. He’s suspicious now. And when Adrian gets like that, there’s no talking him out of it.”

Her voice cracked. “If I go to that hospital, Gina… the truth will come out. You and I know that.”

She stopped in front of her friend, desperation written all over her face. “I can’t let that happen. I didn’t come this far just to lose everything.”

Gina inhaled slowly, forcing herself to think instead of panic. “Okay,” she said calmly. “Breathe. We’ll figure something out. You being panicked isn’t going to help.”

Bella shook her head. “There’s nothing to figure out. He already warned me not to keep him waiting.”

“What about pretending to be sick?” Gina suggested cautiously.

Bella scoffed. “He won’t believe that. He’ll insist on taking me anyway.”

Gina frowned, then suddenly snapped her fingers. “Mrs. Ravel.”

Bella blinked. “Adrian’s mother?”

“Yes,” Gina said firmly. “She adores you. And she’s been begging for a grandchild for years. If she believes you’re pregnant, she’ll shut this whole thing down herself.”

Bella stared at her, the idea sinking in.

Then hope flooded her expression.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “She won’t let him touch me if she thinks I’m carrying her grandchild.”

A slow smile spread across her face. “This will work.”

She grabbed her phone. “Once she’s on my side, Adrian won’t dare push for any hospital.”

Gina smirked. “Call her.”

Bella dialed quickly, adjusting her posture the moment the line connected.

“Hello, dear,” Mrs. Ravel answered warmly.

Bella softened her voice instantly. “Mrs. Ravel… I’m sorry to bother you so early, but I really need to talk to you. It’s about me and Adrian.”

Concern filled the older woman’s tone immediately. “Is everything alright? What has he done this time?”

Bella sniffled softly. “I… I’d rather talk in person.”

“Then come over right now,” Mrs. Ravel said without hesitation. “I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

Bella ended the call and turned to Gina with a victorious smile.

“That was impressive,” Gina admitted.

Bella hurried to her bedroom and changed into a modest floral dress she knew Mrs. Ravel loved. She smoothed her hair, practiced a tired expression in the mirror, then grabbed her purse.

“I’ll call you after,” she said to Gina, already rushing out.

On getting to the Ravel’s Mansion, Mrs. Ravel greeted Bella with open arms. “You look lovely, my dear.”

Bella allowed herself to be guided to the couch. She sighed heavily and placed a hand over her stomach.

“I’m pregnant, Ma,” she said softly, going straight to the point.

Mrs. Ravel gasped, her face lighting up with joy. “Oh, this is wonderful news!”

Bella blinked rapidly. “But Adrian doesn’t believe me. He wants to take me to the hospital to have me tested.”

Outrage replaced joy instantly.

“How dare he?” Mrs. Ravel snapped. “You’re carrying my grandchild!”

She demanded her phone from the maids and dialed Adrian’s number immediately.

"Adrian Ravel!" Mrs Ravel’s voice boomed through the phone.

"You drop whatever you're doing and come home this instant! We need to talk!" She snapped and without waiting for what Adrian had to say, she ended the call.

—

When Adrian stepped into the living room, his stomach dropped on seeing Bella sat beside his mother. His father also watched quietly.

“This is definitely a setup,” Adrian muttered.

“Sit,” his mother ordered.

“I discovered Bella here is pregnant and all you could do… is to doubt her,” she accused sharply.

“I want proof. That’s all I asked for,” Adrian replied tightly.

“There will be no test,” his father cut in calmly. “Take responsibility for your actions, son.”

“This isn’t your decision to make father,” Adrian snapped.

“Behave like a man for once, and stop running away from everything,” Mrs. Ravel said coldly.

Adrian’s patience snapped.

“You both can keep taking sides with her. But, this isn’t over,” he said, before storming out and slamming the door behind him.

Inside the mansion, Bella watched him leave.

A smug smile curved her lips. “I won this round.” She muttered to her own hearing.