Chapter 24
Bella POV
The day had started horribly. I was barely done with my breakfast when I received a text about the meeting. I had to attend the Maplewood Community Ladies Association meeting–one of those ridiculous gatherings where wives pretended to care about charity and community while secretly gossiping and showing off their husbands.
I had been trying to fit in for months, but no matter how hard I tried, they only saw me as “the other woman” or “that home wrecking
whore.
I sat at the long table, sipping the lukewarm tea, trying to ignore the hushed whispers and pointed stares from across the room. Mrs. Whitman, the so–called leader of the group, had decided to make a show of it today.
“We, as women of Maplewood, must uphold integrity in our homes and community,” she said, her eyes shifting to me. “And we should not let some whore destroy our homes.”
The others giggled, and I knew her jab was aimed at me
If you have something to say, Mrs. Whitman, say it
it, I snapped, setting my tea down with a hard clink.
“Oh. Bella, dear,” she said with a condescending smile. “We’re just worried. With your… reputation, you can’t blame us for being scared of you. Who knows what you might do to our husbands?”
I stood up, I wasn’t going to let her have her way.
“You know what? Save your worries. I’m here to help the community, not listen to your petty insecurities. If your marriages are so fragile that my presence threatens them, that’s on you, not me.”
I reached for my checkbook, scribbling down a significant donation. Here’s my contribution. Maybe focus on the projects instead of me.” I tossed the check onto the table and walked out.
In the car, I let out a sigh, my hand instinctively going to my stomach.
“At least I have you,” I whispered, my fingers brushing over the slight curve.
The memory of my parents‘ reaction when they found out about Alex flashed in my mind, making me laugh bitterly. They had been furious at first, shouting about how I had ruined my life. My brother hadn’t even bothered to argue–he just stopped talking to me altogether. He still avoided me to this day.
But when my parents learned I was pregnant, they had no choice but to accept him. He wasn’t just the man who left his wife for me, he was the father of their future grandchild, and that made him acceptable. Barely.
I sighed, leaning my head back against the seat. I didn’t regret anything. I loved Alex, and if loving him made me a villain in everyone’s eyes, so be it. Julie was out of the picture, and the sooner people accepted that, the better..
When I got home, I heard shouting from my father’s study, I winced. Alex.
“You’re wasting my investment!” my father shouted as he slammed his hand on the desk. “Do you think I throw money around for fun? The last two productions were successful, but this latest project is a disaster. Fix it, or you’re done!”
I sighed and went to my room, knowing Alex would come up soon enough. Sure enough, a few minutes later, there he was, looking defeated as he shut the door behind him.
“Rough day?” he asked, dropping to his knees in front of me.
I sighed.
“Don’t even get me started,” I said, crossing my arms as he began massaging my feet. “The community meeting was a disaster. Those women treat me like garliage, Alex Like I’m an alien who isn’t meant to be on this planet.”
“Can you believe Mrs. Whitman? The nerve of that woman-calling me a homewrecker.”
“I’m sorry, Bella,” he said.
1/2
10:03 PM
Chapter 21
This is all my fau
fault”
ing back i
“It’s your fault, you know,” I said, leaning back in the plush chair.
“I know,” he said, his hands working on my calves now. “And I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
“You better,” I said, pretending to be upset. “Because of you, I’m called the other woman. A whore.”
“I will make it up to you,” he said quickly, kneeling before me like I was some kind of goddess.
I smirked. “You better. But first of all, start by massaging my shoulders.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, standing and moving behind me. His hands pressed into my shoulders, and I couldn’t help but let out a small sigh. His touch was relieving.
This was what I loved about Alex. He was completely in my hands, ready to do whatever it took to make me happy. He might have his flaws, but he knew how to treat me like I mattered.
Then his phone beeped.
He paused as he made an attempt to grab his phone. “Let me just check that-”
“No,” I said, stopping him. I reached out for the phone on the table before he could. “Let me get that. I haven’t checked your phone in a while. Carry on with what you’re doing.”
“Bella, he attempted to say something, but I held up a finger, silencing him.
I unlocked the phone, then I saw the message. It was from] Julie.
“Don’t you ever pull that stunt of coming to my place again without my notice. You can meet up with Avery today at 12 p.m. at the café close to my street,”
I must have read it wrong, but as I read the message again, it sure was real. He had met up with Julie.
“What the hell is this?” I shouted, standing up and throwing the phone toward him. It hit his chest and fell to the floor.
Alex froze. He bent down to pick up his phone, but it was already broken.
“You are meeting up with her, aren’t you? Are you now seeing her, or do you want to get back with her? Wouldn’t you like t
hat- to start from where you stopped?” I asked.
I can explain, Bella. Let me explain,” he said.
“Start. Now I said.
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.