Chapter 18: Lucien said my name

Chapter 18: Lucien said my name


Bella’s POV

I gasped when I saw Elena kissing Zane in public.

I wasn’t expecting to see her like that.

“This is getting interesting,” Emris said, walking up to me with a grin.

Has she started regaining her memory? I wondered to myself. Elena used to be very cold and strict, only soft to her close friends. It still surprises me—the change in her ever since the accident.

“She’s back,” I whispered, smiling.

“Let’s go meet her,” I said, and we both walked toward her.



It was Sunday morning. As usual, I had to go golfing with Dad. I got dressed early and waited in the foyer.

Then, she walked up to me.

“Golfing with Dad?” she asked, faking concern.

“That should be none of your business, right?” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Bella, when are you going to accept me into your heart?” my stepmother asked with that same pitiful tone.

“This is all pretense,” I snapped. “I know you’re only here for my dad’s money. So take what you need and leave when you're done pretending.” Just then, I saw my dad coming down the stairs. I flashed him a smile and walked away.

I had lost my mum when I was ten. That was when she came into our lives. Even after six years, I still hated her with everything in me.



I was about to hit the golf ball when another family approached my dad to say hello. My grip loosened the moment I saw Lucien standing behind them.

I had seen him from afar yesterday at Kade’s party, hanging out with Adrian and Kade. Now here he was, in front of me—in sportswear, looking perfect.

“Hello, Mr. Preston,” Lucien’s dad greeted my father, and they shook hands.

While they chatted, my eyes went back to Lucien. For the first time, he looked directly at me and—smiled. Just like that.

Before I could recover, he was standing right in front of me, and I almost lost my balance.

“Hi, Bella,” he said with a small, cold smile.

Wait, he knows my name?

“Uhmm… hi. Oh—sorry, hello,” I stammered, trying not to look distracted. Up close, he was unreal—sharp nose, clear pale eyes, and lips that could ruin a girl’s day.

We exchanged a few casual words before walking to sit under a shade near the lawn.

“Can I take you to dinner?” he asked suddenly.

I froze.

“What?”

“I’m asking if we could go out for dinner.”

“Okay,” I mumbled, unable to process what was happening.

He picked up my phone from the table, exchanged contacts himself, and returned it. Before leaving, he had already sent a “hi” on my Snap. He flashed one more smile and went back to his father.

I clutched my phone like it was gold, my chest pounding. I couldn’t stop replaying the way he said my name, the way he smiled—like I wasn’t invisible for once.

That night, I tossed and turned, checking my phone every hour like a crazy person, hoping for another message—even just an emoji. But nothing came.



By Monday, I was still replaying the weekend.

When I stepped into our private lounge…I found Elena and Emris already seated. I walked over, hugged Emris tightly, kissing his cheek, then turned to Elena and did the same.

“I love your guts at the party,” I told her, exhaling as I sat beside her.

“Bella, you look very happy this morning,” Elena said with a raised brow.

“What’s happening, Bel?” Emris added, smirking.

“It’s still brewing, don’t worry. You will get to know soon,” I giggled. “Let’s go for math class.”

“I’ll be questioning one of Gloria’s friends today,” Elena said quietly.

“Oh please, Elena,” I rolled my eyes. “I told you not to stress over it.”

“But we need to know who killed her. It’s dangerous staying in the same school with that person,” she said calmly. “He might want to kill more people.”

“That’s true, El,” Emris nodded.

“Anything you want, okay?” I said, still smiling. “You want me to come with you?”

She nodded slightly.

“Should I tag along?” Emris asked, barely glancing up from his phone.

“No, Emris. Thank you,” Elena said. “It might be too crowded, and we might intimidate her into silence.”



After math class, Zane came over. He walked up to Elena and kissed her gently on the cheek.

“Thank you for saying yes,” he said, and Elena smiled.

“You ready?” he asked, and she nodded.

A few minutes later, we were seated with Rosa, one of Gloria’s friends. A scholarship girl.

“So what do you know? We don’t have much time to waste with you,” I scoffed.

Elena touched my hand gently, stopping me.

Ever since my stepmother moved in, I developed this bitterness toward poor people. I always believed they wanted something—money, sympathy, a way in.

But Elena held Rosa’s hands.

“Elena!” I exclaimed.

“Let me do this, Bella, okay?” she said gently, then turned to Rosa. “Thank you for coming.”

Rosa nodded shyly, and I sat back, frowning.

Elena leaned forward. “Please, Rosa. Whatever you know—it matters.”

Rosa hesitated, wringing her fingers together.

“At first... I thought it was you, Elena. When I found out she died in the pool.”

“Gloria liked Adrian, badly back then and when she found out about your engagement... She went a little crazy and started saying stuff—mean things about you.”

“Okay?” Elena said, urging her to go on.

I folded my arms, listening carefully now.

“I don’t know much, but Gloria was dating one of the wealthy boys. She kept it a secret, even from me. But they were close.”

“Wait… Gloria was dating one of the elites?” I asked.

“And whoever pushed her… they knew she couldn’t swim,” Rosa whispered. “It wasn’t random,” she continued.

Elena’s expression turned thoughtful. “Thank you,” she said, and Rosa stood up and left.

“Now we had something,” Elena said, heaving a sigh. “And whoever Gloria was secretly dating… might know something we don’t.”