Chapter 103 A Shadow Returns
DAVID
The sound of laughter carried through the summer air, drawing my attention to the yard. Bella stood there, soaked from head to toe, her hair clinging to her neck as she laughed with her father and Elowen, water dripping from their clothes. Her smile wide, unguarded, and carefree made my chest tighten.
I leaned against my car, watching from afar, unable to pull my gaze away. Bella’s father splashed her, and she squealed, retaliating with a bucket of water. For a moment, I just stood there, basking in the joy of watching her with her family. This this was happiness.
“Sir, are we staying here or heading back?” my assistant’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.
I straightened and reached for the car door. “Let’s head back,” I said, just as a voice behind me stopped me in my tracks.
“Are you leaving without your wife?”
I turned, and there she was Bella. Her cheeks were flushed, her damp shirt clinging to her growing belly. She was breathtaking.
Her hands rested on her hips as she tilted her head. “Why are you staring at me like that? Do I look that fat?”
I grinned. “You’re not fat. You’re beautiful.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms. “Liar. Look at this belly! It’s huge! And don’t get me started on these weird cravings. Do you know I wanted peanut butter with pickles yesterday? Me! Pickles!”
A laugh bubbled in my throat, but I held it back. “You’re glowing, Bella. You always look beautiful.” I stepped closer, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her tummy.
Her features softened. “So… you weren’t going to see me before leaving?”
“I wanted to,” I admitted, my voice low. “But I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it.”
Her expression shifted, and she reached for my hand. “I’ve forgiven you, David. You told me everything, and I’m sorry too for not giving you the chance to explain before.”
Relief flooded me. I pulled her close, brushing my lips against hers. The kiss deepened, her soft moan sending a shiver down my spine.
“Can you two get a room?” Elowen’s voice broke through the moment. “Let us single people breathe!”
I pulled back, laughing as Bella’s father stood beside Elowen, both of them smirking at us.
“Will you come back home with me?” I asked, my voice hopeful.
She nodded, a soft smile curving her lips. “Yes. But first, I need to take my father home.”
I couldn’t hide my grin. She was finally coming home.
We drove to Mr. Adam’s house, the scent of polished wood filling the air as we stepped inside. The furniture was old but well-kept, the house exuding warmth.
“I’m glad to see you two back together,” Mr. Adam said, his eyes twinkling as he gestured for us to sit.
I took Bella’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Thank you, sir, for raising such an incredible daughter.”
Bella’s sharp pinch on my arm made me wince. “That hurt!” I yelped, earning laughter from everyone.
“May I call you ‘Father’?” I asked, my voice earnest.
His face softened, and he nodded. “Yes, you may.”
I stood, bowing slightly. “Thank you… Father.”
Later, as we drove to my mansion, the cool breeze swirled through the car, teasing Bella’s hair. My phone buzzed with a message from Janet:
"Denise has been circling your mansion. I saw him on the CCTV. I’m scared. What if that devil tries to get in and kidnap me?"
Anger surged through me, my fingers curling into tight fists. How dare Denise? If he touched my sister again, I wouldn’t just deal with him I’d destroy him.