Chapter 112 A Gift with a Hidden Past
BELLA
David’s warm breath brushed against my forehead as he pressed a tender kiss there. I leaned into his broad chest, letting the rhythmic hum of the car engine soothe me. The world outside the tinted windows blurred into streaks of green and gray, but my mind was stuck on a question I had never gotten a proper answer to.
Jasper’s biological mother.
I’d asked David countless times, but he always deflected, sidestepping the truth with a practiced ease. Early in our relationship, my curiosity had earned me a sharp glare and a clipped response, a warning not to pry. His reaction then only fueled my suspicions. Whoever she was, she wasn’t Lizzy. That much I knew.
Jasper hated Lizzy with a passion that went far beyond childish rebellion.
Lost in thought, I glanced up at David’s face, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes commanding attention even when he wasn’t trying. Before I could look away, he caught me.
“Am I that handsome you can’t tear your eyes away?” he teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
I sighed, shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”
His laughter filled the car, rich and unguarded a side of him the world rarely saw. David Copperfield, the cold, ruthless billionaire, was nothing but a softie behind closed doors. His fingers traced lazy circles on my palm, grounding me.
“What’s on your mind, Bella?” he asked, his voice low and coaxing.
I hesitated. He knew me too well, reading my silence like an open book. But this wasn’t the time. I wasn’t sure he was ready to open that particular door, and I wasn’t ready to push him.
“You,” I said instead, offering a sly smile. “You’re so handsome, it’s distracting.”
David smirked, his confidence swelling. “I knew it. Admit it you’ve never seen a man as good-looking as me.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile that crept onto my lips. He wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t about to inflate his already massive ego. The truth, however, lingered in the space between us. He was breathtakingly handsome, and I was utterly drawn to him, even when he was being insufferably smug.
As the car turned into Grandpa Copperfield’s estate, the sprawling grounds came into view, perfectly manicured and impossibly grand. Rows of uniformed staff stood at attention, their neat attire a testament to Grandpa’s insistence on order.
The car hadn’t even come to a full stop when I spotted Jasper sprinting toward us, his tiny legs pumping furiously. His bright smile lit up his cherubic face as he flung himself into my arms.
“Bella!” he squealed, wrapping his arms around my neck.
I hugged him tightly, breathing in the familiar scent of soap and innocence. “I missed you so much, my little popcorn.”
“I missed you more,” he said, his small hands patting my back.
Pulling back, Jasper’s gaze dropped to my growing belly, his brows furrowing in confusion. “Your tummy looks big. What happened?”
Suppressing a laugh, I smoothed his messy curls. “You’re getting a baby sister soon.”
His face lit up like Christmas morning. “A sister? Really? Does that mean I’m not the baby anymore?”
“That’s right,” I said, smiling. “You’re going to be a big brother.”
Jasper bounced on his toes, his excitement contagious. For a moment, I forgot about David’s presence entirely—until he cleared his throat, reminding us of his towering figure.
Jasper and I turned in unison, his tiny hand gripping mine protectively.
“Don’t you miss your father, Jasper?” David asked, his voice laced with mock hurt.
Jasper scrunched his nose. “Nope!” he said, sticking out his tongue.
I laughed as Jasper tugged me toward the house. “Look!” he said, pointing to his neck. A small silver necklace glinted in the sunlight, the one I’d given him before he left.
“I wear it every day,” he declared proudly. “I told Grandma I missed you, but she wouldn’t let me come home. She said she’s mad at Dad and doesn’t want him spoiling me.”
My chest tightened at his innocent words. Kneeling down, I cupped his cheek. “Don’t worry, popcorn. I’ll talk to her. I’ll make sure you come home with us.”
“Really?” Jasper’s eyes sparkled with hope.
“Really,” I said, my resolve firm.
He let out a jubilant cheer, throwing his arms around me.
“Hello, Bella,” a familiar voice interrupted.
I looked up to see Mrs. Williams approaching, her elegant strides matching her sophisticated aura.
“Hello, ma’am,” I greeted politely, shaking her hand.
She waved me off with a smile. “Please, I told you to call me Mom.”
Heat crept up my cheeks as I nodded. Before I could respond, David appeared at her side, steering the conversation toward business matters. I exhaled a quiet breath of relief as they walked away.
“You looked shy just now,” Jasper teased, his giggle infectious.
“Did not!” I protested weakly.
“Did too,” he countered, smirking. “You should’ve seen your face!”
Sometimes, Jasper had the uncanny ability to make me feel like a kid again. Shaking my head, I took his hand, and we made our way to the dining room, where my mother-in-law greeted me with open arms.
“Oh, look at you!” she exclaimed. “Glowing and carrying a baby girl! We’ll have so much fun shopping together!”
I laughed, nodding. “Yes, it’s a girl.”
Jasper, however, wasn’t amused. “Grandma, don’t you like me anymore?” he pouted.
Scooping him up, she peppered kisses on his cheeks. “You’ll always be my favorite.”
Their playful banter was cut short when Mrs. Williams reentered the room. Her warm smile froze as her eyes landed on the necklace around Jasper’s neck.
“Where did you get this?” she asked sharply, her voice trembling.
The room fell silent, tension thick in the air as she reached out, her fingers trembling as they grazed the small pendant.