Chapter 115 The Devil's Play
DAVID
Bella’s expression told me everything I needed to know. She tried to mask it with that soft, disarming smile, but I wasn’t fooled. I’ve lived with her long enough to recognize the storm brewing behind her eyes. She’d promised to let me take the lead, but I knew better. The mystery surrounding her parents and Elowen’s cryptic behavior had already consumed her.
And that scared me.
Elowen’s father, Mr. Western, wasn’t just dangerous he was lethal. The kind of man who didn’t think twice before crossing moral lines. I couldn’t let Bella step into his world unprepared, not when she was carrying my child.
Bella brushed past me, her hand brushing mine as she moved toward the bedroom. “I’m tired, David. I’m going to bed.” Her voice was soft, but I caught the faint edge of exhaustion beneath it.
I nodded, forcing a smile. “Okay, babe.” Leaning in, I kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes, and for a fleeting moment, I saw the vulnerability she rarely showed. Watching her retreat down the hall, I tightened my jaw.
This wasn’t just about her anymore. It was about our family. And I wasn’t going to let anyone especially Mr. Western threaten that.
Back in my office, the soft glow of my laptop illuminated the dimly lit room. My phone buzzed, breaking the silence. A message.
"I told you to keep your friend at a distance. Why is she getting close to Mrs. Williams? Unless you want her dead, stay away from her. She should be dealt with before anything leaks."
The sender: Mr. Western.
I stared at the words, the implications sinking in like a blade. My grip on the phone tightened. Bella. Dead? My mind raced, connecting dots I hadn’t thought to connect before. Western didn’t know Bella was my wife. He didn’t realize the woman he was threatening was the one person I would burn the world to protect.
A second message buzzed through. This one from Elowen.
"Dad, don’t you dare hurt my friend. She’s the only person I have. I’ll keep her away from Mrs. Williams, but don’t harm her. I’ll protect her, even if it costs me my life."
I exhaled sharply, leaning back in my chair. So, Elowen wasn’t completely in her father’s pocket. But her loyalty only complicated things. If she was willing to sacrifice herself for Bella, it meant she was standing on fragile ground, teetering between her father’s orders and her own conscience.
The pendant flashed in my memory. Mrs. Williams had mentioned it before, casually admiring Bella’s. “It looks so much like one I designed,” she had said, her fingers brushing the delicate chain around Bella’s neck. Too coincidental.
Another buzz. Another message. This one from Mrs. Western to Elowen.
"That girl needs to be kept at a distance. If you can’t do it, I will. She’s a liability. Handle it before it’s too late."
A chill settled over me. Liability? They were talking about Bella like she was a pawn in some twisted game.
I leaned forward, my mind racing. If Western thought he could play god with Bella’s life, he was in for a rude awakening. But I needed more information, more leverage.
Reaching for my phone, I dialed a number I hadn’t called in months. Janet picked up on the third ring.
“Big brother,” she drawled, her tone playful. “What’s so urgent that you’re calling me this late?”
“I need your help,” I said, my voice low.
There was a pause. “With what?”
“Mr. Western.”
The sound of glass shattering echoed on her end. I could almost see the fire in her eyes. Janet had always believed Western was responsible for our parents’ deaths, though we never had proof.
“What’s he done now?” she demanded.
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “He’s threatening Bella. And I think Mrs. Williams might be the key to all of this.”
Janet let out a sharp breath. “Do you have a plan?”
“I’ll need you here tomorrow. We’re going to confront him. Together.”
Her voice softened, a rare vulnerability breaking through. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for years, David. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right.”
“We will,” I promised.
After hanging up, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. My mind replayed the events of the day: Elowen’s protective words, Western’s threats, and Mrs. Williams’ peculiar interest in Bella’s pendant.
The pieces were starting to fall into place. And while I didn’t have the full picture yet, one thing was certain: Western had underestimated me.
In this game, I wasn’t just a player. I was the one holding the cards.