Chapter 15 The Trip and the Dress
BELLA
I couldn’t tear my eyes from Veronica, standing quietly beside Mrs. Thalassa, her posture almost robotic in its obedience. My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me out of the trance. Glancing at the screen, I read the message: We’re having a workers' trip.
“What?!” The word escaped far louder than I intended. Immediately, I cringed, realizing I wasn’t alone.
Mrs. Thalassa arched a brow, her lips curling into an amused smile. “What’s the matter, angel?”
Embarrassment washed over me. A trip wasn’t worth screaming about, no matter how exciting.
“We’re having a workers' trip,” I repeated, trying to sound calmer.
Her smile widened, and her tone was laced with playful curiosity. “A trip, hmm? Then we must prepare. Let’s make sure you have everything you need.”
I blinked, surprised by her sudden interest in fashion. Mrs. Thalassa could outshine any designer, no doubt, but her attention to me was unsettling.
The day turned into a whirlwind of shopping. By the time I returned home, exhaustion clung to me. Jasper was asleep in my arms, his soft breath warming my neck. David stood on the balcony, glass of red wine in hand, catching the fading evening light. His eyes met mine briefly, but the unreadable expression left me on edge.
Two maids rushed forward to take the mountain of shopping bags from my hands. Before I could even process it, David stepped closer, his arms reaching out to take Jasper from me. The weight lifted off my arms, but the tension in the air only thickened.
“Why are you so late?” His voice was low, calm, but the underlying frustration was clear.
“We went shopping,” I answered quickly. “Your mom bought a few things for the workers' trip.”
“It’s 10 p.m.,” he said, his gaze hardening. “You had my son with you. What if something had happened?”
His words stung, even though they weren’t entirely unfair. “I was with your mom,” I offered weakly. “I’m sorry.”
He said nothing, just turned and carried Jasper upstairs, his silence heavy. I followed, guilt gnawing at me. David was a protective father, and I couldn’t blame him for that. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had done something wrong, despite knowing Jasper had been safe.
“I’ll have to let your mom know you don’t appreciate us being late,” I muttered as he tucked Jasper into bed with surprising gentleness.
David turned to face me, his eyes narrowing. “Are you threatening me with my own mother?”
“Maybe I’ll tell Grandpa instead,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
His lips twitched into a smirk. “You’re childish, Bella.”
My heart skipped a beat. It was the second time he’d said my name like that, and it caught me off guard. Without another word, he left the room, leaving me standing in the soft glow of the nightlight, unsure of the game we were playing.
As I headed to my own room, his parting words echoed in my mind: I got you some clothes. They’re in your room.
Curiosity sparked as I opened the door. Laid across the bed was a black flared gown, the fabric shimmering under the light. I ran my fingers over it, marveling at the softness. He had picked this out for me?
The next morning, I slipped into the gown, its perfect fit clinging to my curves. When I entered the dining room, David and Jasper were already seated. David’s eyes flicked up, and for a split second, something softened in his gaze.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured before quickly looking away, as though he regretted the compliment.
I stood frozen, stunned by his words.
“Bella, can I come with you?” Jasper’s small voice broke the moment, his wide eyes full of hope.
I hesitated, glancing at David for support.
“It’s a business trip,” David said firmly. “You’ll stay with Grandma or Great-Grandpa.”
Jasper’s face fell, his shoulders slumping. My heart ached as I knelt down to wipe the tears threatening to spill.
“We’ll be back soon, sweetheart. I’ll bring you back something special, okay?”
His face lit up at the promise, though a frown lingered. “Pinky promise?”
“Pinky promise,” I whispered, sealing the deal.
As Jasper climbed into the car to head to his great-grandfather’s, I felt the weight of David’s gaze on me.
"We will be leaving in the next hour.”
“We?” I repeated, confused.
“Yes, we.” His eyes glinted with a dangerous edge. “Why wouldn’t we?”
My throat tightened, my voice dropping. “I don’t want anyone to know we’re married.”
David leaned back, his gaze sharper. “What if I decide to announce it to the world?” His tone was a threat wrapped in a question, daring me to challenge him.