Chapter 71 The Return of Lizzy
LIZZY
The click of my stiletto heels echoed in the quiet room as I paced, the plan forming clearly in my mind. Three weeks. It had been three weeks since David and I had slept together. It was time to make my move. My lips curled into a smile as I tapped my manicured nails against the countertop.
A fake paternity report.
David wouldn’t be able to deny it. He’d walked right into my trap that night, drugged and defenseless. Now, he’d have no choice but to accept responsibility. Bella might still be in the picture, but with this bombshell, I’d tear her away from him.
My thoughts were interrupted by the door slamming open. Michael stormed in, his face red with anger. “You told me Bella would be mine!” he barked, his voice raw with frustration. “But instead, she’s still with David protected by that damn Copperfield family!”
I sighed dramatically, turning to face him with a smirk. “Calm down, Michael. These things take time. Bella isn’t invincible.”
“Time?” he shouted, his fists clenching at his sides. “She’s in that mansion, surrounded by guards. How do you expect me to get to her?”
I strolled closer, my heels punctuating every step. “Bella’s not untouchable, Michael,” I said, my voice low and deliberate. “Here’s the news you’re missing she’s lost her memories.”
His face froze, the anger giving way to shock. “What? How?”
I leaned in, my lips curling into a wicked smile. “She was hit by the car we arranged that night, remember? The accident affected her memory. And now? She doesn’t even like David anymore.”
Michael blinked, the information sinking in. “She doesn’t like him? Are you serious?”
I nodded, crossing my arms. “And tonight’s the Copperfield family dinner. It’s the perfect chance. I’ll show up and drop the bombshell about my pregnancy. Trust me, Bella will react. She’ll run out, and that’s when you’ll step in to comfort her.”
His eyes lit up with a dangerous glint. “And if she divorces David…” he trailed off, piecing it together. “She’ll take half the Copperfield shares!”
My smile stayed fixed, but inside, I laughed. Idiot. As if David would ever let her take his fortune.
“Yes, Michael. Half the shares,” I said, my voice smooth and convincing.
He grinned, the fool taking the bait. “I’ll be there. Let’s make it happen,” he said, turning and walking out with renewed determination.
The door shut behind him, and I let out a sharp laugh. “A pawn,” I muttered under my breath. “That’s all you are.”
DAVID
The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed twice, marking the second hour I’d been standing by the staircase. I adjusted my tie and glanced upstairs again. Bella still hadn’t come down.
“Dad?” Jasper tugged on my sleeve, his small face scrunched in concern. “Should we go check on her? She’s never this late.”
I crouched down, ruffling his hair with a soft smile. “No, son. We’ll wait here for her. She’ll be down soon.”
If only he knew the truth. His favorite person, the woman he adored, wasn’t the same anymore. Bella’s memory loss had turned her into someone unrecognizable.
A loud clatter on the stairs made me look up, and there she was, rushing down like a whirlwind, her hair slightly tousled and her cheeks flushed.
“Sorry I’m late,” she panted, catching her breath at the bottom of the stairs.
“It’s okay,” I said, taking in her outfit. “You look beautiful.”
She flipped her hair over her shoulder with a smirk. “I know. I’m always beautiful.” And just like that, she walked past me toward the car.
Jasper blinked up at me, wide-eyed. “Why is she acting so weird?” he whispered.
I picked him up, whispering back, “She ate a big watermelon, and now it’s making her act like this.”
His eyes widened in fascination. “Can I eat that watermelon too?”
“No, son,” I said with mock seriousness. “That watermelon is just for her.”
“Oh. Then I won’t eat watermelon anymore,” he declared solemnly, making me chuckle.
At Grandpa’s estate, the grand gates swung open, and I spotted Janet standing on the lawn, her arms crossed and an impatient look on her face.
“What does she want now?” I muttered under my breath as we parked.
The moment we stepped out of the car, Janet rushed over, scooping Jasper into her arms like he was the only person that mattered.
“Hey, big brother,” she said offhandedly, still focused on Jasper.
I cleared my throat loudly. “Janet.”
She looked up briefly, giving me a dismissive glance. “What? I can’t say hi to my favorite nephew?”
I rolled my eyes, but before I could reply, Bella appeared at my side.
“I like your sister,” she said with a smile.
“Oh?” I asked, raising a brow. “And why is that?”
“She stands up for herself,” Bella replied simply.
I opened my mouth to respond but froze when I spotted someone walking toward us.
The figure was familiar too familiar.
Lizzy.
She sauntered over, her hips swaying with confidence and a smug smile plastered on her face.
“What are you doing here?” I asked coldly as she stopped in front of me.
“Come on, David. Is that any way to greet an old friend?” she purred.
“Whose friend?” Janet interjected, stepping between us with fire in her eyes.
Lizzy’s smile faltered for a split second before she recovered. “Oh, Janet. I didn’t know you were back.”
“And how exactly does that concern you, bitch?” Janet shot back, her voice dripping with venom.
The two women squared off, their gazes locked in a silent, deadly battle. Tension crackled in the air like a live wire, and I instinctively moved to shield Jasper, who was staring wide-eyed at the unfolding drama.
Bella stepped closer to me, her voice low. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing good,” I muttered, my eyes never leaving Lizzy’s smirking face. Nothing good at all.