In the office
Drrn... Drrn... Drrn...
Amid the quiet of the office, the sound of a phone ringing broke the silence. After a moment, the receiver was picked up, and a calm voice came from the other end.
??? (In a calm voice but with a hidden tone of contempt):
"Madam, your husband... he's cheated on you for the fifth time this week."
The woman (in a cold, emotionless voice):
"Is the girl he's with now... the same as the last one?"
??? (With a hint of confusion mixed with a touch of mockery):
"No, it's another girl this time."
The woman (indifferently, as if it didn't concern her at all):
"I see... Don't forget to take pictures, record a video, and then send it to me."
(She pauses for a moment before adding in a calm yet slightly sarcastic tone)
"And after that, take a two-week vacation for the hard work you've done."
??? (In a serious voice, but you can feel a small smile creeping in):
"Sure, Madam. I'm at your service, should you need anything else."
The call ended, and the silence returned to the room. The woman remained still, simply staring ahead for a moment, her cold eyes reflecting thoughts that were hard to read. There was no trace of anger or sadness on her face... just that absolute coldness, as if this was no more than a daily weather report with no significance.
She remained silent, tapping her fingers rhythmically on the desk, as if thinking about something more important than her husband's repeated infidelity. Suddenly, a faint smile appeared on her lips, but it carried no joy—more like the smile of someone watching a tedious game that had become predictable.
The woman (in a calm voice, as if talking to herself):
"Five times in one week... what a great effort, I should congratulate him on his dedication."
She raised her hand, took her phone, slowly opened her messages, and began reviewing the pictures and videos she had received. There was no reaction on her face, except for calm eyes watching the scene as if she were watching a repeated comedy sketch.
After a moment, she sent a brief message, then set her phone aside, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes for a second, as if savoring some peace before the coming storm.
A few minutes later...
The phone rang again, and this time, the caller wasn't unknown. She glanced at the screen and saw her husband's name shining before her.
The woman (smiling to herself as she slowly picked up the receiver):
"Oh, darling, what a surprise? I didn't expect your call right now."
The husband (in a tender voice):
"My love! Did you miss me so much that you wanted me to come home this quickly?"
The woman (calmly, as if enjoying this role):
"Of course, sometimes I have to be greedy with you, don't I?"
The husband (with love and passion):
"I missed you too, I'll be there in half an hour, okay, my queen?"
The woman (in a sweet voice but with a sarcastic expression):
"Okay, darling, I'll be waiting for you. Goodbye for now."
The husband (happily):
"Goodbye, my heart's queen."
She slowly hung up the phone, then glanced briefly at the screen, as if contemplating the absurdity she had just heard. A sidelong smile appeared on her lips, but it held no real warmth; it was more of a sarcastic expression mixed with a bit of boredom.
The woman (whispering, as she traced the edge of her coffee cup with her fingers):
"My heart's queen, huh? How sweet you are when you don't know that I know."
She rose gracefully from her seat, heading toward the window overlooking the bustling city. The neon lights reflected her silhouette on the glass, as if she were a character in an expected dramatic scene. She ran her hand through her hair gently, then picked up her phone again and sent a short message.
The message: "Get everything ready. We'll be welcoming the guest of honor in thirty minutes."
She pressed send, then set her phone aside and turned toward the mirror. She stared at her reflection thoughtfully, as if examining her features, or perhaps evaluating her suitability for the role of the deceived wife who still trusts her husband.
She chuckled softly, then picked up her favorite lip gloss and began applying it carefully, speaking to herself in a sarcastic tone:
"Let's see how long you can keep up with this play, darling."
She closed the lip gloss cap, took a deep breath, then turned toward the door with slow steps, as if heading into a battlefield, not just a romantic meeting with her husband.
She left her office and headed towards her assistant's desk. She knocked lightly on the door before opening it without waiting for permission. Her assistant was busy in front of the computer screen, working intently without raising her head or showing any interest in her boss's presence.
Bella smiled at her assistant's reaction, then walked closer to her desk and said in a playful tone:
"Don't you think you should respect your boss, Emily?"
Emily raised her eyes to her briefly with a bored expression, then returned to the computer screen, saying coldly:
"Cut to the chase, Bella. I don't have time for your usual nonsense."
Bella chuckled, ignoring her friend's response, leaning on the table as if she were about to drag her into a conversation against her will, enjoying the moment. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, as if she were planning something exciting.
Bella (with an amused smile):
"Oh, you rude assistant, aren't you supposed to show me more respect? I am your boss, after all."
Emily raised an eyebrow indifferently, then continued typing on the keyboard without looking at her.
Emily (with clear boredom):
"You're just a constant source of headache. Say what you have to say, I'm busy with real work."
Bella placed her hand on her chest in an exaggerated way, as if she had been stabbed, before dramatically sighing and pulling out a chair to sit in front of Emily's desk, crossing her arms.
Bella (with a mischievous smile):
"Ah, how did our relationship crumble so much? We used to be close friends, and now you've become my cold, emotionless assistant."
Emily (calmly, without looking up):
"We used to be close friends, then you became the wife of a man who cheats on you five times a week, and you're still concerned with his paint job instead of divorcing him."
Bella's eyebrows lifted slightly, but she quickly regained her sarcastic smile, leaning forward and placing her elbows on the table.
Bella (with a slight wink):
"Oh, do you think I actually care? I'm just enjoying the show. Do you know how fun it is to watch him try to lie to me while I have evidence of everything?"
Emily paused typing for a moment, then looked up at her with an expression that showed no admiration.
Emily:
"You're either a wicked genius or completely stupid. I haven't decided which one yet."
Bella (cheerfully):
"I'd prefer to be both. Now, stop everything, we have a guest of honor arriving in half an hour at my apartment. We need to leave now, and I want to greet him in the best way possible."
Emily sighed, fully aware that things were about to get more exciting than they should.
Emily (pressing her fingers to her temples with clear exhaustion):
"Oh no, don't tell me you're planning something crazy again... Bella, please, don't make me an accomplice in a murder this time."
Bella (with a mischievous smile, placing her hand over her heart as though she was wounded by Emily's words):
"You're so harsh! Since when did you lose your sense of adventure? This isn't murder, it's just... a little lesson in life."
Emily (muttering as she slowly rose from her chair):
"In your dictionary, a 'little lesson in life' usually means an impending disaster."
Bella quickly rose from her seat, clapped her hands excitedly, then pulled Emily by the arm toward the door.
Bella (cheerfully, with a hint of cunning):
"Oh, don't be boring! You won't regret it, I promise."
Emily (dragging her feet with reluctance):
"That's exactly what you said last time, and we ended up in a wild chase in the middle of the night."
Bella (with a cheerful laugh):
"But it was a fun night, wasn't it?"
Emily (dryly):
"Oh, of course, nothing beats running from security guards while wearing a dress with high heels."
The two women left the office, Bella leading the way with lively steps as if she were planning for a grand theater show, while Emily followed with a long sigh, fully aware that her life would once again turn into unexpected chaos.
They reached the elevator. Bella pressed the button and waited patiently, while Emily stared at the ceiling with an empty gaze, as if reconsidering all the life decisions that had led her to this moment.
Emily (crossing her arms):
"Okay, can I at least know who this guest of honor is?"
Bella (with a mysterious smile, placing her finger to her lips):
"It's a surprise, but let's just say it's someone who needs... to reevaluate their priorities."
Emily (with suspicion, narrowing her eyes):
"Bella... don't tell me this guest is—"
The elevator doors opened before she could finish her sentence, and Bella quickly pulled her inside, pressing the button for the ground floor.
Bella (cheerfully, raising an eyebrow):
"Let's keep some excitement in the mix, don't spoil the suspense, darling."
Emily (grumbling as she rubbed her forehead):
"This isn't a thriller movie, this is real life, and I'm not ready for another night of chaos."
Bella (with a light laugh, looking at her reflection in the elevator mirror):
"But don't you think a little bit of chaos makes life more exciting?"
Emily (looking at Bella skeptically):
"If chaos involves the police, drama, or anything that requires me to run in high heels again, I'm not interested."
Bella (nodding seriously but with a playful tone):
"Okay, okay, no high heels this time. Just a little scene... and maybe some theatrical acting?"
Emily (sighing as she exited the elevator with Bella):
"I feel like I'm going to regret this terribly."
Bella (with a mischievous smile, patting Emily's shoulder):
"On the contrary, you'll thank me later!"
They left the building toward the car, where a long night awaited them, full of surprises... and problems, of course.
After a few minutes passed…
Bella's car stopped in front of a luxurious, towering building that radiated undeniable grandeur, clearly designed for the wealthy. Bella stepped out of the car with confident strides, followed by Emily, who carried an expression that suggested she was still trying to process what was happening.
They entered the spacious lobby, where the receptionist bowed formally to them before they made their way toward the elevator. Bella pressed the button, and as soon as the doors opened, they entered, and Bella selected the twenty-third floor.
Emily (in a lazy voice, leaning against the elevator wall):
"Could you tell me now why it feels like we're on a secret mission? I don't understand why there's this mysterious aura around you today."
Bella (with a mysterious smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief):
"A little suspense never hurts, does it?"
Emily (sighing, crossing her arms):
"It hurts when I'm the one who's going to get dragged into this mess."
The elevator chimed, signaling their arrival. They stepped out into the lavish hallway and walked until they stopped in front of a door marked with the number 238. Bella took out her card and waved it in front of the electronic lock, causing the door to open automatically.
Bella entered first, casually removing her formal shoes before slipping on a pair of house slippers, while Emily examined the apartment with wide eyes.
Emily (in amazement, pointing to the decorations hanging around the apartment):
"Did I miss someone's birthday? Or are we on our way to surprise someone?"
Bella (throwing her bag on the couch and smiling broadly as she raised her hands as if announcing great news):
"Yes, we're celebrating a monumental event... I'm finally getting my divorce today from my dear husband!"
Emily froze in place for several seconds, staring at Bella as if she had just discovered that she was an alien.
Emily (with a blank face and neutral expression):
"Do you realize you're the only person who decorates her apartment to celebrate a divorce?"
Bella (playfully swaying toward the kitchen):
"Why not? People celebrate marriage, so why not celebrate freedom?"
Emily (placing her hand on her forehead in exhaustion):
"I feel like I'll need a cup of tea before I process this."
Bella (taking out a bottle of fancy juice):
"Tea?! No, no, we'll drink something more celebratory! This is a historic moment, my dear, a moment of official liberation from the stupidest man I've ever met!"
Emily (whispering to herself as she moved toward the couch):
"Yeah, sure, because things are always simple when it's Bella..."
While Bella prepared for the small celebration she had arranged herself, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that this night wouldn't go as peacefully as planned.
Bella approached Emily's desk carrying the bottle of juice, then stopped in front of her and said quietly, looking at her calmly:
"Emily, do you think you'll ever leave me?"
A moment of silence passed between them as each observed the other, their gazes filled with unspoken questions. After a few moments, Emily smiled softly and said:
"Even if the whole world leaves you, I'll stay with you no matter what."
Another moment of silence passed, surrounded by exchanged glances filled with mixed emotions. Then, as if Bella tried to hide something from her feelings, she turned her eyes away from Emily and walked over to the table, placing the bottle there. She spoke in a low voice, as though trying to ease the tension:
"I hope you don't make me cling to you more than I should because of your words."
Emily chuckled and shook her head sarcastically, then placed her hands on her hips, speaking in an overly serious tone:
"Ah, so you're the type who clings to people just because they show a little kindness? Well, I knew you had attachment issues, but I didn't think it was this bad!"
Bella (raising an eyebrow challengingly while pouring the juice into an elegant glass):
"Don't blame me, it's kind people like you who are the main reason for the spread of this phenomenon!"
Emily (sitting on the couch, crossing her legs, pretending to be proud):
"Well, what can I say? Kindness is a natural talent not everyone has."
Bella (dramatically placing her hand on her chest):
"And what a heavy burden you bear! It must be so hard to be this perfect all the time."
Bella picked up her glass of fancy juice and approached Emily, handing it to her as Emily remained seated while Bella stood in front of her.
Emily (with a sarcastic smile, raising the glass of juice):
"Yeah, but I bear it bravely... now, let's drink to your newfound freedom!"
Bella raised her glass with enthusiasm, but just before she took a sip, she suddenly stopped, staring at her glass for a moment before glancing sideways at Emily with a suspicious look.
Bella (in a low voice, filled with suspicion):
"Wait a minute... did you add something to my juice?!"
Emily (raising an eyebrow with feigned innocence):
"Oh, of course, I added something magical to make your life more exciting!"
Bella (with genuine concern, pulling the glass a little away from her mouth):
"Emily... if you've put something in it that makes me confess my true feelings, I'll make you regret it!"
Emily (bursting out laughing and pointing at her):
"Haha! You admitted you have buried feelings! Ah, I should have recorded this!"
Bella (grumbling as she finally sipped her juice):
"Why do I feel like I've fallen into a trap you set for me without even noticing?"
Emily (winking as she sipped her juice):
"Because you did fall for it, darling, and now enjoy your freedom, I'm sure this night will be fun... and maybe a little dangerous!"
Bella laughed and shook her head, while a mysterious feeling told her that this night would not be just a simple celebration but might hold completely unexpected surprises.
Meanwhile, the sound of the apartment door opening was heard, and Bella and Emily turned towards the newcomer. It was Bella's husband, who, as soon as his eyes fell on her, wore a warm smile. He quietly closed the door, took off his shoes, and slipped into his house slippers before walking directly to where Bella was standing, saying happily:
"I've missed you, my princess."
He then turned to Emily, who was watching him with indifference, and said coldly:
"And welcome, relationship destroyer."
Emily wasn't affected by his words. Instead, a sideways smile appeared on her lips, and she looked at him with a calm, challenging gaze, saying with soft sarcasm:
"Hello, my dear Amori."
It was clear that the relationship between them was anything but friendly. At that moment, Bella smiled as if she was about to say something, but the doorbell rang, interrupting her. She immediately realized that the cake she had been waiting for had arrived, so she excused herself without hesitation, heading to open the door, leaving them alone in a charged atmosphere of tense silence.
Amori stood in place, watching Bella move toward the door, then turned to Emily with an unfriendly look, crossing his arms and saying with a sarcastic tone:
"So, what brings you here today? Did you come to convince my dear wife that I'm a heartless monster that should be gotten rid of?"
Emily (placing her hand over her chest with exaggerated affectation):
"Oh my God, is that what you think of me?"
She then tilted her head slightly and smiled sarcastically while lifting her drink to her lips:
"But since you said it yourself, who am I to disagree with that opinion?"
Amori raised an eyebrow, sighing with frustration as his eyes narrowed with suspicion:
"You enjoy this, don't you?"
Emily (with a light laugh, leaning forward):
"Honestly? Yes, it's one of my favorite sources of entertainment."
Amori furrowed his brow, trying to calm himself, but soon regained his composure as he adjusted the collar of his shirt, saying with a haughty tone:
"Well, enjoy yourself as much as you want, because Bella will eventually come back to me, and you will have no choice but to accept it."
Emily (with a sideways smile, raising an eyebrow):
"Oh, my dear, it seems you haven't realized yet that I'm not here to accept anything. I'm here to make sure Bella gets what she truly deserves."
At that moment, Bella's voice returned as she entered the apartment carrying a carefully decorated cake box, saying enthusiastically:
"Finally! The cake has arrived!"
She then looked up and noticed the tension in the room, stopping for a moment before narrowing her eyes suspiciously:
"Okay, what did you two do this time?"
Emily (quickly, smiling with fake innocence):
"Nothing! We were just talking about life, marriage... and wise decisions."
Amori (arms crossed, mumbling coldly):
"Specifically, foolish decisions."
Bella raised an eyebrow and looked at them with exhaustion, then sighed and shook her head:
"You know? I was hoping this day would go smoothly, but I was naive, as usual."
She placed the cake on the table, then looked directly at her husband Amori and said in a serious but neutral tone:
"By the way, I'm throwing a small party to celebrate my newfound freedom, so if you're staying, try not to ruin the mood."
Amori's eyes widened for a moment before he regained his composure and smiled confidently:
"Oh, of course, I won't ruin anything... but remember, Bella, I'm not the type to give up easily."
Emily (whispering to Bella, raising an eyebrow):
"This guy reads way too many villain novels, doesn't he?"
Bella chuckled lightly as she opened the cake box, saying sarcastically:
"Yes, and I'm afraid the ending won't be in his favor this time."
As Bella took the cake out of the box, Amori's attention was drawn to the inscription on it: "Divorce Party." He furrowed his brow in surprise, then looked at Bella, asking in disbelief:
"Whose cake is this, darling?"
Bella looked up at him with wide eyes, filled with fake innocence, then answered in a calm tone:
"It's mine."
His surprise grew, and he took a step closer to her, saying sharply:
"But you're married to me, don't you see what's written on the cake?"
Bella gave a quick glance at the cake, then turned back to him with a face full of confidence, saying firmly:
"I see perfectly well what's written."
Amori stood still, trying to process her words and actions, which seemed incomprehensible to him. As the seconds passed, his anger gradually began to rise. He clenched his fist so tightly that veins popped out, while he struggled to control his facial expressions, knowing that any terrifying look might make Bella run... which would be his worst nightmare.
He took a step back, as if Bella's words had slapped his mind before his heart, then narrowed his eyes, staring at her for a long while, searching her features for any sign that she was joking. But all he found was the calm confidence that had always bothered him.
Amori (with a tense smile, pointing at the cake):
"So... Divorce party? Is this a joke to you now?"
Bella raised an eyebrow, as if wondering why he was so surprised, then crossed her arms and replied nonchalantly:
"And who said I'm joking? This party is real, and the cake is official proof of that."
Amori stood silently for a moment, trying to process the situation, then exhaled and ran his hand through his hair, trying to quench the spark that was beginning to flare inside him. He looked at Emily, who was watching the scene as if it were one of those drama episodes full of conspiracies, then said coldly:
"Let him guess... you're the instigator, aren't you?"
Emily (putting her hand on her chest with exaggerated affectation):
"Me? I'm just a cheerleader supporting my friend's crucial decisions."
He looked at her with half an eye, then refocused on Bella, who was calmly slicing the cake, as if this moment didn't hold any dramatic effect on her.
Amori (in a calm voice, but filled with suppressed anger):
"Bella, are you serious about this?"
Bella raised her head and looked at him with clear, unhesitating eyes, then smiled gently as she offered him a slice of cake on a plate:
"Taste it, divorce isn't as bad as you think."
He froze in place, feeling as though the world had stopped for a moment. He took the plate, but didn't move, just staring at her as if seeing her for the first time.
Amori (in a low voice barely audible):
"Have you come to hate me this much?"
Bella paused for a moment, then tilted her head slightly and responded calmly:
"I've never hated you, Amori... but I got tired of trying to love someone who only gives me reasons to leave."
Silence fell in the room, but the tension crawled through the air like a storm about to explode. Emily, who had been watching the scene, felt that things were heavier than she'd expected, so she cleared her throat before saying in a playful tone:
"So, are we going to eat the cake, or let it cry with us?"
Bella smiled lightly, while Amori looked at her for a long while, then exhaled deeply as he finally sat down, holding the spoon as if it were a weapon in a losing battle.
Amori (mumbling as he took a bite):
"This divorce... it's tastier than I expected."
Emily laughed, while Bella raised her glass of juice with a sarcastic smile:
"Let's drink to our bold decisions."
As for Amori, he sat there, tasting the cake with a bitter taste that had nothing to do with sugar.
Some might wonder why Amori hasn't caused any drama so far. But he knew very well that shouting and fighting wouldn't work with Bella. On the contrary, it might cause him to lose her forever. He was even afraid to raise his voice in front of his beloved, so he preferred silence and sat eating calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Bella and Emily continued to talk as if the atmosphere wasn't filled with tension. But Emily, more than anyone else, knew that Bella was burning inside. So, she tried to keep her busy with conversation, hoping that, for a few moments, she would forget what weighed heavily on her chest.
Minutes passed heavily for both of them—Bella, pretending to be normal while boiling inside, and Amori, whose mind never stopped searching for the reason why Bella had so easily given up on him.
And when they all finished eating the cake, Emily apologized, claiming she needed to leave, leaving Bella and Amori alone to face the truth they had been avoiding.
Bella sat beside him, while he looked at his hands, as if they held the answer he was searching for. She took a deep breath, then said quietly, but with a voice full of brokenness:
"Why?... Why do you betray me? Have I failed you in some way?"
Amori answered her in a low voice, without raising his gaze:
"No."
Bella continued, as if trying to find one justification for what happened:
"Am I ugly? Are they more beautiful than me?"
He shook his head in denial and replied with the same calmness:
"Definitely not."
Bella kept asking, her eyes searching for the truth he was hiding:
"Are they smarter than me? Do they have more experience? Or is it because they are younger?"
He answered her with the same coldness, which only angered her more:
"No, neither that nor the other."
Her features tightened, and her voice trembled slightly as she said:
"So what? I gave you three chances, I hinted repeatedly that I knew, but you didn't care, and kept doing it coldly!"
He didn't answer, and her tone became more angered:
"How many girls were there during our marriage?"
He hesitated for a moment, then answered with a trembling voice that barely escaped his lips:
"More than fifty girls."
Bella froze in place. For a moment, she couldn't even breathe. But she quickly regained her focus and asked sharply:
"Why? Tell me the reason!"
Amori suddenly stood up, clutching his head as if trying to stop himself from exploding, then shouted:
"Because I'm sick... Yes, I'm sick! Every time I touch you, I try not to hurt you, so I go to them and do whatever I want with them! I'm afraid to hurt you... I can't even think of that with you! I'm afraid to see your tears, that's why I go to them... They threw themselves at me!"
Bella stared at him, her features no less than shocked. She had never imagined it was this deep, so she asked in a near-whisper:
"Do you mean you have sadistic paraphilia?"
Amori turned toward her with dark, frightening features, making her heart race, but she held her ground and didn't show her fear. He took a step closer and said in a low voice, but with an implied threat:
"Yes, I have it, and I can't get rid of it. Do you have a solution for that?"
Her eyes narrowed in anger as she remembered how he had caused the suffering of so many women before, even if they were wrong for approaching him. She said sharply:
"Amori, using your illness on others is not a solution. You should have gone to therapy, or at least told me! I would have helped you overcome it!"
Amori clenched his fists tightly. He wasn't used to anyone shouting at him. But this time, he wasn't facing just anyone—he was facing Bella... the only woman who had his heart, and he couldn't raise his voice at her.
Then he whispered, but with anger buried deep:
"If anyone else had shouted at me, they would've found themselves in their grave by now..."
Before he could continue, Bella interrupted him, stepping toward him, shouting once again:
"I shouted at you, so show me what you'll do to me!"
Amori stood still for a moment, as if contemplating his words, then looked at her with eyes filled with rage and pain. He was teetering between an overwhelming urge to explode and his deep fear of his kind heart, which he was gradually losing. He stepped back, then sighed, as if a cloud of heavy air had squeezed itself between them.
Amori (in a hoarse voice, hesitant):
"You don't understand... I don't want to hurt you. I want to live in peace, but this... this monster inside me can't be stopped. I can't... I can't control it!"
He stood still, his eyes locked on Bella as if time had stopped between them, while he put his hand on his head, as though it would explode at any moment. Then, with quick steps, he approached her again, but this time there was something strange in his eyes, a mix of despair and madness.
Amori (in a low, broken voice):
"You don't know what I've been through... what I felt every time... every time she fell into my arms... I can't stop, I can't... why can't you understand?"
Bella couldn't hold back her tears anymore, even though she had tried so hard to stay composed. Her heart ached, as if every word coming from Amori was driving a dagger into her chest. Still, her eyes remained steady, and her mind raced at high speed.
Bella (in a trembling tone, but composed):
"Because I love you... despite everything. I want you to be okay, but you chose to hide this from me, and you know very well that I could have helped you, I would've stood by you!"
Then she took another step toward him, approaching him cautiously as if she were walking toward the mouth of a volcano:
"But you, Amori, never gave me a chance! You didn't even give me hope! You doubted my ability to understand you, but now... now I understand!"
Amori stopped, his eyes widening as it seemed his heart was shrinking. He swallowed his words, unable to respond. He suddenly realized how foolish he had been at that moment, because he hadn't realized how capable Bella was of helping him, how much she truly loved him, to the point that he feared breaking her.
Amori (in a low voice, tinged with regret):
"I can't... I can't put you in this predicament. I can't be this monster who can't control himself."
Bella fell silent, then smiled a cold smile, as if she was hiding something behind that smile. Despite his pain, despite the bitterness, she felt something strange in her heart, something that began to shake a little.
Bella (in a calm voice, her eyes filled with tears that barely glimmered): "If you see yourself as a monster, do you think I will be afraid of you? Or that I... will run away?"
Amori answered, a deep sense of gloom filling his heart as he looked at the ground, as if the earth was carrying him instead of his broken heart.
Amori (in a whisper, very weak): "I don't want you to do that. If you ran away, I would die inside... Please, don't leave me."
The atmosphere was so charged that the air between them became heavy, as if the walls of the room were closing in more and more with every passing moment. Bella was breathing slowly, while Amori tried to suppress his emotions with hands that couldn't control them.
But at that moment, a voice pierced the gap between them.
Bella (in a firm voice, a language stronger than any threat): "Then I will stay with you. But if you are truly ill, as you say... you must commit to treatment. I don't want to see you destroy your life and the lives of others because of your illness. I don't want to be a heartless woman because you drag me into darkness with you."
Amori smiled, but it was a sad smile, as if life had taken everything from him and given him something small to cling to.
Amori (in a broken voice): "I can't promise that I will change... but I will try. I will try, just for you."
Amori moved closer to her, as if he were a child who had lost affection and was searching for it, his eyes full of confusion and weakness. But he suddenly stopped when Bella pulled away from him, shocked by her action. Before he could ask her why, he was stunned by her cold words that fell like rain:
"I'm here for you, Amori, but that doesn't mean I'll remain your wife. You've betrayed me not once or twice, but many times. My dignity doesn't allow me to stay with you. At first, when I discovered your betrayal, I wanted a divorce, but Emily advised me to give you a second chance, then a third. But now I'm sure that you won't need a fourth chance, because you will keep making the same mistake."
Bella finished her words, her gaze steady and cold. When she said those words, it was clear that her feelings for him had faded, even though she still loved him. This love didn't mean she should forget herself or be humiliated by him.
Amori couldn't respond to her words; he began to tremble inside, whispering in a low voice: "But... you are mine."
Bella answered firmly and harshly, as if her words were a bullet to his heart: "I am not yours. I told you this from the beginning of our relationship, and I will repeat it again: I belong to myself, and no one has the right to say that word to me."
Amori became extremely angry. His nightmare, which he had been running from, was now a reality right before his eyes. He raised his hand toward Bella, who felt tense, but her attempts to hide it didn't succeed. She stepped back slightly, while Amori's features began to change frighteningly. This was not the man she had known.
Amori suddenly rushed forward, raising both hands in front of Bella, as if there was nothing left for him but to scream in the face of this tragic reality. Then, in a hysterical moment, he started pulling his hands from his head and gripping his hair tightly, as if searching for something in the space. Without realizing it, he came close to the wall and began punching it hard with both hands, as if trying to smash himself.
This action was horrifying for Bella. She didn't expect him to hit the wall with that much force. She watched the scene in shock, her eyes hardly believing what was happening in front of her. She felt a sense of fear creeping into her heart, but she held her ground and kept her nerves cold, watching the actions of the man who had once been her other half.
Amori continued hitting the wall violently, his blows becoming more frantic. His voice reflected the sharpness of the anger and confusion he felt, as if each strike was a desperate attempt to release the pain and regret inside him. Bella, despite her tension and fear beginning to show on her face, remained steady in her place, not thinking of fleeing or retreating. She looked at him with eyes filled with questions and amazement, unable to believe this was the man she had loved.
But after a few moments of silence, Amori suddenly stopped hitting the wall. His face was pale, and his hands were trembling. He felt like something inside him had shattered, just as the walls around him had broken. He looked at Bella with empty eyes, as if words had disappeared from his mouth.
He spoke in a weak voice, as if the words had been hard to escape: "You don't understand... I didn't want to become like this. I didn't want to hurt you. But I... I can't control myself."
Amori's words were like a suppressed scream in his heart, a scream filled with regret and the fear of losing her forever. But he didn't know how to express it, how to ask for forgiveness while in a state of inner collapse.
Bella, who had been watching this scene with steady eyes, felt a sense of sorrow. But sorrow was not enough to make her retreat from her decision. She wasn't willing to compromise her dignity, even though she felt a sense of empathy toward him.
After moments of complete silence, Bella spoke calmly, but with unwavering firmness: "Amori... I know you're suffering, but I can't be the reason for this pain to continue. I can't let you humiliate or hurt me again, no matter the reasons."
Amori looked at her, as if wishing she could understand him, but deep down, he knew that the time had passed. All the chances she had given him had vanished in the air, and he was the one who had squandered them.
"I tried, Bella... I tried to be a better person, but I failed." His words were filled with frustration, and his face showed deep exhaustion.
Bella answered him coldly: "Yes, you tried, but you failed... And I won't be the victim of that failure."
Amori stood silently, his eyes filled with tears that he tried to hide. But he knew, deep in his heart, that Bella had made her decision to leave. This time, he had no excuses or justifications to convince her to stay.
But Bella had made up her mind. She knew that her love for him had pushed her to give chances and promises that he hadn't kept. Now, she needed to put herself first, even if it meant distancing herself from the person she once considered her life partner.
Before she left the room, she looked at him for the last time and said calmly: "Amori, I pray for your recovery. But I can't be here anymore. I deserve more than this."
Then, without turning back, she left the room.
Bella slowly climbed the stairs, heading to her room, her mind burdened with scattered thoughts, and the blood of her heart silently bleeding. Behind her, Amori stood in silence, looking at the ground with glassy eyes devoid of life. Then suddenly, he bit his lip hard, gritted his teeth, and stormed away from his place, as if something had exploded inside him.
He followed her with heavy steps, and when he got closer, he grabbed her arm forcefully and yanked her toward him violently, pulling her toward their bedroom without saying a word.
Bella was shocked by his action and began trying to free her arm from him, speaking in annoyance as she resisted his iron grip: "Let me go, Amori... What you're doing now is wrong, this is not normal behavior!"
He suddenly stopped and stood with his back to her, still holding her arm tightly. After moments of suffocating silence, a deep, terrifying laugh escaped from him, a laugh she had never heard before, one that made the blood freeze in her veins.
He turned toward her, his eyes wide in a frightening way, and a twisted smile appeared on his face—one she had never seen on him. His gaze was lost, charged with madness.
Bella's fear increased, and she began trying to escape from him, but he pulled her toward him forcefully and said in a low, trembling voice, as if drowning in delirium: "Tell me, who is it? Who is the man who stole you from me? I don't see your love for me like it was, Bella... my dear."
She looked at him in disbelief: "What do you mean? Are you accusing me of cheating?"
He laughed again and shook his head: "I didn't say that... But who is the one who occupied your heart and mind but me? Who dared to do that?"
Bella said firmly, trying to push him away: "No one! And don't touch me, you're crazy!"
He answered, laughing madly, and began running his bleeding fingers—still oozing blood—down her cheek with a terrifying softness: "Yes, I'm crazy... But crazy for you. You're the only one who lives in my heart. Just tell me who he is, and I'll kill him in front of your eyes, to set an example for anyone who dares to look at you!"
Bella was shocked by his words. She didn't expect him to reach this level of obsession. Then he said, staring at her with a blank look: "You won't say anything, right? Then, don't even think for a moment that I'll divorce you... You're mine, whether you like it or not."
He then began pulling her with even more force, and they were nearing the bedroom. At this point, Bella felt the real danger.
She gathered her strength and stopped moving. Amori turned toward her, and before he could speak, Bella raised her foot and delivered a strong kick to his forehead.
His head snapped back violently, and he fell to the ground, unconscious, staggering as if the world had turned upside down around him.
Bella took deep breaths as she looked at his body lying on the ground. Her hand trembled, but her mind was clear and resolute.
She took her phone out of her pocket, dialed emergency, and spoke quickly: "My husband lost consciousness after an outburst of violence... We're on the third floor, apartment 5B, please hurry."
Then she hung up the phone, looked at him with a gaze that held nothing but silence, with no trace of love or pity... just calm after the storm.
A few minutes later, the ambulance team arrived. Bella opened the door quietly and led them inside. They carried Amori on the stretcher and placed him on it while Bella maintained her outward calm and followed them without
In the hospital...
Bella stood silently beside the doctor while he examined Amori's condition. Her facial expression was stiff, but her eyes betrayed the internal tension she was struggling to suppress. The doctor looked at her with a calm tone, attempting to reassure her, and then said:
"Don't worry, Mrs. Bella, your husband is fine. The blow to his forehead was strong, which is why he lost consciousness, but there is nothing life-threatening. We also noticed some wounds on his hands, as if he had been hitting something hard, but we treated them, and he is now under observation. He is expected to wake up in four hours."
Bella nodded quietly, her voice steady as if weighing each word carefully:
"Thank you, doctor."
Then she looked through the glass at Amori's body lying on the bed, her emotions swirling with sadness, fear, and disappointment... As if she saw a person she knew well, but at the same time, someone she no longer recognized.
Bella sat on the chair facing the intensive care room, frozen in place as if she were submerged in a whirlwind of intertwined memories. Her gaze on Amori was tearless, yet everything about her screamed silently.
She was thinking about everything... the beautiful moments they once shared, the lies that had built up behind his smiles, the betrayals that had poisoned her heart slowly, and the confessions that had shaken her core.
An hour passed, then another, and every minute felt like an eternity.
Finally, Bella began to notice faint movements on Amori's face. His eyes slowly opened, breathing heavily, as if he were coming back from the depths of a heavy dream. He looked around in confusion, at the white ceiling, until his eyes landed on Bella.
He stared at her with a dazed look, then said weakly:
"Bella... are you here?"
She didn't approach him, didn't even move. She responded in a cold, steady tone:
"Yes, I'm here."
Amori tried to lift himself slightly, but his body wouldn't obey him. He continued with a painful exhale:
"I knew you'd come... that you wouldn't leave me."
She replied, her voice firmer this time, but without cruelty:
"My being here doesn't mean things will go back to how they were. I'm here because I'm human, because I can't leave someone in pain without helping… even if they are the cause of my pain."
His features contorted, as though her words had pierced his chest directly. He closed his eyes, and a mix of regret and helplessness appeared on his face. After a moment, he whispered:
"I'm sorry, Bella... I didn't mean to be this person. Everything inside me is broken."
She spoke, her tone soft yet firm, carrying just enough tenderness to sound like a thread of hope, but with an unshakable resolve:
"What's inside you is not an excuse, Amori. We don't choose our wounds, but we choose whether or not to hurt others with them. You could have asked for help, you could have fought yourself… but you chose to let me burn silently while throwing everything into my heart."
A silence hung between them, but this time it was different... a silence that felt like an end or the beginning of something else, something unlike before.
Then, she stood up from her chair and walked toward the door, saying without looking back:
"Take care of yourself, Amori… because I won't be here anymore."
And with that, she left, leaving behind a broken man and a world she had decided to leave, not to take revenge… but to survive.
Bella's steps in the hospital corridor were slow and steady, but each one carried the weight of years of pain and hesitation. She didn't cry... her expression was more like a page printed with irreversible decisions.
When she reached the outside, she raised her head to the gray sky, as if she were breathing for the first time after a long submersion. The rain began to fall gently, but she didn't hurry, nor did she try to seek shelter. She let the drops wash her face, as if they were purifying her from the aftermath of what had happened.
Minutes passed until she felt footsteps approaching her from behind. She turned slightly and saw Emily, holding an umbrella, standing without saying a word.
Bella looked at her, a long gaze with no words... then slowly approached her, and without warning, she threw herself into her embrace. A moment of silence gathered them, a moment where only the sound of rain and broken breaths could be heard.
Emily spoke, gently holding her:
"It's over, Bella... everything is over."
Bella responded, her voice trembling:
"No... everything has just begun, Emily... I am living for myself, for the first time."
Emily smiled, then lifted the umbrella over them, and they began walking together, their steps slow... but this time, they were steps toward a new life, a life where Bella was no longer just a shadow behind a man, but a complete woman… who loves, gets hurt, and rises again.
And in her heart, there was a hidden promise:
That the end would be a beginning… but only for her.
Elsewhere
At Bella's apartment
The rain was pouring heavily, hitting the windows of Bella's apartment as if singing a dirge for a story that had ended. The apartment lights were dim, and the sounds of the city in the background faded behind the wall of continuous rain.
In the living room, Bella sat on the sofa, wrapping herself in a light blanket, with her phone in hand as she spoke in a low voice with her lawyer.
Her tone was steady, oddly calm... as if she were talking about something she had grown accustomed to, not about the end of a relationship that had lasted for years.
Bella:
"Yes, I want to expedite the process as much as possible. I have all the evidence, everything needed... I don't want him to come near me again. I want him to know that I've made my decision, and I won't back down."
The other side of the line tried to reassure her with some legal words, but she could barely hear. All she could think about was that the step she had long hesitated to take had now become a reality... there was no turning back.
In the kitchen, Emily moved lightly, as if she knew that silence was better than words now. She was making hot chocolate in her old way, the same way she used to do in college when Bella had a bad day.
She opened the small spice cabinet and took out the cinnamon, then added a little to the mixture, whispering to herself:
"Because Bella doesn't like bitterness much... not in chocolate, and not in life."
When she finished, she poured the chocolate into two cups, then quietly entered the living room, placed one cup in front of Bella, and sat beside her, waiting for her to finish the call without interrupting.
Bella finally ended the call, leaning her back against the sofa, exhaling heavy breaths, as if she had unloaded a burden that had been weighing on her heart for years.
Emily (smiling gently):
"The strong lady, now it's time to rest."
Bella took the cup in her hands, stared at it for a moment, then looked up at Emily and said in a soft but steady voice:
"You know?... I'm no longer afraid. Not of my loneliness, not of people's gazes, not even of tomorrow. Finally... I own myself."
Emily smiled a warm smile, then raised her cup and said:
"Let's drink to this victory, even if it's mixed with tears."
The two cups clinked in silence, while the rain continued to play its tune outside...
But inside, there was a woman starting to write a new chapter in her story, a chapter that belonged to her alone.
The next morning
The next morning, Bella woke up to the sound of rain that hadn't stopped throughout the night. But this morning was different… the rain wasn't frightening, nor was it annoying. It was as if it was washing away the last remnants of the long night from her heart.
She slowly opened her eyes, turned towards the window, and saw the raindrops gently sliding down the glass, while the reflection of the gray sky painted a silent picture above the earth. She hadn't slept deeply, but her body felt a strange kind of comfort… a comfort that comes after a life-changing decision.
She got out of bed, put on a warm cotton robe, and left her room. The apartment was quiet, filled with the scent of cinnamon and chocolate that had lingered since last night.
In the kitchen, she found Emily sitting at the table, sipping coffee and reading from a small notebook. As soon as she noticed Bella, she smiled at her without speaking, as if saying:
"A new morning… a new life."
Bella (as she approached):
"How long has it been?"
Emily:
"Just a few hours… but it feels like a whole century."
Bella smiled and sat opposite her, wrapping her hands around the hot cup of tea Emily had made for her without being asked. She knew what she needed… without words.
Bella:
"For the first time in years, I wake up and don't feel the weight… I'm not waiting for his voice, or thinking about how I'll justify his lies… it's just me. Just me."
Emily:
"And that's the best part of the morning… you own it. You own yourself."
A warm silence passed between them, then Bella said in a light but firm tone:
"Today, I'll start over. I'll rearrange the rooms, write in my journal, maybe even go somewhere far… even if it's just a little café."
Emily (smiling):
"And I'll be with you… on the sidelines, or on the first page, it doesn't matter… just don't go back."
Bella:
"I won't go back."
The rain was still falling, but inside Bella's heart, the sun was rising for the first time in a long while.
This morning wasn't just the beginning of a new day…
It was the beginning of a woman who had finally realized she deserved more than just staying.
A few hours later
When the sun was nearing the horizon, and the sky was still filled with light clouds interspersed with orange threads, Bella decided to go out.
She needed different air, an unfamiliar atmosphere. She wanted to see people, drink her coffee in peace, and observe the faces of strangers… far from the chaos of her thoughts.
The new café wasn't far from her apartment. She had heard about it recently from Emily, who praised its modern décor, the handsome waiters who had become the talk of the neighborhood, and the exquisite desserts it served.
But before she started getting dressed, her phone buzzed on the table. She opened the message, and the name that appeared on the screen… "Amori."
He was writing incomprehensible sentences…
Broken words, sentences filled with delirium:
"Bella… can you hear me? My heart is lost between your hands… the demons are laughing… why are you silent? Who's in your head now?! Who touched you?!"
Her eyes widened. Her heart beat with an old fear that had crept back again.
She deleted the message immediately without responding, then closed her phone for a moment and breathed in quietly.
"I won't go back to that whirlwind… never."
She said it softly to herself, then began to get dressed.
This time, she chose loose clothes that didn't reveal her features:
Wide gray pants, a simple cotton T-shirt, a dark navy hoodie, a hat covering part of her face, and she concealed her features with a black mask.
She wasn't afraid… but she was cautious.
She was trying to build a wall between her heart and the world, a wall of fabric, calm, and indifference.
She left the apartment, closed the door behind her, and began walking steadily toward the new café.
She didn't know what awaited her there…
But it was better than waiting inside walls that breathed memories.
●●●
The street was still damp from the remnants of the rain, and the air carried a soft chill that made the heart feel as if it were on the verge of either being revived or broken… No one knew which would happen first.
Bella arrived at the café. Its entire facade was glass, with warm honey-colored lights dancing on it, emanating from small lamps hanging from the ceiling, designed like stars hanging from a mythical sky. At the entrance, she caught the scent of freshly roasted coffee mixed with vanilla and caramel… a scent that made you forget the outside world.
She entered quietly, chose a table in the corner, close to the window but far from curious eyes. She sat there, removed her mask to feel the warmth of the cup placed in front of her after she ordered "mocha with dark chocolate and a little cinnamon."
The waiter who had served her the drink was a young man, appearing to be in his mid-twenties, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He smiled at her kindly, but Bella didn't lift her gaze much, only offering a small nod of thanks.
She sipped from her cup...
And sighed.
Here, no one knew her. No one asked her painful questions, no familiar faces connected her to an exhausting past.
She took a small notebook from her bag, opened it to a blank page, and began to write:
"A new morning… and a strange café… and I'm trying to learn how to be free without feeling guilty.
Do I deserve this peace? I don't know… but I need it, even if temporarily."
Minutes passed, and the calm enveloped the café like a silk scarf. Bella sank deeper into the moment, until her phone buzzed again — even though she had set it to silent, she felt the faint vibration in her bag.
She hesitated.
Then she opened it.
A new message… from "Amori."
But this time, it wasn't crazy words… it was a picture. A picture of Bella leaving the building less than an hour ago. It was taken from a low angle, as if someone had been watching her.
Her eyes widened.
The air became heavier.
She slowly placed her phone on the table, feeling her heart begin to choke again, and the questions started ringing in her head like rain:
"Is he here? Is he watching me? Did he follow me?"
She raised her eyes slightly, observing the place without drawing attention… Everything seemed normal.
But danger rarely appears obvious.
In that moment… Bella felt something change inside her.
She wasn't just a victim. She wasn't just a woman running away from an obsessed husband.
She was a woman beginning to plan.
She was starting to regain her strength.
And the real battle... was drawing near.
The message she had received brought her back to the same dilemma she had been trying to escape.
She quickly put the mask back on her face, trying to hide her feelings, but her heart was racing unnaturally, as if every beat of her heart was thudding with fear of the unknown. At that moment, her phone vibrated again, and when she looked at the screen, the name she didn't want to see appeared: "Amori."
She opened the message, as if her hands were hesitant to do so, only to be struck by crazy, unsettling words, as if they came from a person who had completely lost their mind. Words full of threats, obsession, as though she wasn't his wife, but something he owned, something he refused to let go.
"You won't escape from me, Bella. Wherever you go, I will be behind you. You can't run. You can't be happy without me."
These words, carrying madness and fear within them, made her feel as if the world was spinning around her quickly, and that there was no safe place for her anymore. It was as if the ceiling was collapsing on her… and her tears began to gather in her eyes involuntarily, turning into an ocean that slowly drowned her.
She felt something heavy in her chest, then stopped breathing for a few seconds, afraid her tears would show in this place full of strangers, so she quickly put her hand on her face and adjusted her mask to cover her eyes completely.
Her heart was beating hard, as if the tears in her eyes were about to explode.
Automatically, Bella rose from her seat, trying to control herself, avoiding being seen in such a state. She longed to escape this place, from the feelings threatening to swallow her.
She looked at the waiter, who was standing a few steps away, and asked him calmly, but with a shaky tone:
"Where is the bathroom?"
The waiter pointed to the far corner of the room. Bella thanked him without looking at him and quickly made her way to the bathroom.
Her steps were hurried, as if she were running away from something chasing her.
She entered the bathroom and shut the door tightly behind her. It was quiet inside, with dim lighting, and there was no one around.
She closed her eyes for a moment and then surrendered to the tears she had been trying to hold back. She sank to the floor, kneeling as if trying to escape from a nightmare that had been chasing her for a long time.
She cried bitterly, as though the tears were the last thing tying her to life. They gathered on her cheeks like a river of pain with no outlet. She tried to breathe, but the air was tight, as though this place had become a prison that brought back all her painful memories.
And in that moment, Bella realized something:
"I can't escape anymore. I must face this now."
As Bella was drowning in her tears, struggling to breathe, she heard a soft, gentle voice cutting through the silence around her. It was a young voice, tender in tone, as if the person was trying to offer her a helping hand without being seen.
"Are you okay?"
At first, the voice was distant, but then it grew closer, as if the person speaking had unexpectedly moved toward her. Her heart raced, and her tears stopped for a moment, as if she had realized something unusual was happening.
She slowly raised her head, her eyes still flooded with tears, and found before her a young man in his early twenties, or perhaps even younger. He had yellowish blond hair and bright green eyes that seemed almost to steal the breath away with their purity.
He was sitting on a small couch in the opposite corner, watching her with concern. His face was marked with confusion, as if he didn't know how to act in this situation. He was wearing the simple uniform of a waiter, but instead of standing behind a counter or tending to customers, he was quietly approaching her, his only concern being to reassure her.
Bella noticed at that moment that this place wasn't actually a bathroom at all, but a staff break room. The door she had entered through led to a different area than she had expected. Confusion and uncertainty mixed in her mind, and she tried to smile despite the pain tightening her heart, trying to appear calmer than she really was.
"I'm sorry... it seems I entered the wrong place," she whispered, unsure of how to explain the situation she was in.
The young man gently shook his head and said kindly, "No need to apologize. We all make mistakes sometimes, and you're not the only one who finds themselves in these kinds of situations." He then stood and took another step toward her, adding softly, "But if you're feeling upset, maybe I can help."
Bella looked at him in surprise, unable to explain what had made him speak to her so kindly. This wasn't the reaction she had expected in such a situation. It felt as though this young man was exactly what her heart needed right now, even though she didn't know him.
"Are you really okay?" he asked again, this time with a deeper tone, as if his eyes were reading everything that was stirring in her heart.
Bella was breathing a bit heavily, trying to compose herself. She sighed slowly and said, "I... I just... needed a moment to understand what's happening."
The young man responded very kindly, smiling with understanding:
"Sometimes we just need time for ourselves, away from all the pressures." He then added, pointing to the comfortable seating on the sofa:
"If you need rest, I can leave you for a while, but I'm here if you need anything."
Bella had no idea why he was being so kind, but at that moment, his voice and presence gave her a small amount of the comfort she had been searching for on this difficult day.
She took a deep breath, trying to pull herself together. At least she had found someone who cared. Maybe that was the help she needed more than anything else.
"Thank you," Bella said weakly, but she meant every word.
"You're welcome," the young man replied with a smile, then quietly returned to his place, leaving her to calm down a little, but he remained watchful, ready to assist if needed.
As Bella tried to stand up, she suddenly felt a strong dizziness enveloping her head, as if everything in the world had begun to slowly disappear. The memories and pain returned suddenly, causing a sharp headache, making it difficult for her to maintain her balance. She felt as though her legs could no longer support her, and her thoughts became tangled. Tears filled her eyes, but she was trying desperately not to show weakness in front of this stranger.
But she didn't fall. The young man, who had been watching her with concern, noticed her sudden movement. Without a second's hesitation, he quickly stood up and gently caught her before her legs buckled under the dizziness. His support was warm, but cautious, trying not to press her any more than necessary.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, steadying her in his arms. There was no urgency in his tone, everything was calm, as if the words were being spoken slowly.
Bella couldn't respond immediately. She felt embarrassed by the situation she had found herself in, as if she had suddenly lost everything. But she couldn't stop herself from feeling something else, something unexpected. His support was like a beam of light in the dark, as if his presence was a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.
Then, slowly, he began to guide her toward the sofa. His steps were calm and strong, making her feel no embarrassment or pressure, as if all his attention was focused solely on her comfort.
When they reached the sofa, he helped her sit gently. Bella felt that her body had relaxed slightly, but her heart was still troubled, and her mind was filled with painful memories. She sat slowly, trying to calm herself, while the young man stood beside her, watching her quietly.
Bella noticed for the first time the significant height difference between them, as he was much taller. It seemed that he was about 193 cm, while she was only 173 cm. The difference became even more apparent when he was supporting her, as she felt slightly tilted toward him, which made her feel a bit strange. His body seemed very strong, and at the same time, Bella realized that she wasn't weak; on the contrary, she had a relatively strong physical build.
But right now, in that moment, she wasn't thinking about anything other than the comfort this young man had provided her. She felt a sense of safety in his presence, something she hadn't felt for a long time. He might just be a passing waiter, but at that moment, he was the one who helped her get through her distress.
"I think I'll be fine now," Bella said finally, trying to smile despite the pain in her heart.
The young man responded with a gentle smile, his gaze showing understanding:
"Don't worry. If you need anything else, I'm here."
To be continue...