Bella's POV:
The sun dipped below the New York skyline, painting the cityscape in hues of amber and crimson. The reflection glimmered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Bella's modest yet stylish apartment, casting a warm glow over the scattered designs, fabric swatches, and sketches that covered every inch of her worktable. This was her sanctuary—an oasis where she could drown out the noise of the past and immerse herself in her art. Yet, even here, memories of Ethan Carter lingered like a shadow she couldn't shake.
Five years. It had been five long years since she'd last seen him, since she'd fled with a broken heart and a secret that had grown into two beautiful, mischievous children. Aiden and Aria—her little miracles. The twins were the embodiment of her greatest joy and deepest regret. They had Ethan's piercing blue eyes and her fiery spirit, a constant reminder of the love she'd lost and the betrayal she could never forget.
Bella sighed deeply, fingers brushing over a sketch of a gown with intricate lacework. Her best friend, Carmen, had often accused her of pouring her emotions into her designs, and tonight was no different. The dress was breathtaking—romantic yet melancholic, layers of silk and lace draped like a soft embrace, whispering of love lost and found.
"Mami! Mami!" Aria's voice, high-pitched and commanding, pierced through her reverie. Bella blinked, pulling herself from her thoughts as her daughter barreled into the room, curls bouncing wildly.
"Look what I made!" Aria waved a colorful drawing in her tiny hands, the crayon strokes chaotic yet adorable. Stick figures with exaggerated features stood beneath a lopsided sun. Two smaller figures were labeled "Aria" and "Aiden," while a tall, handsome figure with impossibly blue eyes was scrawled beside a woman with long hair. The man's figure had "Daddy?" written above it.
Bella's breath caught, her heart pounding against her ribs. She forced a smile, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Wow, princesa, that's beautiful."
"Why don't we have a daddy?" Aria asked, lips pursed in an all-too-serious expression. Aiden joined them, his inquisitive gaze searching Bella's face. He was quieter than his sister but just as perceptive.
Bella crouched, pulling them both into a tight embrace. "You have me, Carmen, and so many people who love you."
"But Mami," Aiden's voice was soft but insistent, "what if he's out there?"
Her throat tightened. "Maybe one day," she whispered, but the uncertainty gnawed at her. The past was a wound she never allowed to heal—how could she tell them the truth?
Later that evening, Carmen arrived, sweeping in like a whirlwind. "Ready for the show, fashion queen?" she teased, eyeing Bella's disheveled state. "It's your big night, girl. You can't go looking like a lovesick mess!"
Bella scowled. "I'm not a lovesick mess. Just...busy."
"Uh-huh. And I'm the Queen of England. Now, march!" Carmen shoved her toward the bedroom, where a stunning, deep-red gown awaited.
As she slipped into the dress, Bella's reflection stared back, a vision of confidence and poise, but the shadows in her eyes betrayed her. She couldn't help but wonder what Ethan would think if he saw her now. Would he see the woman who had survived heartache and betrayal? Or just the girl who had run away, too scared to face the truth?
Hours later, at the glamorous venue of Bella's fashion show, she was a vision of success. Cameras flashed, voices buzzed, and the collection she'd poured her soul into received standing ovations. Yet, as the crowd cheered, a familiar, piercing gaze captured her from across the room. Ice-blue eyes burned into hers, intense and unyielding.
Ethan Carter stood amidst the applause, powerful and devastatingly handsome. Bella's heart skipped a beat, panic surging as memories crashed over her.
Ethan's POV:
She was here. After all these years, Bella stood before him—more breathtaking than he remembered. Anger and longing warred within him. The woman who had vanished without a trace, shattering his heart and leaving behind unanswered questions, now stood a picture of elegance and grace.
He couldn't look away, not when the fire in her eyes ignited something dormant in his soul. She had always been a force of nature, but tonight, she was untouchable—yet the emotions swirling within her gaze betrayed her.
Ethan clenched his fists, jaw tightening. He'd come to New York for a business deal, not to confront the ghost of his past. But fate had other plans.
As the show ended, he intercepted her, stepping into her path. The room buzzed around them, but only she mattered.
"Bella," he murmured, the name like a prayer.
Her eyes widened, lips parting as fear and defiance flickered across her face.
"Ethan," she whispered, and everything he'd bottled up for years—anger, regret, desire—surged to the surface.
To be continued...