Isabella~
"What happened? Why did you apply the car brakes so abruptly?" I gave him a furious glare. Due to his sudden application of the brake, Alan and I narrowly avoided falling onto the car's floor. However, I managed to balance my body weight and prevent Alan's head from colliding with the driver's seat.
"What did you just say, Alan is five years old?" He gave me a suspicious glance, his expression quickly sharpening as realization seemed to dawn.
I immediately realized my mistake, and fear washed over me. Why did I keep giving him reason to doubt me? Now, he would undoubtedly learn the truth. Oh no, I must do something—anything—to keep his suspicions at bay.
"Xavier, why did you insist on driving the car when your entire attention is constantly focused on me? Do you wish for us to be killed in an accident?" I shot back quickly, trying to cover up my slip-up. I immediately opened the door and got out of the car, hoping to shift his focus.
"What are you doing, Bella?" He sounded perplexed, a hint of frustration edging his tone.
"I can drive my car; I don't need your help. Leave." I yelled, my tone sharper than I'd intended, but the fear of his questions made me act brashly.
"But Bella, Alan needs you with him." His gaze flicked to Alan, and I could see genuine concern in his eyes. Yet his questions loomed, his gaze lingering on me with suspicion.
"You don't need to tell me how to take care of my child; I have been taking care of my child for so many years." I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering myself. But do I have the strength to keep lying to him?
"I am sorry; I will drive carefully now." He tried to reassure me, but I waved him away. His insistence only intensified the storm brewing within me.
"No, you must exit the vehicle immediately. I am unwilling to risk my life with you; this may be your latest scheme to exact revenge on me by causing us to perish in a car accident." I was barely holding back, every word meant to push him away before he could see the desperation in my eyes. I knew it was unfair, but I had to shield the truth about Alan at any cost.
"Bella, what are you saying?" His voice was low, pain etched into every word. Could he not know what his deception had done to me?
"Mr. Thompson, if you truly desire our happiness, please leave my life and vow to never see my son again." The harshness of my words struck me too, but it was the only way to push him far enough that he wouldn't continue digging. I knew it would hurt him, but wasn't that better than the truth?
"Okay, Bella, if this is what you want, I will also grant your wish." His response was measured, but I could see how deeply I'd hurt him. He stepped out of the car, walking away with heavy steps, never looking back.
I released a shaky breath, relief mixing with regret. Tears burned my eyes, though I fought to keep them at bay. Even though his questions unsettled me, a part of me wished he would have stayed—long enough to see my side of the story. How long could I keep running from this? I closed my eyes tightly, forcing myself to stay strong,to move forward.
Later, after the doctor's visit, we reached home, and Alan fell asleep without eating dinner. Throughout our meal, Victor was silent, but his gaze on me spoke volumes. His quietness was worse than any words he could have spoken. I knew he sensed something, and guilt crept in for the secrets I had woven between us.
I decided to focus on preparing for the next hearing, though my mind kept circling back to Xavier, his connection with James, and the mystery that seemed to tighten around me like a vise. James—his involvement troubled me deeply. I pushed myself to stay focused on the case, yet questions surrounding Xavier's connection to him wouldn't leave me.
Opening Facebook, I typed James William's name and began scrolling through his profile. To my surprise, his tagged photos revealed a life entwined with Xavier's. Their old pictures from school and law days hinted at a friendship once warm and close. But where did things change?
My thoughts spun wildly. If they were best friends, why hadn't James supported him in Alicia's murder trial? What happened that made James defend Jordan Lucas instead?
As I kept scrolling, Xavier's voice from earlier echoed in my head, "Not everything is as it seems, Bella." I paused, considering the warning, and yet my suspicions of Jordan's motives only grew deeper. Why would Jordan work to create a wedge between us unless there was something he feared in our alliance?
Just as my thoughts spiraled, Victor's voice startled me back to the present.
"So, at midnight, you're checking out your new admirer?" he asked his voice light, but his eyes were tired.
"No, it's not that," I said, quickly closing the laptop screen.
He held out a cup of coffee, his usual playful smirk tempered with a sadness that tugged at my heart.
"Victor, are you okay?" I reached out, resting my hand on his. But he only shook his head, a faint smile on his lips.
"I don't understand, Bella, why love always brings such pain." He sighed, taking a sip from his cup. I felt my chest tighten at his words, understanding all too well.
"Maybe it's a test," I said softly, not wanting to add to his sadness but unable to keep from thinking of Xavier. Was I being tested, too?
"Didn't he look good, Bella?" Victor's voice broke my train of thought as he reopened the laptop, revealing James' profile picture.
"Indeed, he is so handsome," I replied, nodding as I took in James's confident, smiling face. But something in his expression, even in a picture, made me feel uneasy.
"What do you think about dating him? Seems he's already interested in you." Victor's tone was teasing, but his words sent a shiver through me.
"Victor, what are you talking about? I can't date anyone. I'm a mother now." I tried to brush it off, playfully punching him on the shoulder.
"So what? He's attracted to you, and who knows? Maybe you both could be good friends." With a grin, he clicked on the friend request icon before I could stop him.
"Victor, what did you do?" I exclaimed, my eyes wide. But as I looked back at the screen, my surprise only deepened—James had already accepted the request.
"Bella," Victor's voice turned serious as he reached for my hand, "if I could, I'd erase every bitter memory you have with Xavier. I want to see you happy." His sincerity tugged at my heart, the weight of his words like a balm on the constant ache that seemed to shadow me.
"We can't change our past, Victor," I said softly, feeling tears sting my eyes. "But I'm content with you and Alan. Let's just enjoy the moment." But even as I said it, the thought of Xavier lingered, a stubborn reminder that I hadn't truly moved on.
"Don't worry; he won't ever learn the truth," Victor replied, his tone equally pained. But even as I nodded, a chill lingered.
What if that truth was coming closer to the surface?
Before I could object, Victor's fingers tapped a hello to James on my Facebook. I barely had a moment to register the shock before James responded instantly, his message lighting up the screen.