Chapter 112
Moments later, Bella tucked Rachel’s blanket gently around her shoulders, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her tear-stained face. Her sister’s breathing had finally evened out, exhaustion pulling her under after hours of crying. Bella stood there for a moment longer, her chest tightening at the sight.
Rachel looked small, fragile, even. Whatever had happened between her and Mr. Camden had shaken her deeply, and Bella couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it than just concern for an employer. She sighed softly, whispering, “You’ll be okay, Rach,” before slipping quietly out of the room.
Outside, the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the apartment floor. Bella checked the time—it was almost three. Timothy would be getting out of school soon. She grabbed her purse and phone, still thinking of her sister.
Rachel’s emotions were raw, tangled with something even she didn’t understand. Bella could see it in her eyes—the pain of someone who’d lost more than just a job.
“Maybe she just needs rest,” Bella muttered to herself as she headed out. “Tomorrow will be clearer p>
The warm air hit her as she stepped outside. She waved down a cab and gave the driver Timothy’s school address, settling into the seat as the city blurred past her window.
By the time the car pulled up in front of the school gates, parents were already gathering, chatting in small groups as they waited for their kids. Bella got out, straightening her blouse, and that was when her heart skipped a beat because standing by the gate, talking to one of the teachers, was Jake.
Her heart skipped. “What on earth p>
“Jake?” she called as she walked up to him, confusion etched across her face. “What are you doing here? How did you even know Timothy’s school p>
Jake turned, his expression softening into that familiar half-smile that always managed to disarm her. “Hey,” he said casually. “I, uh, asked the little champ this morning before I left your place. Thought I’d surprise him p>
Bella blinked, caught between amusement and disbelief. “You asked him p>
“Yeah.” Jake rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly sheepish. “Didn’t think you’d mind p>
Bella’s lips curved into a laugh, shaking her head. “Nice one, Mr. Stones. You’re full of surprises p>
“Trying to make up for being bad at goodbyes. I didn’t tell him a goodbye,” he teased.
Before she could respond, the bell rang, and moments later, Timothy came running out with his backpack bouncing behind him. His eyes lit up when he saw them both.
“Mummy! Jake!” he cried, his little legs moving faster as he barreled into Bella’s arms first and then turned to Jake.
Jake crouched down, grinning wide. “Hey, champ! You look like you had a big day p>
Timothy nodded eagerly, his eyes shining. “I did! But why didn’t Aunt Rachel come today p>
Bella’s smile faltered slightly. “There was no need for Rachel to come today, sweetheart,” she said lightly. “Mummy didn’t go to work, so I thought I’d come get you myself p>
Timothy gasped, delighted. “Really? Then Mummy, you shouldn’t go to work anymore p>
Jake chuckled, amused. “And why’s that, buddy p>
“So that you and Mummy can come and pick me up every day,” Timothy said with complete seriousness, his small hands gesturing for emphasis. “Then my friends won’t bully me again. They’ll think I have a daddy now p>
The words hit like a quiet blow.
Bella froze. Her laughter died on her lips as she turned sharply to her son. “What did you just say p>
After the last time, she hadn’t thought they’d still bully him or embarrass him about not having a father.
Timothy blinked up innocently. “Because they always laugh at me and say I don’t have a daddy. But if they see you, Jake, they’ll stop.” Newest update provıded by.net
Jake’s smile vanished. His jaw clenched, his brows drawing together in a sudden storm of emotion, anger, protectiveness, disbelief, all at once. “They what p>
Bella quickly tried to calm him. “Jake, it’s fine. You know kids can be cruel sometimes, but it’s not p>
“No, it’s not fine,” Jake cut in, his tone sharp enough to make her flinch. “He’s a child, Bella. He shouldn’t be going through that.” His eyes turned to Timothy, who was watching them both with confusion. “Who said that to you, champ p>
Timothy hesitated, glancing at his mother. Bella sighed softly and gave a small nod.
“Tell him,” she said gently.
Timothy looked down, murmuring the names of two boys from his class. Jake straightened, fury burning quietly behind his calm expression. “This isn’t right. I’m going to talk to the school about this p>
Bella reached for his arm. “Jake, you don’t need to p>
“I do,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “This kind of thing leaves scars, Bella. No kid deserves that p>
Before she could stop him, Jake was already walking toward the administrative building. Bella followed reluctantly, holding Timothy’s hand. Inside, the staff recognized Jake immediately—Jake Stones, CEO of StoneTech, standing in their modest school hallway.
The headmistress appeared flustered, offering polite smiles. “Mr. Stones, what an honor, sir. What brings you p>
Jake didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “One of your pupils is being bullied for not having a father,” he said, voice calm but cold. “I expect that to stop. Immediately p>
The woman blinked, startled by his tone. “Oh, of course! We… we had no idea p>
“You do now,” Jake said. “And I expect you to talk to the parents of the boys involved. No child deserves to feel lesser because of something beyond their control p>
Bella wanted to melt into the floor. She admired his protectiveness but right now, the attention was dangerous. Too many eyes. Too many whispers.
The headmistress nodded vigorously, assuring him they would handle the matter immediately. Timothy, sensing the tension, stayed quiet, clutching Bella’s hand tightly.
When they stepped outside, Jake’s jaw was still tight. Bella glanced at him and said softly, “You didn’t have to do that p>
He looked at her, his expression softening just slightly. “Yes, I did. Someone has to stand up for him p>
Bella’s heart squeezed. She wanted to tell him everything right there, that Timothy wasn’t just some random boy, that he was his. But her lips trembled, and fear won again. Instead, she only nodded.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Jake gave her a small smile, though something in his eyes lingered, a silent question he didn’t voice.
As they reached the car, Timothy happily skipped ahead of them. “Jake!” he said cheerfully. “Can we get ice cream before we go home p>
Jake chuckled, his earlier tension easing. “Only if your mum says yes p>
Bella pretended to think about it. “Hmm… maybe just one scoop p>
“Yay!” Timothy squealed.
Across town, a woman’s phone rang sharply on a glass coffee table. Helena glanced down, irritation flickering across her perfectly made-up face as she saw the caller ID.
“Gloria?” she said as she answered.
“Helena, darling!” came the voice, bright and nosy. “You won’t believe what I just saw p>
Helena’s brows rose. “This had better be worth interrupting me for, Gloria p>
“Oh, it is,” Gloria said gleefully. “You know that man you said you were getting married to? The CEO of StoneTech, Jake Stones p>
Helena’s voice went cold and a frown immediately appeared on her face as she wondered why Gloria wanted to talk about Jake. “What about him p>
“Well,” Gloria said, dragging out the suspense. “I just saw him picking up a little boy from St. Mary’s Elementary. With a woman. Pretty one, too p>
“Why are you telling me that? He’s probably just helping her out,” Helena cut in, irritated.
“Helping out? I don’t think so. The woman is none other that Isabella. She’s the boys mother, and it might interest you to know she’s a single mother too p>
The silence that followed was sharp enough to cut through glass.
Was it the same person from the playground three days ago?
Helena’s fingers tightened around her phone. “You’re sure about that p>
“Positive,” Gloria said. “Everyone at the gate was whispering. You know what? How about I send you a picture so you get to see it yourself?” Gloria asked with a smirk.
“Alright. I’ll be waiting,” Helena said before hanging up as she waited for Gloria to send the pictures.
She hoped it wasn’t that secretary of his in any way. Why was he so interested in the ladies’ child anyway? She mused and then frowned when it occured to her that the boy’s mother could be trying to get Jake to like the child so he could claim him as his.
Her thoughts were cut short when it beeped with a text, followed by a call.
“I’ve sent it,” Gloria said, immediately after Helena received the call.
“Thank you, Gloria,” she said sweetly. “You’ve been very helpful p>
The call ended with a click, and she checked the photos. For a long moment, Helena sat still, her reflection cold in the mirror across from her. Then she stood, her movements slow and deliberate.
She wouldn’t just sit and watch this secretary snatch Jake from her with her stupid child. She should go look for a father elsewhere with her son. Helena thought, already thinking of ways to get rid of Bella and Timothy.
She needed to do something because someone like her definitely couldn’t lose to someone like Bella.