Chapter 117
Bella went quiet for a moment, her eyes softening as she reached out and touched Chloe’s hand. “If that’s what he said then don’t you think he’s right?” she said gently. “We both know you wouldn’t give up your job, Chloe. You’ve worked too hard for it p>
“I know,” Chloe whispered. “I get why he did it. But the way he just… cut me off, Bella. Like it was nothing. Like I’d been the one chasing him, like I’d imagined everything in my head. He didn’t even feel torn or something p>
Her voice broke. She bit her lip, trying to hold herself together, but a tear escaped anyway, rolling down her cheek.
Bella squeezed her hand, her tone tender. “Hey. Look at me,” Bella said, and Chloe did, trying not to cry.
“He might have handled it wrong,” Bella said softly. “But I don’t think he doesn’t care. Although I don’t exactly know him but I think men like Damian act like they have everything figured out, but they don’t know how to handle emotions without breaking something first p>
A small, broken laugh escaped Chloe. “So, he choose to break me instead of looking for a way to handle things. I know there wasn’t much of a choice since I wouldn’t want him to leave his work or get transfered again—he was just transferred here— but at least, he could’ve shown that he had a hard time coming to this conclusion. We’ve not even kissed or anything and here I am, feeling this way. He broke me with those words, Bell p>
Bella’s heart ached as she watched her friend talk about her emotions. “No. He bruised you, yes. But you’re stronger than he realizes. And he’ll know that soon enough p>
Chloe nodded faintly, blinking away fresh tears. “It just hurts, you know? I thought he actually liked me p>
Bella gave her a soft, motherly smile. “I think he still does. Maybe too much. Maybe that’s why he’s scared you’d actually choose your work over him if he came and told you how he felt p>
“Can a man like Damian ever get scared?” Chloe asked, sniffling.
“When you’re the woman involved?” Bella chuckled softly. “He’d be a fool if he’s not scared. Have you seen how fierce, bold and brave you are?” Latest content publıshed on.net
“It can’t be that scary,” Chloe said with a playful scowl, feeling lighter now.
“It’s not. It’s beautiful, Chloe and I want you to know that you’re still you, strong, brave, and more talented than anyone in that department, including Damian. Whatever happened or didn’t happen with Damian doesn’t change that p>
Chloe let out a shaky laugh, brushing at her eyes. “You always know what to say p>
“That’s because I’ve practiced,” Bella teased lightly, bumping her shoulder against Chloe’s. “You’ve spent years doing the same for me p>
That earned a faint smile from Chloe. “I guess we’re even now p>
“Not even close,” Bella said softly. “Next time something hurts, tell me right away. I don’t want to be the last to know, Chloe. Promise me you won’t leave me second guessing how you feel in the face of issues. Don’t ever tune me out, okay p>
Chloe hesitated, then nodded, her voice small. “I promise I won’t p>
If she were being sincere then she’d have to agree that it wasn’t entirely bad, talking to Bella about it. Now she wasn’t feeling as bad as she’d been feeling earlier.
And she was sure now she could face him without feeling so much hurt. ’Talking is indeed good,’ Chloe told herself.
“Good,” Bella said, glad she had at least done something for Chloe.
The silence that followed was gentle this time. It was not heavy, neither was it cold. It was just warm, like the quiet after rain.
After a while, Chloe exhaled shakily and asked, “So, about Rachel… why exactly was she crying if Mr. Camden’s fine p>
Bella looked thoughtful. “Because Sandra fired her. She’s worried she won’t see Mr. Camden or care for him again. I tried to tell her not to overthink, but she wouldn’t even listen p>
Chloe frowned. “Sandra fired her? Then it shouldn’t affect her that much, right? Especially after all the hard time Mr. Camden gave her. She should actually be feeling free p>
“That’s what I thought too,” Bella admitted. “But she was crying like someone ripped her heart out. I think she likes working there and doesn’t want to leave on bad terms p>
A slow smile tugged at Chloe’s lips. “Or maybe,” she said teasingly, “He’s the one Rachel likes p>
Bella blinked. “What? That can’t happen. Definitely not p>
Chloe chuckled and then shrugged. “If you ask me though, I really think she likes him. I mean, think of how eager she is always about work and then Timothy saying she smiles more with Mr Camden around. You can’t cancel that possibility p>
Neither of them noticed Rachel standing by the hallway looking pale, her face still damp from tears. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but Chloe’s words echoed right through her chest.
Like him?
She swallowed hard, realizing, maybe for the first time, that the ache she’d felt when Sandra fired her wasn’t just about losing a job or that she’d left on bad terms. It was about losing him. About not ever getting to see him or have him call her name.
How was he? What was he doing?
She shook her head. She shouldn’t be thinking about him. Not when there was a possibility she was in love with him like Chloe has implied.
How could she have fallen for him? He wasn’t young and worst of all? He was sick Ang going to die in what? Three or two years—if he had that much time.
What was she supposed to do? She’d been feeling bad and hurt about being fired that way but right now, she was feeling breathless.
Was this why Sandra had been again her being close to Henry? Had she noticed all that right from the start? How could she let herself fall for him?
She was supposed to just be his caregiver not his lover. Since when did she cross the lines between work and emotions?
She’d heard how startled Bella had been hearing Chloe suggest something like that but what would Bella say if she knew it was the truth? Would she be disappointed? What was she supposed to do now?
Perhaps staying away was what she needed and never knew. Yes, she’d accept this fate of hers and just stay away from him. Only then would this feeling go away. This feeling of helplessness, of emptiness and this longing to see and hear from him, have him defend her again. Only by staying away would it go away.
She was still there, lost in her thoughts when her phone buzzed in her hand, the sound breaking the quiet.
Both Bella and Chloe who never knew Rachel has been there all along turned toward her and Rachel froze, realizing she’d been caught.
Why did the phone had to buzz at that time? What would she say now? What if Bella asks her? What was she supposed to say? Tell her that indeed she was in love with someone old enough to be her grandfather?
“Rach,” Bella said, rising. “You okay p>
Rachel blinked rapidly, trying to gather herself. She saw the look in Bella’s eyes and immediately told herself she couldn’t let Bella know the truth.
She cleared her throat nervously, while pretending she’d just arrived there. “Yeah, I was just… coming to get some water.” Rachel turned to Chloe. “I didn’t know you were back. Welcome p>
“Yeah, thank you. I got back a while ago,” Chloe said, and Rachel nodded awkwardly.
She hurried past them into the kitchen. Her hands trembled as she set her phone on the counter, breathing shakily before finally unlocking it.
Despite the discovery out there, Rachel couldn’t helping wishing… not just wishing, she desperately prayed it might be Henry texting her. Maybe he wanted to see her and tell her he never approved of what Sandra did. Maybe he’d asked Sandra to bring her back. Anything, as long as it was from Henry.
But when she saw the message, her heart dropped. It wasn’t Henry. It was a news alert.
Her eyes widened as she read it.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, her pulse quickening, her mind forgetting all about her pain.
Without thinking, she ran back into the living room, the phone still in her hand. “Bella,” she gasped, her voice shaking. “You’re in the news p>
Bella blinked, startled. “What p>
What news? How could she be in the news? Bella wondered with a frown.
Rachel’s voice trembled as she showed her the screen. “Not just you. But you and Timothy p>
“What?” Both Chloe and Bella echoed in unison.
Immediately, Bella grabbed the phone and read through the article.
She shook her head as she read through.
This can’t be happening. No. Who did this? Who could’ve known? And what about Jake? Had he seen this?