Chapter 104
The sound of cartoons and a tiny voice humming reached Bella before she even stepped into the living room.
Timothy sat cross-legged on the floor, still in his pajamas, his favorite stuffed dinosaur tucked under his arm as he ate cereal from a blue bowl.
Rachel moved around, helping arrange his lunch box. When she noticed Bella, she said lightly, “Someone was too excited to sleep in. He was up before seven, so I got him ready for breakfast p>
Bella smiled softly. “You’re a lifesaver, Rach p>
Rachel grinned. “You say that now—wait till he wants pancakes after this p>
Timothy looked up at the sound of his mother’s voice, his face lighting up instantly. “Mommy p>
Bella couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped her. “Good morning, sweetheart. You’re up early. How are you, my darling p>
He blinked at her, spoon halfway to his mouth. “I’m fine and you look fine and happy today p>
She raised a brow, amused at her little man. “Oh? And how do you know that p>
“Because yesterday you were sad,” he said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You didn’t even sing me any lullaby. It was aunt Rachel that put me to bed. But now he grinned, showing a bit of cereal stuck to his front tooth, “you’re smiling again p>
Bella’s heart warmed, her lips curving despite herself. “You notice everything, don’t you p>
“Uh-huh.” He nodded proudly, then his eyes flicked toward the hallway and before she could say another word, his cereal was forgotten.
“Uncle Jake p>
Jake had just stepped into the living room, still wearing the soft gray T-shirt he’d thrown on, his hair slightly tousled, eyes finding Bella immediately before flicking down to the small boy charging toward him.
Timothy launched himself into Jake’s arms, and Jake instinctively caught him, a surprised laugh rumbling from his chest. “Whoa! Easy there, champ p>
Bella watched them and her heart twisted. Jake lifting Timothy, the way the morning light hit both their faces, and how natural it all looked.
This was everything she’d ever wanted but was too afraid to claim.
Jake smiled as Timothy giggled, wrapping small arms around his neck. “You’re getting heavy, kiddo,” he teased. “What’ve you been eating? Stones p>
“Cereal,” Timothy said proudly. Then he twisted slightly and pointed toward the couch. “Aunt Rachel made it for me while mommy was still sleeping p>
Jake’s smile faltered just slightly. Mommy. Aunt Rachel.
His gaze flicked toward Bella, soft confusion clouding his eyes for the briefest second but he quickly masked it with a faint grin, setting Timothy down gently.
Bella’s breath hitched, the subtle flicker of realization in his expression making her stomach tighten. She could see the faint question forming behind his eyes, one she wasn’t ready to answer.
Rachel looked from Jake to Bella and couldn’t help wondering how it was possible that Jake was in the house that early.
Did he sleep here? She looked at Bella, her brows shooting up. Bella shrugged, telling her to shut up and not say a word.
But Rachel wasn’t going to just shut up especially not after Bella had been crying for him just yesterday. Rachel cleared her throat as she adjusted Timothy’s lunch box and set it into his schoolbag. “Good morning, Jake,” she said finally, her tone casual but her eyes watchful.
Jake gave a small, polite smile. “Morning, Rachel p>
“Didn’t know you were here this early,” she said, tilting her head.
He rubbed the back of his neck lightly. “Yeah, uh… just dropped by p>
Rachel’s brows arched, suspicion flickering in her gaze before she hid it behind a sweet grin. “Right. Dropped by p>
Bella shot her sister a warning look that said stop teasing him.
Rachel bit back a smirk and turned her attention to the little boy finishing his cereal. “Alright, soldier,” she said cheerfully, “time to get ready for school. Go brush your teeth while I pack your snack p>
Timothy nodded, slipping off his seat and running toward his room, the sound of his small feet pattering down the hallway.
Bella exhaled softly, grateful for the brief distraction. “Have you seen Chloe this morning?” she asked Rachel.
Rachel shook her head, reaching for her purse. “Nope. I think she’s still in her room, getting ready. What about you? Are you not going to work?” Rachel asked, looking at Bella.
She turned to Jake before returning her attention back to Rachel. “I will,” Bella said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Well,” Rachel said, straightening up, “I’ll go change and get this little guy ready for school. You two her gaze slid between Jake and Bella, “play nice p>
“Rachel,” Bella muttered in warning.
Rachel only grinned as she disappeared down the hallway, her laughter trailing faintly behind.
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Bella turned back toward Jake, who stood near the window, his hands tucked into his pockets, gaze distant.
“Shouldn’t you be going home to get ready for work?” she asked softly.
Jake blinked, as though her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. “Well I’m not going to work today p>
Her brows furrowed. “You’re not p>
He shook his head. “No. I just… need some time. Everything I found out is a lot.” His voice dropped, quiet but weighted. “Although I understand better now, but it doesn’t mean I know how to handle it. I’m still trying to figure everything out p>
Bella nodded slowly, her chest tightening. “I understand,” she said gently. “Take all the time you need p>
He looked at her then, his gaze warm but shadowed. “You should too p>
“What p>
“You should take time off,” he said quietly. “You need it more than I do. After everything I put you through His words trailed off, regret thick in the space between them.
Bella’s lips parted, a soft ache forming in her throat. “I’m fine, Jake p>
He studied her, as though he didn’t quite believe it, then gave a small nod. “If you say so p>
The faintest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’ll see you later, then p>
“Yeah,” she murmured. “Later p>
Jake turned and walked toward the door. She watched him leave, the soft click of the door echoing louder than it should have.
And as silence settled once more, Bella pressed a hand to her chest where guilt, longing, and something dangerously close to hope all fought for space.
She needed to tell him about Timothy and set herself free but was the timing right?
Bella made her way down the hall toward Chloe’s room, still replaying every word Jake had said before leaving. Her heart was a storm. Soft and heavy all at once. She needed air, maybe a distraction, maybe… Chloe.
She paused by the half-open door and knocked lightly. “Chloe? You up p>
“Come in!” came Chloe’s cheerful voice.
Bella stepped in to find her best friend standing by the mirror, styling her locs, her towel draped over one shoulder.
Chloe caught Bella’s reflection in the mirror and smirked. “Morning, sunshine p>
Bella smiled faintly. “Morning p>
Chloe turned to face her fully, one brow arched. “So… has Jake left p>
Bella nodded. “Yeah. He just left p>
Chloe grinned knowingly, setting the brush down. “Judging by that glow on your face, I’d say things between you two have been… resolved p>
Bella rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. “We talked, yes. And… we did resolve things.” She exhaled softly, sitting on the edge of Chloe’s bed. “It was Raymond. He set Jake up p>
Chloe didn’t look surprised. She simply crossed her arms and sighed.
Bella frowned. “Wait, you’re not shocked p>
Chloe shook her head. “No. Damian and I actually talked about it yesterday. He said he suspected Raymond might be behind everything p>
Bella blinked. “You two talked about it p>
“Yeah,” Chloe said, leaning against the dresser. “He thought it was odd, the way Jake said he didn’t remember anything after having a glass with Raymond. It’s just… saddening, you know? To think he’d go this far. Like hurting a woman he claimed to love just to get her from his brother p>
Bella nodded slowly, her expression darkening. “Sadly, it’s not just that. He also did it to get back at Jake. For something that happened seven years ago p>
Chloe’s eyes widened a little. “You’re kidding. I never would’ve thought Raymond was capable of something like that.” Fınd the newest release on.net
“Neither did I,” Bella murmured. Then, as the silence lingered, her lips curved into a small, teasing grin. “So, you and Damian are already discussing Jake and me now, huh? I thought you both were enemies being forced to work together p>
Chloe’s head snapped up. “What? No! It’s not what you think at all!” She waved a hand defensively. “Damian just overheard Jake when he came to talk to me in my office, that’s all. He overheard and there was no way I’d tell him to kind his business when he was saying something that made sense p>
Bella raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin widening. “I didn’t say anything, Chloe. I just stated my observation. But I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you come telling me you and Damian are dating p>
Chloe’s jaw dropped, then she laughed and grabbed the nearest pillow, hurling it straight at Bella. “Bella p>
Bella caught it midair, laughing as she tossed it back. “I’ll take that as a yes p>
“Get out!” Chloe said between laughs, throwing another pillow.
Bella stood, chuckling as she dodged it. “Alright, alright! I’ll leave. I’ll let you finish getting ready before you end up late and say I made you go late just because I’m staying back p>
Chloe shook her head, still smiling. “You’re lucky I have to go to work, or I’d drag you into a pillow fight right now p>
“Uh-huh, sure.” Bella winked as she reached the door. “Don’t be late, Miss Designer p>
Chloe rolled her eyes fondly. “Bye, Bella p>
“Bye,” Bella said softly, closing the door behind her.
For a moment, the room fell quiet. Chloe glanced at her reflection in the mirror again, her smile returning as her gaze drifted to her phone on the dresser.
Damian has sent her a text that morning and though she didn’t mean to, she’d read the text over a million times.
Chloe’s smile deepened as she picked up the phone, her fingers brushing over the screen as she read it again.
[Good morning, beautiful. How are you, today? Just checking in. Hope you and your friend are okay. See you later p>
“He’s such a nice person,” she murmured under her breath, shaking her head with a tiny smile. “Yet he pretends to be cold p>
She said to herself, her heart fluttered despite herself.