Chapter 122 A Touch of Warmth
Sterling shook his head and laughed in the car. So this was Bella when she was happy— a bit shy like a little girl and just plain adorable. He wished she could stay like this forever.
He remembered what Bella said last night; she was willing to stay at Windsor Villa for the rest of her life and never leave.
Thinking about it, Sterling's mood lifted. He thought, 'If only Bella could always be like this.'
When Bella got back to the office, her colleagues were shocked. They wondered where she'd been for the past two months since she hadn't shown up for work. They thought she had quit.
Especially Micah, who was surprised when he saw Bella and asked, "Why are you back at work?"
Bella replied, "What? Did you fire me?"
Micah laughed, "No, but did Sterling agree to you coming back? If something happens to you, I'm afraid he'll come after me."
Bella, with a straight face, said, "Don't worry, he won't kill you. He agreed. He even dropped me off at the company himself."
Micah was still uneasy and said, "Alright, I'll give Sterling a call. Don't start working just yet."
Bella rolled her eyes and, ignoring Micah, went to her desk. No one gave her any work all morning, but she took the initiative and got a lot done.
Micah was anxious. How did Bella suddenly become so cheerful after being sick?
At noon, when Zoey came to bring Bella lunch, Bella felt really embarrassed. It was like a parent bringing lunch to their kid.
Bella felt a bit ashamed and immediately pulled Zoey to the restaurant downstairs. She said, "Zoey, don't bring me lunch next time. It feels like I can't take care of myself."
Zoey laughed and said, "Mrs. Windsor, dig in and see if you like it."
Actually, it was Sterling who called home at noon and insisted that Zoey bring lunch to Bella.
Bella said, "It feels like you all treat me like a child. Sterling does, and so do you, but I'm already an adult."
Zoey looked at Bella with a loving expression, "Mrs. Windsor will always be like a child in my mind."
Bella had a very happy and fulfilling day. She thought this feeling would last until she got off work, but as soon as she stepped out of the company, she ran into an unexpected guest, Amara.
"What are you doing here?" Bella frowned as she saw Amara blocking her way.
Amara's face was pale, her eyes red and lifeless, and she looked very haggard. Bella could hardly believe that the woman in front of her was the once proud Amara.
Amara said dejectedly, "I'm waiting for you."
Bella frowned even more and said, "Waiting for me for what?"
Amara said, "I saw Sterling drop you off at work this morning. You seem to be enjoying your life as Sterling's wife, but James broke off our engagement because of you."
Amara became agitated, and she looked at Bella with resentment, as if Bella had broken up her and James.
Bella felt a moment of panic but quickly pushed it aside, responding with calm indifference, "Ms. Gray, James breaking off the engagement has nothing to do with me. Don't drag me into your issues."
She didn't want to get involved in their drama, so she added, "James has his own reasons, which I can't control. Don't use me as an excuse."
Amara felt a sharp pain in her heart hearing Bella's words. Bella seemed to be thriving with Sterling, while James was still fixated on her, breaking off the engagement because of it. Tears welled up in Amara's eyes.
Bella noticed the tears but said, "Ms. Gray, if you have nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
Amara blocked her and said, "Did you know James had a car accident?"
Bella nodded, "I know."
"Then why didn't you go see him?" Amara asked coldly.
Bella found it a bit funny, "Why should I? He's just a friend. Whether I visit him or not is up to me, not you."
Amara knew she was being excessive but couldn't help herself, "James has been waiting for you. Don't you feel guilty?"
Bella didn't respond. She wanted to see James but knew Sterling would be mad if he found out. It was better not to go.
Amara, unaware of this, said, "Bella, you're so heartless. He likes you so much, yet you're so cold to him."
Bella stayed silent, letting Amara vent.
Amara asked, "Is there really no chance between you and James?"
Bella found the question odd. Didn't Amara like James? Why was she asking this?
Suddenly, Sterling's voice came from behind Bella, "Ms. Gray, if you keep harassing my wife, I won't mind sending you to the hospital to keep James company."
Amara looked up, frightened by Sterling's imposing manner.
Sterling, with a cold expression, pulled Bella over and said, "Let's go home."
Neither Sterling nor Bella spoke as they got into the car.
Amara watched them leave, unable to hold back her tears. She whispered, "James, did you see that? The woman you longed for, the one you broke off our engagement for, is now someone else's wife. James, you'll never have a chance again, and neither will I, right?"
Her words seemed meant for herself.
Bella watched Amara crouch by the roadside, probably crying. Sterling suddenly said, "Do you feel sorry for James? Or do you want to comfort his ex-fiancée?"
Bella heard the jealousy in Sterling's tone and smiled, "Why should you care if I comfort my ex-boyfriend's fiancée when you still keep a photo of your first love in your wallet? We're the same."
Sterling laughed and said, "Bella, are you really that petty?"
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