Chapter 230 More Than Family
Sterling continued, "I scared them pretty good, so they should be quiet for a while. Bella can take a break too. By the way, how's the preparation going in Oakridge?"
Colin nodded, "Don't worry, everything is progressing steadily. He won't suspect a thing. But recently, the police hinted that someone is distributing large quantities of goods in Harborvale, and it's all ending up in the Rivera family's territory."
Thinking about this gave Colin a headache. He had already shut down several of the Rivera family's territories because of it.
Micah was also surprised, "So bold? Looks like Caleb isn't trying to hide at all. He'll probably contact you soon."
Sterling snorted and downed his drink, "Even if he doesn't come to see me, I should go see him."
Sterling thought for a moment and asked, "Has he been bothering Anna lately?"
Colin kept a close watch on Anna every day, so Caleb had no chance to harass her.
"There's a party tomorrow night. We should go see him," Sterling added.
Colin's eyes darkened, "I won't let him hurt Anna. If he dares to make a move on her, I'll make him understand what real pain is."
Micah teased, "You say you don't like Anna? Looks to me like you really do."
Colin smiled and didn't deny it.
Ever since the Windsor family's relatives caused a scene at their house, Bella's sleep quality had worsened. She couldn't sleep until Sterling came home every night.
Bella admitted that the incident had left her with a shadow.
Tonight, Bella hadn't slept because Sterling hadn't come home yet. When the clock struck ten, Sterling finally returned.
Sterling entered the room and saw Bella was awake.
"Did I wake you? Go back to sleep, don't mind me," Sterling said, putting down his clothes and sitting by the bed.
But Bella hadn't been sleeping. She shook her head and asked softly, "Is it because the company's issues aren't resolved? Are the Windsor family people still giving you trouble?"
It had been a week since the incident, and she didn't know if Sterling had resolved it.
Sterling smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry, it's nothing. Don't you trust me with the company's matters? Handling those people is a piece of cake for me."
Sterling didn't want to bother Bella with these issues and said, "You just rest well. When we go to Oakridge, there's a boat you like. I'll take you for a ride."
Bella couldn't help but laugh, "Talking about boats in the middle of the night? Go wash up and get some sleep."
Sterling laughed too, helped Bella lie down, kissed her forehead, and said, "You sleep first, I'll sleep in the guest room."
As Sterling stood up, Bella grabbed his hand from behind. Sterling turned back, puzzled.
Bella stammered, "Just sleep here."
Since Bella came home from the hospital, Sterling had been sleeping in the guest room. He would check on her every night and then go to the guest room.
Sterling was afraid of disturbing Bella's rest and also afraid of making mistakes. He had little self-control when it came to Bella.
Sterling said gently, "No need, I'll sleep in the guest room."
Bella insisted, "The guest room pillow is uncomfortable, and it's just sleeping. What else do you want to do?"
Sterling was speechless. Of course, he wanted to do more, but he thought for a moment and said, "Are you sure? You want me to sleep here?"
Bella felt sorry for him, seeing how exhausted he was from dealing with company and family matters.
"Sleep here," Bella said.
Sterling didn't argue.
After he finished washing up and lay down on the bed, Bella suddenly said, "The Windsor family relatives know I can't have children. They'll use endless means to deal with you and the Windsor Group."
Sterling suddenly turned over, pressing Bella beneath him, covering her mouth to stop her from saying anything further.
"Bella, I don't want to discuss this in the middle of the night. If you want to talk about divorce, then shut up."
Sterling turned his back to Bella. She knew he was angry. She wasn't trying to talk about divorce.
Bella saw all that Sterling had done for her. He had fought against the Windsor family and offended his relatives for her. Even a hard heart would melt.
In the dark, Bella's tears fell.
"Sterling, you misunderstood. I wasn't talking about divorce. I wanted to tell you that if you've decided you can't live without me, I won't let you face it alone. I'll stand by your side, as long as you don't regret it."
After Bella spoke, she also turned her back to Sterling. They didn't speak for a long time.
Bella might have fallen asleep when Sterling softly said, "Bella, I don't regret it."
There were few things Sterling regretted, but he had many regrets about Bella.
He regretted not believing Bella and James were innocent, not protecting their first child, and using the child's death to hurt her.
So many things. Every time he thought of one, it pained him.
But he wasn't one to explain himself. He kept too much inside, thinking Bella would understand one day.
Yet he didn't realize that some things, if not spoken, would never be known.
Bella knew they had missed too much. Now they were tormenting each other, not knowing when they would truly be together.
Bella thought her second pregnancy was a miracle, but now it seemed everything was stagnating again.
The car accident made her realize Sterling's importance. More than family, he was a lover, someone she cherished.
That night, they tossed and turned, silent but at peace.
The next day, Bella learned Sterling was going to a party and begged him to take her.
Sterling didn't want to agree because he wasn't going to the party for fun.
But Bella insisted, so he agreed.
Anna was also going. Colin had informed her three days ago.
Anna never did anything for free, so when she saw "paid work" from Colin, she agreed.
Colin knew she liked money, so he could only use money to entice her to accompany him to the banquet.
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