Chapter 31 The Mistress' Provocative Visit
Mira looked at Bella, tears streaming down her face. She felt a ton of guilt for ditching Bella.
"I know you hate me. I bailed when you needed me most. I don't deserve to be your mom, but please, believe me, I've been drowning in guilt all these years. When I saw you marry Sterling, I was happy for you. At least your life seems to be going okay," Mira said, reaching for Bella's hand, but Bella yanked it away.
"I told you, you don't deserve to be my mom. And did you come here just to cry?" Bella crossed her arms and sneered, not buying Mira's guilt trip for a second.
Mira bit her lip and lowered her voice. "I know you hate me. But your sister Debra is innocent. She got close to Sterling because she had no choice. Her dad's company is in deep trouble, and only Sterling can help them."
Bella finally got why Debra was all over Sterling. It was all part of some plan.
"Judging by Debra's age, you must've been pregnant with her before you and my dad split, right? Debra's just like you, always messing with other people's marriages." Bella sneered as she walked past Mira, spotting a familiar car on the street.
Mira tried to grab Bella again, but Bella shook her off.
Mira wanted to chase after her, but then she saw the car parked by the road. The window rolled down, revealing Sterling's face.
Bella walked to the car, opened the door, and got in. The driver, Ryan, started the car, and an awkward silence filled the vehicle.
"Got anything to say to me?" Sterling suddenly asked.
"No, I find it disgusting," Bella said, hugging herself and staring out the window.
Sterling turned his head, surprised. It was the first time he'd seen that look on Bella's face.
"So, you knew all along that Debra is my sister, and you brought her here just to mess with me?" Bella turned her head to look directly into Sterling's eyes.
Bella's eyes were blazing with anger and resentment. She thought she was used to Sterling's games, but she didn't expect this new low.
Sterling saw the hatred in Bella's eyes and was momentarily speechless. He seemed to realize he had messed up.
Proud as he was, Sterling wouldn't admit his mistake. He even nodded, admitting Bella was right.
Ryan, who was driving, glanced in the rearview mirror, resisting the urge to roll his eyes and gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Ryan could tell that Sterling was doing this to make Bella jealous, hoping she'd realize there were feelings between them. However, Sterling forgot that both of them sucked at expressing their emotions.
Everyone could see they had feelings for each other, yet their marriage was so twisted.
Ryan swore that if Sterling were his son, he'd take the steering wheel and whack him with it. But unfortunately, Sterling wasn't, and Ryan needed this job.
The car went dead silent again. Bella and Sterling didn't even notice that Ryan was stepping on the gas. Clearly, he was done with this twisted soap opera.
Dinner was just as quiet. They didn't say a word until they were both showered and lying in bed.
Then Sterling's phone rang. It was Debra. He picked up.
"Darling, why didn't you come see me today? I miss you so much," Debra's voice was all sugary sweet.
Before Sterling could respond, Bella snatched the phone from him.
"What's wrong with your tongue? Is it injured? Next time, talk like a normal person. And Sterling is my husband; why should he go to you?" Bella snapped into the phone before hanging up.
Sterling couldn't help but smile. His plan seemed to be working; he sensed some jealousy from Bella.
"Do you really hate Debra?" Sterling asked.
"No woman likes a bitch," Bella shot back, then turned over to sleep.
Bella wasn't entirely sure if it was just natural disdain for a bitch or something else, but Debra's calls really got under her skin.
Sterling's smile grew, and he turned off the light, settling back under the covers.
In the dark room, only their even breathing could be heard. The atmosphere was silent but not as heavy as in the car.
Sterling suddenly spoke, "Didn't you want Anna to come back for the wedding? I agreed."
Bella turned to look at Sterling in surprise. In the darkness, his eyes seemed to have a slight glow.
"Are you serious?" Bella asked excitedly.
"I agreed to let her come back, but not James," Sterling said in his usual cold tone.
Bella's expression stiffened in the dark, but she quickly recovered. She knew that ever since that incident three years ago, there was no chance between her and James.
Bella jumped out of bed, grabbed her phone, and shared the good news with Anna. The time difference meant it was still daytime for Anna.
Bella didn't notice that Sterling's breathing had quickened, as if he were angry.
'She didn't even thank me! Am I less important to her than her best friend?' Sterling fumed. When Bella returned, he kicked her out of the room.
Bella hugged her blanket and went back to her original room. She didn't know what had gotten into Sterling, but whatever. She didn't want to share a room with him anyway.
The next day, Bella went to work. She was still pretty happy because Anna had said she boarded the plane yesterday and would be back today.
Reuniting with her best friend Anna after three years had Bella buzzing with excitement.
But Bella's good mood vanished the moment she saw Debra.
Bella was at her desk working when she suddenly heard the rapid clacking of high heels on the floor.
She turned her head to see who was making such a racket, only to get smacked on the head with a heavy folder.
Bella felt the pain and stood up from her chair, seeing Debra's furious face.
"You bitch, I warned you to stay away from Sterling. Why didn't you listen? And your tongue is injured!" Debra screamed at Bella, seething with rage.
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