Chapter 316 I Go to Deliver
Mira stammered nervously, "I was just passing through on a business trip and thought I'd stop by to see you."
Her voice trembled slightly as she tried to sound more natural. "To see how you're doing, to see your shop."
Bella didn't respond immediately. She looked at Mira, seemingly deep in thought.
After a moment, she sighed softly, her tone softening a bit. "You know me. I'm doing fine here, and I don't need your concern. As for the shop, it's my business, and I'll take good care of it."
Listening to Bella's words, Mira felt a mix of emotions. She knew the rift between them couldn't be mended overnight. But she also understood that if they both tried, they could eventually find a balance.
"Okay, I get it." Mira's voice choked up, but she tried to stay calm. "I'll go now. Take care."
With that, Mira turned and left the small shop. Her figure looked particularly lonely and desolate in the night. Bella watched her leave, feeling a surge of inexplicable emotion.
After Mira left, Bella's face turned pale. She pressed her lips tightly together, not explaining anything immediately. It wasn't until they closed the shop and started walking home, the quiet and long streets of the night stretching before them, that she finally spoke, her voice low and complex.
"Anna, things might be worse than we thought. Mira already knows I opened a dessert shop here, so..."
Anna quickly interrupted Bella. "Don't overthink it. She knows, but that doesn't mean others will find out. As for how she found this place, maybe it really was just a coincidence. She did say she was here on a business trip, right? Or maybe she found out by accident. After all, this city isn't that big; it's not impossible for paths to cross."
Anna paused and added, "I know you want to start a new life, away from the shadows of the past. I've been trying, too, but sometimes we can't control every detail of our lives, especially when it involves people and things from the past. Mira's appearance surprised me, but I don't think she came with bad intentions. At least, from her behavior today, it seems like she wants to make amends and repair the relationship."
Bella listened to Anna, her brow furrowed. She understood Bella's position and her inner struggle. Mira was connected to the people and events of the past, and that person was finding Bella's biggest fear.
After a long silence, Bella said, "Anna, it's not that I don't trust you; I don't trust her. I can't forgive the things she did before. Now she suddenly shows up here and finds our shop. How could that be just a coincidence? She clearly came prepared."
Anna's eyes widened with realization and unease. "Yeah, even if she was here on a business trip, it's too much of a coincidence that she found our shop. That means she knew we were here all along! It's too convenient, too suspicious. Could Sterling have sent her?"
Anna's words cut like a knife, hitting Bella's most sensitive spot. Her face grew even paler, a look of determination and unease flashing in her eyes. She knew that if Sterling were behind this, their lives would never be peaceful.
"Bella, don't panic. We don't have concrete evidence that Sterling sent her," Anna said, trying to keep her voice calm and steady, though her inner turmoil was hard to hide. "But you're right; it's unlikely she found this place by chance."
Anna looked at Bella's pale face, filled with worry and heartache. She gently held Bella's hand and spoke softly, "Bella, I know what you're worried about. But no matter what happens, I'll always be by your side, supporting you, protecting you. We can't be afraid."
Feeling Anna's warmth and determination, Bella felt a surge of comfort. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Anna, you're right. We can't let fear defeat us. We have to face everything bravely. If Sterling is behind this, I won't let him succeed. I'll find a safer place to open a shop until they stop bothering us."
The two shared a smile. In the days that followed, Bella and Anna were more cautious in running their dessert shop. They kept a close eye on their surroundings, wary of any unusual activity. At the same time, they began looking for a new location, hoping to find a safer, more hidden place to start over.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, adding warmth to the cozy shop. The place was busy and orderly, with a steady stream of customers, each lost in the sweet world of desserts.
Just then, the shop received a delivery order. Since the person in charge of deliveries was unavailable, Bella's eyes flickered when she saw the phone number on the order. She quickly decided to take the delivery herself. "I'll handle this one. I'll be back soon."
Anna looked up at Bella, a bit puzzled. "Make it quick. I'm swamped here."
Though Anna didn't ask further, she had a hunch that the delivery might be related to Mira.
Bella nodded, a complex emotion flashing across her face. She went into the kitchen, quickly packed the desserts, and then grabbed the delivery bag and left the shop. Her steps were urgent, as if she were both escaping something and seeking something.
Walking through the bustling streets, Bella felt a mix of emotions. She didn't know what this meeting with Mira would bring—an argument or a deeper misunderstanding? She felt uneasy, even a bit anxious.
The address led to a nearby upscale hotel. Bella followed the navigation to the exact location. Standing outside Mira's room, she took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door.
The door opened quickly, and Mira appeared. She looked surprised to see Bella, but then smiled. "Bella, you're delivering the order?"
Bella handed the delivery to Mira, her tone distant. "The shop is busy, and I had some free time, so I came by."
Mira took the delivery and invited Bella in, but Bella shook her head. She didn't want to stay longer, nor did she want too much interaction with Mira.
"No, I need to get back to the shop. Mira, I hope you understand that my life is peaceful now, and I don't want it disrupted by the past," Bella said, her gaze firm and cold.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
