Chapter 386 The Price of Growth
As she ran away, Debra couldn't help but turn back, her voice shaking with rage as she yelled, "Just wait! I'm not letting you off the hook! If I'd known you were here, I'd have made your life hell! None of you are getting away!"
Her voice echoed down the street, filled with bitterness and anger. But as she disappeared around the busy corner, her voice faded until it was swallowed by the city noise.
Bella took a step forward, ready to chase after Debra and give her a piece of her mind, but Anna grabbed her from behind, wrapping her arms tightly around Bella's waist to stop her.
"Don't go, Bella," Anna pleaded, her voice a mix of reason and desperation. "Let her have her moment. She's powerless now; what trouble can she really cause? We can call the cops and handle this the right way. If you get into trouble, no one's gonna bail you out! You're not with the Windsor family anymore; you need to protect yourself and not act impulsively."
After a long while, Bella's emotions finally began to settle, but the guilt and self-reproach weighed heavily on her heart like a boulder, making it hard to breathe.
Anna had endured so much pain and suffering, and it pained Bella deeply to see her friend hurt. Bella wished she could have taken all the suffering upon herself instead of Anna. If it had been her, she might have been able to face it more calmly, but now, she couldn't bear to look Anna in the eyes.
The atmosphere in the shop was unusually heavy all afternoon. Though they weren't open for business, everyone stayed at their posts, not leaving.
Bella sat in a corner, staring blankly out the window. Her heart was a storm of emotions—anger and resentment towards Debra, and guilt towards Anna.
Anna sat beside Bella, her hands gently folded on her lap, her eyes reflecting a mix of memories and acceptance.
She murmured as if speaking to her past self, "At first, it was really hard for me to accept everything. I felt like my world was falling apart, and I even thought about ending it all. But then I realized that living was better. I still have my troublesome mom and a wonderful friend like you by my side. I couldn't bear to leave you all behind. I couldn't leave the warmth and beauty of this world."
Anna smiled softly, her eyes shining with determination. "I'm glad I didn't die. I found my true love, and you, Bella, you're still here with me, never leaving. Even my mom has become less of a worry. All of this makes me believe that after the storm, the rainbow will come. And I finally found my rainbow."
She turned to Bella, her gaze filled with understanding and comfort. "Bella, I'm really okay. The past hurt me, but I know it will pass. You've already fought and yelled; let it go now. We're family, and we should support each other and face difficulties together. So, don't be sad anymore, okay?"
Bella's voice was hoarse but firm. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress all her anger and resentment, and then spoke slowly, "I've thought about it. If we call the cops, you'll have to testify, which means reliving those painful memories. It's been so long, and I don't want you to go through that again. Plus, this involves Caleb, and it's more complicated than we think. It's not that easy to resolve."
Bella paused, her eyes flashing with determination. "So, I've decided to make Debra pay in my own way. She owes me, and she owes you. I'll make sure she pays for everything. I used to be too weak, always considering too much, even going easy on Debra for Mira's sake."
"But now, I understand that I'm not a saint. I don't have to forgive everyone who has hurt me. I need to protect you, protect all of us, and not let anyone hurt you again."
Bella's words carried an unprecedented resolve and strength, as if she had shed her former self, no longer the weak and hesitant person she once was.
Anna gently stroked Bella's forehead, her eyes filled with tenderness and memories. "You know, Bella, when I first met you, do you know what you were like in my eyes? You were introverted, didn't talk much, always kept people at a distance, as if the whole world had nothing to do with you."
"But you were so beautiful, your aura, your eyes, they were so captivating. I felt drawn to you, like some mysterious force was pulling me to be your friend, to get close to you, to understand you."
Anna smiled slightly and continued, "So, I started trying to get close to you, finding every opportunity to talk to you. Even if you only responded with a word or two, it made me so happy. Finally, after all my efforts, we became friends. Back then, you were probably weighed down by guilt towards Sterling, always feeling like you owed the world. You walked with your head down, that sense of inferiority made me want to lift your head up and tell you that you were amazing and deserved to be treated kindly by the world."
Anna's words were filled with a mix of nostalgia and relief. She continued softly, "Then you met James, and I saw you start to change. You began to smile, your eyes started to shine with life and energy. I knew then that you were coming out of that dark place and starting to embrace a new life. When Sterling sent James and me abroad, and we came back, you were completely different. You became stronger, more decisive, and even left Sterling without hesitation."
She looked at Bella, her eyes sparkling with pride and encouragement. "You used to avoid conflict, always choosing to endure silently. But now, you stood up to Debra, protecting yourself and those around you. This is your journey, Bella. We all grow through pain, and I'm no different. Every challenge makes us braver."
Bella's emotions suddenly broke, and she sobbed uncontrollably, turning to hug Anna tightly. Tears streamed down her face, soaking Anna's shoulder.
Her voice trembled with pain and regret, "Does growing up really have to come at such a high cost? I've lost three children, given up the man I loved, and unintentionally hurt my best friend. The price is too heavy."
Anna held Bella tightly, her voice soothing and gentle. "I know, Bella. It feels unbearable sometimes. But look at how far you've come. You're stronger than you think. And you're not alone. We'll get through this together. The pain won't last forever, and we'll find happiness again. I promise."
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