Chapter 390 Escalate
"You won't, because you're already lost in your own desires and hatred. Do you have any idea how many times I've covered for you, both openly and secretly?"
"I thought you would change, but you've been acting recklessly and arrogantly. Where do you get the nerve to be so arrogant? You have nothing left. Face reality! No matter how bad things get, Bella is still part of the Windsor family and Sterling's woman. If you and Dash want to die, I won't stop you, but I won't plead for you anymore!"
With that, Mira didn't give Debra any chance to argue. She hung up the phone, feeling resolute and relieved. She didn't want to hear any more excuses from that father-daughter duo; it only made her sick.
The next morning, sunlight broke through the clouds, shining on the small shop that had weathered the storm the night before.
Bella got up early and contacted a professional repair team to fix the shattered exterior wall and door. The sooner the shop could reopen, the less the losses and the more reassured the employees would be.
As the shop reopened, Bella received a message from Mira. She knew Mira must have confronted Dash and Debra.
Although Bella didn't expect Mira to completely solve the problem, at least she had stepped up and taken responsibility.
Bella also knew that Mira couldn't restrict Dash and Debra's actions. The father and daughter were like ticking time bombs, ready to explode at any moment.
But Bella wasn't afraid. As long as she stayed vigilant, she could catch Dash in the act. If Dash tried to harm her again, she would gather evidence and send him to jail.
As the time to return to Harborvale approached, Anna grew increasingly worried about Bella.
She held Bella's hand, her eyes full of concern. "Bella, maybe I should talk to Colin and leave a bit later? I can't leave you alone in this situation."
Bella gently patted Anna's hand, reassuring her. "It's okay, I can handle this. You should go as planned. I owe you too much already, and I don't want to see you make any more sacrifices for me. This time, you have to listen to me."
Anna wanted to say more, but Bella interrupted her with a firmer tone. "Dash and Debra are just clowns, not real threats. This is a society governed by law; they can't do anything to me. Even if they try, I'll fight back tenfold and show them what I'm made of. We might both suffer, but I won't let myself be the one to lose."
Anna took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, Bella. Since you've decided, I'll listen to you. But you have to promise me, no matter what happens, tell me right away. We're best friends, and I can't let you face this alone."
Anna thought of Sterling. She knew how deeply Sterling cared for Bella and that his influence in Harborvale was strong enough to protect her from any harm.
When Bella insisted again that Anna should leave, Anna hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
"Okay, Bella. If... if Sterling comes to see you while I'm gone, try to give him a chance, and give yourself a chance too. It's obvious you love him; anyone can see that. No one knows you better than I do. If you truly hate him, then spend your life making him suffer."
"But honestly, leaving him might not be the greatest salvation. Sometimes, staying and making each other miserable is the real punishment..."
Anna's words carried a mix of emotions. She wanted Bella to find happiness but also worried that past hurts would prevent her from moving on.
Bella listened to Anna, feeling a swirl of emotions. She did love Sterling, that was undeniable.
But the past pain and misunderstandings made her hesitant and uncertain about their relationship. She didn't know if she could let go of her grudges and accept Sterling again.
However, when Anna mentioned that leaving might not be the best way to heal, Bella felt a twinge of doubt.
Maybe she had been using distance and avoidance to deal with her feelings. Was that really the right choice? Could it truly bring her peace?
"You're right. But I can't be sure of my feelings right now. I need time to think and sort things out. If Sterling does come to see me, I'll consider your advice."
Bella finally spoke, her voice carrying a note of determination and relief.
Anna felt a sense of relief. She knew that Bella starting to think about this was a significant step. She believed that with enough time, Bella would find her own answers.
Dash seemed to be on a collision course with Bella. After his complete fallout with Mira, he became even more reckless, indulging in his destructive behavior.
One quiet night, he sent people to smash the windows and doors of Bella's shop again. This time, when Bella arrived at the shop, she wasn't shocked or angry like the first time. She was calm and resolute.
Bella decisively picked up her phone and called the police. This was the second time, and Bella knew that if Dash wanted to play hardball, she wouldn't back down. She would make Dash understand that the law wasn't just for show; he would have to pay for his actions.
As soon as Dash made another move, the police would be on him, and he would have nowhere to hide.
The workers arrived quickly to install new doors and glass walls. They looked at the mess and were puzzled. "Why does your shop keep getting smashed?" they asked, their voices filled with confusion and sympathy.
Bella stood by, her gaze steady and indifferent. "Someone's got it in for me. If they want to play rough, there's nothing I can do. Please, just install everything again."
Bella's voice was calm and strong, as if she were talking about something that didn't concern her.
Seeing the shop vandalized again, Anna felt a surge of anxiety and worry. She knew that if Dash's madness wasn't stopped in time, it could escalate.
So, she secretly sent a message to Colin: [Dash has gone crazy. He's had people smash our shop's windows and doors two days in a row.]
[Bella has called the police, but the attackers were on motorcycles with helmets, so their faces were hidden. It might be hard for the police to catch them. I'm worried Dash will get worse. Can you help us out? Or maybe get Sterling here sooner? We're really struggling.]
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