Chapter 435 Rose
Sterling spoke slowly, "Look, I messed up. I know that. But I've paid for it. I've been trying to make things right, asking for your forgiveness. But you? You never gave me a chance, never really got what I've been through."
Bella let out a cold laugh, her eyes hard and resolute. "I don't want to dig up the past, and I can't forgive it. There's no trust left, no future. Let's end this and stop torturing each other."
Bella's words cut like ice, stabbing Sterling's heart. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to release all his inner turmoil and pain with that breath.
The car fell silent again, with only their breathing and the distant sound of passing cars breaking the stillness.
Sterling felt a pang of regret, wishing he had stopped his mother from doing what she did. If only none of it had happened... But his mother had done it all for him, and he couldn't bring himself to blame her, a woman whose heart was solely for him.
"What if I told you it wasn't me?" The words lingered on Sterling's tongue for a long time. He had wanted to say them many times, to defend himself, to claim some innocence. Yet, every time he was about to speak, his sense of responsibility and morality would bind him, forcing him to swallow the words.
This time was no different. Sterling took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Bella's face in the rearview mirror, searching for a glimmer of trust and understanding in her expression.
But all he saw was coldness and determination, leaving him feeling utterly dejected and powerless.
He couldn't be so selfish as to clear his own name at the expense of his mother's. He knew that denying it would inevitably involve her.
His mother was no longer around, and Sterling didn't want to tarnish her memory. After all, everything she did was for him, and he couldn't detach himself from that.
Sterling's fists clenched tightly, his fingers turning white from the pressure. He felt his heart being torn apart by the constant struggle, wanting to defend himself yet not wanting to damage his mother's reputation.
This conflicting emotion caused him immense pain and agony.
Soon, the car came to a stop in front of the familiar dessert shop. Sterling parked but didn't immediately unlock the doors, as if waiting for the right moment or giving Bella some time to compose herself.
However, the atmosphere inside the car was heavy and tense, an unspoken silence hanging between them, making even breathing feel cautious.
Bella sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly ahead, her mind replaying their conversation over and over.
Bella felt like there was a lump in her chest, making it hard to breathe. She was filled with anger and resentment over the past, and uncertainty about the future.
Bella knew that the entanglement between her and Sterling wouldn't end so easily, but at that moment, she felt utterly exhausted and helpless.
After a few seconds, Sterling finally broke the silence. He gently unlocked the car door, his voice firm and resolute. "This isn't over. I'll keep trying until you come back to me." Though his voice was soft, it was filled with strength and determination.
Bella didn't respond. She just got out of the car, her steps heavy as she walked into the dessert shop. Her figure looked lonely and lost, like she was running away from something.
Inside the shop, Isadora was busy working. When she saw Bella walk in, she looked up in surprise. "Sterling drove you back? Did you guys make up?" Her tone carried a hint of hope and curiosity.
Bella shook her head lightly, her mind a chaotic mess, with countless thoughts echoing. She tried to calm herself, but the restlessness and unease in her heart were hard to shake.
"No," she finally said, her voice hoarse. "I'm really tired and need to rest. Just leave one person to watch the shop, everyone else can go about their work." With that, she turned and walked into the break room, closing the door behind her.
Isadora watched Bella's retreating figure, a sense of unease rising within her. She knew that the situation between Bella and Sterling was complicated, but she also understood that Bella needed time and space to deal with it on her own.
So, Isadora nodded and signaled the other employees to continue working, while she stayed at the front desk.
In the afternoon, the first person to walk through the shop door wasn't a customer, but an employee from a flower shop, wearing a smile.
He was holding a large bouquet of vibrant red roses, the petals glistening as if still covered in morning dew, making them particularly eye-catching.
"Is Miss Grey here?" The flower shop employee's voice was gentle and polite as he looked around the shop, finally resting his gaze on Serafina at the counter.
Serafina was taken aback by the unexpected scene. She blinked, puzzled as she looked at the flower shop employee and the striking bouquet of roses. "Are these for her? Who sent them?" Her rapid-fire questions were filled with surprise and curiosity.
The flower shop employee smiled politely, his smile carrying a hint of mystery and apology. "I'm not sure. The sender didn't leave a name, just said the flowers must be delivered to Miss Grey in person. Could you call her for me if she's here?"
Serafina nodded, though her mind was full of questions and gossip burning with curiosity, she dutifully turned and called out toward the break room, "Bella, someone sent you flowers! Come and get them!"
Bella was in the break room, trying to clear her chaotic thoughts. Hearing Serafina's call, she was momentarily stunned, then frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding rising within her.
Bella got up and walked out of the break room, immediately spotting the dazzling red roses and the flower shop employee's meaningful smile.
"Are these for me? Who sent them?" Bella's voice carried a hint of uncertainty as her gaze shifted between the flower shop employee and Serafina.
The flower shop employee maintained his professional smile. "Your colleague already asked that."
He patiently explained, "I don't know who sent them, just that they're for you. If you're Miss Grey, please sign for them. I need to get back to the shop."
Bella nodded lightly, her mind filled with questions, but she politely took the delivery receipt from the flower shop employee and signed her name.
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