Chapter 444 You Choose One
Bella stood to the side, watching them silently and sighing without a word. She had done everything she could. The rest was up to them to work out.
Anna looked at Colin through her drunken haze, as if he had become a blurry and distant image before her eyes. She reached out and gently ruffled his slightly messy hair, a bitter smile tugging at her lips: "Why did you come? I should still be in Harborvale right now, shouldn't I? How did you know I didn't go back? Did you figure out I lied to you?"
Colin's heart ached at her words. He gently caught her hands that were still waving around in the air and softly placed them back on the sofa: "Are you okay right now? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Can we find a quiet place and have a proper talk?"
Anna seemed affected by his tone, and a flash of clarity appeared in her eyes. She suddenly scrambled up from the sofa, trying hard to sit up straight. Although her words were still slurred and her eyes still somewhat dazed, she looked much more normal than before: "Talk! Of course we'll talk! I love talking to you! You always understand me, you get me."
Colin looked at her like this, his heart both aching and helpless. He sighed softly, reached out to tuck the stray hair by her ear behind it, then instinctively looked toward Bella.
Bella immediately understood. She smiled gently, a flash of understanding in her eyes, and said right away: "I'll go out for a walk? You two have a good talk."
Without waiting for Colin to respond, she got up, quietly opened the door, and slipped out, as if afraid of disturbing them.
After closing the door, Bella stood alone in the hallway, looking at the empty corridor. She could only go downstairs now. To give Anna and Colin a private space to talk, this was all she could do.
Bella had been kept awake all night by Anna, and whatever slight buzz she'd had from drinking had long since faded. She was terribly awake now, so she decided to go downstairs, get some fresh air, and take a walk.
The apartment complex at past three in the morning was quiet, as if the whole world had fallen asleep. Only the streetlights remained at their posts, casting a soft, yellowish glow that added a touch of warmth and peace to the silent night.
Bella strolled along the paths in the complex, hearing only her own footsteps and the occasional night bird chirping in the distance.
She looked up at the moths fluttering around the streetlights. They seemed drawn to the light, or driven by some mysterious force, constantly circling and dancing beneath the glow.
Those moths looked just like love—knowing full well that what lay ahead might be a trap, might be destruction, yet still rushing forward without hesitation, all for that moment of light and warmth.
Isn't that what love is like?
Colin at least had a conscience. Knowing Bella had gone out, he quickly typed out a message to Sterling: "I'm at Bella's apartment with Anna. Probably can't leave tonight. Bella went out to give us space. Go pick her up. It's not safe for her to be out alone."
After the message was sent successfully, Colin's tense nerves relaxed a bit. Only then did he reach out and pull Anna into his arms.
On the other end, Sterling saw his phone screen suddenly light up. Seeing it was a message from Colin, he quickly scanned it, and his drowsiness instantly vanished. In the middle of the night, with Bella alone outside, how could he possibly feel at ease?
Sterling sat up abruptly, changed clothes, and headed out—all in one smooth motion.
Sterling hurriedly hailed a taxi and headed straight to Bella's apartment complex. When he reached the entrance, he looked around. The night was deep, the streets empty, but there was no sign of Bella. His heart tightened, and he immediately called her.
On the other end, Bella was slowly walking along the paths in the complex, enjoying this rare peace and freedom.
Seeing it was Sterling calling, she was slightly surprised but didn't reject the call. She was just puzzled—why was he calling so late?
Sterling's voice came through the phone with a firm determination: "I'm at your complex entrance. Come out quickly. Colin can't leave tonight."
Bella also hoped Anna and Colin could resolve their misunderstanding and get back together. So after hesitating, she ultimately agreed to Sterling's request.
After all, who wants to be outside feeding mosquitoes in the middle of the night? She had already walked around the complex several times. Wearing a thin nightgown, her exposed skin had already been bitten in several places.
When Bella walked out of the complex, Sterling saw she was only wearing a nightgown, and his brow furrowed slightly.
"Get in." Sterling had already driven his own car out using the spare key. He gently pulled open the passenger door, gesturing for Bella to get in.
Bella glanced at him and could only resignedly get in the car. Sitting inside, she immediately felt a cool blast of air conditioning, dispelling the heat and discomfort from her body. She let out a soft breath, and an indescribable sense of security welled up in her heart.
Seeing this, Sterling's lips curved into a barely noticeable smile. He closed the car door, walked around to the driver's seat, and started the car. With the roar of the engine, the car slowly left the complex and merged into the night.
Inside the car, both tacitly chose silence. Sterling focused on driving, while Bella quietly gazed at the scenery outside the window, her thoughts wandering.
Bella knew that although tonight's events were somewhat abrupt, they made her understand even more clearly that she and Sterling would probably be entangled for the rest of their lives.
The car had driven quite far when Bella suddenly remembered something important: "Take me to a hotel and get me a room. I was in such a rush when I left that I only brought my phone. I didn't bring my ID or anything."
Sterling nodded slightly after hearing this. He didn't say much, just focused on driving.
The car stopped steadily at the hotel entrance. Sterling turned off the engine and looked at Bella. Bella got out of the car somewhat nervously and followed behind him into the hotel lobby.
Bella was just about to speak when Sterling interrupted her. He said softly: "Without an ID, you can't get a room."
Bella almost fainted from frustration. Of course she knew you couldn't get a room without an ID, but seeing him nod in the car, she thought he had a solution!
Sterling seemed to see through her thoughts and said softly: "Sleep in my room. I'll sleep on the sofa."
Bella closed her eyes and sighed. Having come this far, turning back and leaving would be neither appropriate nor realistic. Looking at the time on her phone, it was almost four in the morning. Drowsiness washed over her like a tide, and she really didn't want to keep struggling.
Sterling's regular VIP suite was decorated both luxuriously and comfortably. Fortunately, the living room and bedroom were separate. Although there was no physical door dividing them, at least she wouldn't have to share a room with Sterling. Maintaining a certain sense of distance made Bella feel much more at ease.
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