Chapter 54 The Disappointed Wife
Bella glanced at Anna's freaked-out face, totally confused.
"What's up with you?" Bella barely got the words out before Anna yanked her hand and dragged her towards the exit of the engagement party.
Once they hit a quiet spot, Anna stared at Bella, all jittery. "Do you even know whose engagement this is? Who brought you here?"
Anna's words sent a chill down Bella's spine.
"It was Sterling. Isn't this his buddy's engagement?" Bella asked, still puzzled.
"Sterling would never be friends with James," Anna said, her face blank.
Bella froze. It hit her like a ton of bricks whose engagement this was, and she went pale, almost collapsing.
Suddenly, Bella's eyes locked onto a figure in the crowd, which was James. They hadn't seen each other in years.
James rocked a white fitted suit, showing off his tall, handsome frame. He looked even hotter than before.
James seemed to feel Bella's stare. He glanced up but only saw a pine tree. Bella was hidden behind it.
James frowned, confused, and went back to chatting with his friends.
A bitter smile crept onto Bella's lips.
Sterling had once said he'd bring James back and then make them pay.
"So this is Sterling's idea of punishment. He really knows how to hit where it hurts," Bella muttered, shaking her head with a bitter smile.
Anna grabbed Bella's hand, worried. "You don't have to take this. Let's bail."
Bella let go of Anna's hand, took a deep breath, and her smile came back. "We can't run. Sterling wants to see me squirm. I can't give him that satisfaction."
Bella's smile was fleeting, like a snowflake melting instantly. She stepped out from behind the pine tree, looking like she was just at any old engagement party. The bride and groom were just regular friends.
But James had already left. Bella didn't care; she walked over to the seat next to Sterling and sat down.
"Is this the surprise you had for me? Not bad, I dig it," Bella said, smiling at Sterling.
Sterling frowned hard. He couldn't read anything from Bella's smile, not even a hint of sadness.
Someone came over with a glass of wine to toast Sterling, and Bella played the perfect wife, chatting with everyone.
Sterling felt a wave of annoyance. This wasn't what he wanted.
Anna stood nearby, watching Bella's smile, feeling a deep ache.
"Men are all the same! The only good ones are in movies. If I had the cash, I'd buy an island and live there with Bella forever," Anna muttered, her eyes red.
But Anna didn't notice someone standing behind her.
"That's a bit harsh. I think I'm a pretty decent guy," Colin said with a grin.
Anna spun around, surprised and then pissed. "Didn't expect to see you here. Whose friend are you?"
Colin had just spotted a stunning woman and wanted to chat her up, not expecting it was Anna from yesterday.
"I'm a friend of the bride and also tight with Sterling," Colin said, flashing that same cocky grin from before.
Hearing Sterling's name, Anna's face twisted with disgust.
"A friend of that jerk can't be any good," Anna snapped, turning to leave. She had zero interest in dealing with Sterling or his crew.
Colin watched her walk away, baffled, and shouted, "That's pretty rude, don't you think? I did save your life."
Anna didn't even glance back, just kept walking.
"What the hell? Sterling pissed you off, so why take it out on me?" Colin muttered, shaking his head and taking a sip of his drink.
Soon, the engagement ceremony kicked off. As everyone took their seats, Bella spotted James again.
Sterling turned to Bella, hoping to catch some reaction on her face. But Bella just wore a faint smile, like she was genuinely happy for her friends.
"Isn't this an engagement? Why's the bride in a wedding dress?" someone nearby whispered.
Bella found it odd too, but then she realized with a jolt that the bride, Amara Gray, was wearing a wedding dress she had designed herself.
Bella's eyes widened, but she quickly masked her shock.
'I knew Sterling wouldn't let me off easy. Giving the wedding dress I designed to another woman to marry James? That's a low blow,' Bella thought, feeling like her heart was being stabbed, but her face stayed calm.
After the priest finished the vows, he suddenly addressed the crowd, "Next, we'll have a friend of the groom share their blessings."
Bella's heart sank. She had a gut feeling the priest would hand her the mic next. Here came Sterling's third humiliation.
Sure enough, the priest walked over and handed her the microphone.
When James saw Bella, his smile vanished, replaced by shock. Amara noticed his hand trembling slightly.
Bella smiled, took the mic, and walked to the middle of James and Amara.
"My name's Bella. I'm an old classmate and friend of James. I'm honored to stand here and offer blessings on behalf of everyone. I hope their marriage is always happy and fulfilling. I think that's what we all hope for," Bella said, then put down the mic and took Amara's and James' hands, joining them together.
"Let's give them a round of applause," Bella said, leading the clapping, and the guests followed.
Bella's smile stayed plastered on her face until the ceremony ended. She stood up and left with Sterling.
They walked towards the parking lot in silence. But then, Anna came running up from behind.
"Sterling, you're a bastard!" Anna screamed. If Bella hadn't held her back, she might've decked him.
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