Chapter 66 True Freedom
Bella totally got what Zoey was thinking.
Not only Zoey, but everyone else could think that as Sterling's wife, Bella should be living it up on his dime, enjoying all his stuff, and maybe even taking half in a divorce.
But that wasn't Bella's style. She thought differently from most people.
Sterling had raised Bella since she was a kid, and she'd been by his side for years. Sure, they had feelings for each other, but there was also this huge sense of debt.
Bella felt like she owed Sterling big time. She was dying to break free from him because she didn't want to be stuck with that debt forever. She craved real freedom, the kind without Sterling's strings attached.
That was why Bella never took money from Sterling. She was always trying to limit and control whatever he gave her.
Bella was pregnant, but she wasn't about to let Sterling have a say in this new life. She knew he'd use the kid to keep her under his thumb, and she wanted out.
As for whether Bella ever loved Sterling, she wasn't sure herself.
She couldn't deny that seeing Debra made her a bit jealous. She didn't want to share Sterling with anyone.
But Bella didn't think that was love. She'd been with Sterling so long that maybe, deep down, she saw him as family.
And no one liked sharing their family, especially with someone they couldn't stand.
Bella had already made up her mind. Once the baby was born, whether or not she had paid Sterling back, she was leaving to find her own freedom.
If Sterling found another woman after she left, that was his problem, not hers.
Bella looked at the snowflakes outside and touched her belly.
"When this baby comes, it'll probably be autumn," she murmured.
Just then, the phone in the living room rang. Zoey went to answer it and then looked at Bella, surprised.
"Mrs. Windsor, it's Mr. Hughes. He wants to talk to you." Zoey handed the phone to Bella.
Bella picked up the phone, surprised. "Micah, what's up?"
Micah's laughter came through the line. "I heard you've been job hunting but no one's hiring you. Is that true?"
Bella's face darkened, and she snapped, "Did you call just to make fun of me?"
Micah quickly reassured her, "No, no, that's not it. I wanted to see if you'd like to come back and work for me."
Bella was taken aback and frowned. "Did Sterling put you up to this?"
She figured it had to be Sterling's doing, but Micah denied it.
"Nope, this was all me. When you quit, I had a feeling this day would come, so I kept your resignation letter in my drawer. Your colleagues think you're just on sick leave. So, Ms. Grey, are you ready to end your leave and come back to work?" Micah's voice came through the receiver, leaving Bella stunned.
"Wait, you really didn't tell my colleagues I quit?" Bella asked, sounding a bit desperate.
"Of course not. I figured you'd be back. Even if I didn't take you back, Colin would. But he's all about food services, so you'd end up as a waitress or cashier," Micah teased.
Bella went quiet for a moment. Being pregnant, she needed to avoid too much physical work. Micah's design gig was definitely a better fit.
"Thanks. I'll come in right away," Bella said excitedly, dropping the phone and rushing upstairs to change.
The phone was still connected, and Micah's worried voice came through, "Hold on! It's a holiday today. Why are you coming in? Can you hear me?"
Luckily, Zoey was still in the living room cleaning and heard Micah. She quickly passed the message to Bella, calming her down.
At dinner that night, Bella shared her job news with Sterling.
Zoey, who was serving the dishes, could guess what Bella was about to say next. She stood behind Sterling, making eye signals to Bella, but Bella didn't catch on.
"I'll be earning a salary soon. Once I do, I can pay you back for everything you've spent on me recently," Bella said happily to Sterling.
Sterling paused, looked up at Bella, and his cold stare made her feel uneasy.
"I'm done." Sterling wiped his mouth with a napkin, then stood up and walked upstairs.
After he left, Zoey sighed and said to Bella, "Mrs. Windsor, that was really hurtful."
"Why? I was just stating the facts," Bella frowned.
Zoey sighed again. "Couples shouldn't be too polite with each other. If a guy is pursuing a girl and she's too polite, it means she wants to keep her distance. Do you get what I mean? You're being too polite to Mr. Windsor."
Bella nodded. She'd never been in a relationship, so she didn't get it. But with Zoey's advice, she knew what to do.
"Got it, Zoey. I won't say stuff like that again," Bella said with a smile.
Zoey felt relieved.
"I'll secretly save my salary and give it to him all at once," Bella said seriously.
Zoey's mouth dropped open, and after a moment, she slowly said, "Well, that's a good idea."
Shaking her head, Zoey left the dining room.
The next morning, Bella put on her makeup, dressed up, and headed to Micah's company with her bag.
But right in front of the building, she saw the last person she wanted to see.
When Debra spotted Bella, a mocking smile spread across her face.
"Well, if it isn't my dear sister. What brings you here? Did Micah not pay you? Or are you job hunting and hoping Micah will take you back?" Debra sneered.
Bella tried to ignore her, but Debra grabbed her hand and continued, "Don't rush off. If you really can't find a job, you can come to me. Our Foster Family just happens to need a cleaner."
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