Chapter 07: So be it!

Still at the party, Bella tried in every way to ignore Dylan's presence, but the beautiful man made sure to always be in his ex-girlfriend's line of sight. Eventually, she got annoyed and headed towards Johnny, who was talking in a circle of "businessmen," partners, and allies.

“Excuse me, I'm going to steal my husband for just a little bit.”

“What happened to you?”

“I felt like dancing, and since you're the only man who catches my eye at this wonderful party, you get to be my partner.” Bella turns on her charm as she hits the dance floor hand in hand with Johnny

"Well! Coming from the most beautiful woman at the ball, I'm flattered.” The tall, athletic man with dark blonde, medium-length, layered hair added a giving of charm to his symmetrically perfect face, which matched well with his blue eyes. Johnny was definitely a handsome man, and his usually calm and peaceful personality could easily deceive, as he was also competitive, hated losing, and his possessiveness could be problematic at times. However, he had a good relationship with Bella. There was no romantic love, at least not on her part, but there was companionship and, above all, a contract that stipulated limits for both of them. Nevertheless, in his own way, Johnny loved his wife, a feeling that grew while their friendship endured since childhood when they first met. But it wasn't just for this love that Johnny agreed to marry Bella; he had much bigger plans. For now, it was good for everyone to think that he loved her so much that he couldn't bear to see her with someone else who would probably make her unhappy and wouldn't understand her strong personality and independent nature. In this way, he could protect her even in the shadows, which he always repeated, and thus Johnny managed to keep Bella always close.

“Sometimes I think I'm so selfish,” Bella rested her head between her husband's chest and shoulder.

“Only sometimes?” Johnny smiled.

“Wow! I thought you were going to retort and say no, like you always do. Is something changing?”

“Maybe I'm tired of just feeling you by my side and want a little more.”

“What do you mean?” Bella stared at him.

“Today we complete our ten-year wedding anniversary, and our relationship as husband and wife almost didn't evolve. I want to know how long you're going to treat me like your best friend or, worse, your brother. Or maybe you still love the guy who got you pregnant and cheated on you, even after all this time.” Johnny questioned, whispering in his beloved's ear, maintaining his composure and the dance as the band played a slow song.

“What? Because you…”

“It's all right, Bella. Happy anniversary to us!” Johnny snuggle his wife close to his body, continuing the dance while Bella locked eyes with Dylan, who was also staring at her with a mischievous smirk that used to excite her in the past. But at that moment, the only thing she felt was a lump in her throat and anger, the urge to draw a gun and shoot the man she once loved so much, who betrayed her, leaving her with so many traumas and afraid to deliver up again.

As the music ended, Johnny stepped away from Bella again, leaving her alone on the dance floor. As she was returning to her table, she felt someone grab her by the wrist.

“May I have this dance?”

“You're really shameless. Let go of me, Dylan, and once again, I'm warning you. Go away and leave me alone. You owe me that.”

As the two conversed heatedly, the guests began to observe them, making comments among themselves. It was then that DK pulled Bella close to his strong body from the right ways, and she tried to resist.

“What do you think you're doing? Let me go!”

“Only enter the game; all your guests are watching us. You can't even disguise. Impulsive as always, and I… love it.” Dylan whispered, making Bella's beautiful emerald green eyes widen for a moment.

“Fine, I'll play along. But don't ever do this again, or you'll regret it.”

“Wow, brunette, I never imagined you could be so angry .”

“Our dance ends here. Good night, Mr. Daves!” Bella slowly walked away, exuding her beauty and charm.

“Beautiful as always.”

“Dylan, can we talk for a moment?” Johnny approached DK from behind.

“Of course!” DK followed Johnny to a more private area.

“I'm just going to give you a warning, Mr. Daves. Don't be so intimate with my wife if you want to keep your life. Understood?”

“Hmm…Johnny! You've always seemed so calm; what’s with the dark expression?”

“I don't know how it is in your clan, but in mine, we respect each other's women. When you wanted to be my shareholder, that rule applied to you too. I should kick you out, but I'll give you one more chance. Don’t make me lose my temper.”

“I understand, Mr. Iverson! Forgive me for my audacity. I thought your wife was someone I knew some time ago, but I was clearly mistaken.”

“You may go!” As soon as Dylan left Johnny's presence, a man with bleached hair with countless tattoos, yet well-groomed and stylish in a royal blue tuxedo, approached. He had been discreetly observing everything from nearby.

“Taylor, I want you to keep an eye on my new partner and find out everything you can about him.”

“With all due respect, sir, wouldn’t it be easier to ask Mrs. Iverson how she knows the new partner?” Johnny's henchman asked nonchalantly, but he began to worry when he noticed his boss's furious glare.

“What did you say, Taylor?”

“I will shadow the new shareholder and I won’t fail.”

“I know that, especially because you fear for your life. And as for my wife, keep your opinions to yourself. Get out of here.” The big man just bowed and left without saying another word, while Johnny remained there for a while longer, thinking until Theo found him.

“Dad, what are you doing here, hiding alone?”

“I’m not hiding, I was just... here. And you, why are you wandering around? Do you want to leave?”

“I don’t, but Mom does.”

“Right! go to search her then. We’ll meet in the car, let her know.” Johnny smiled kindly at the boy who, although not his biological son, he to care as if he were.

Minutes later, Bella was with Theo by the luxury car, waiting for Johnny, who didn't take long to arrive. Keeping a considerable distance, Dylan watched the three get into the car and drive away, being surprised by a female voice behind him:

“They make a beautiful family, don’t you think DK?”

"Rebeca! What are you doing here?"

“I heard your conversation with Oliver and came on your trail.”

" Go away!"

" Why? Are you afraid I’ll ruin your mediocre plan?”

“Rebeca, for years I was patient with you just because you are protected by my father, but I swear that if you get involved again I will kill you without mercy.”

“Don't you think that ruining a seemingly happy family is very cruel and selfish of you? Leave Bella alone, she chose her destiny. You gave a good push, but now it's time to let her go for good."

“I don't need your advice. I’m here to take back what’s mine.”

“None of this is yours, it never was”

" You are wrong. I have made up my mind and you don’t get to involve.”

" It's insane! That woman is no longer the same, she is full of anger and resentment.”


“Listen, she was the only woman I ever loved in my entire life, I tried my best to forget her, but I can't, I need that.”

“What if she kills you? Have you forgotten that now she knows very well who you are?”

“If Bella wanted to kill me, she would have done it today at this party without thinking, she would have told me who I really am, but she didn't do it and a ray of hope filled my heart.”

“I said it 10 years ago and I'll say it again today...you're a complete idiot and you're going to die for it.”

“If that’s the case…so be it.”