Chapter 79

Bella-Rose POV

"Who could it be at this time?" I asked checking the time on the wall clock. It's only breakfast time. Though it's my workday, it totally slipped my mind. And Nana understood my plight to not point out that fact.

We don't get visitors this early. Adding to the weird behavior of the family, even in my numbness, I feel like something is not right.

Mom and Nana got tensed sharing a meaningful eye lock. Scott clenched his jaw hard, making a muscle tick. Mathew looked worried... as for whom is yet to be determined, while he clutched Nana's hand in support.

Dad, however, seemed to be expecting someone as he glared at the door and said with his mouth set in a hard line to Scott, "take her upstairs."

"Wait! What's going on? Has someone come looking for me?" I asked as a small hope blossomed in my heart. Butterflies danced inside my stomach in nervousness. My eyes might have expressed the hope I felt as dad clenched his jaw harder.

What I wanted to ask dad was, has James come here looking for me! But I understand saying his name out loud is not a wise choice right now.

Maybe he can explain everything away. I'm ready to pick at the straws if it means the end to this nightmare. But how could he explain the marriage away! My traitor heart, when will it learn that what it desires is unfeasible.

"Let's go, Bella", Scott said as he grabbed my arm gently and took me up the stairs.
"Wait, Scott! Where are you taking me? Why is dad asking to hide me? What's going on here!", I hurriedly asked as I scrambled to match the pace of Scott.

"Not now Bella. We will discuss this later. For now, stay in this room and don't come down unless someone from the family calls your name", Scott said as he dragged me inside the room.
"Scott, you are scaring me. What's happening? Are we in some kind of trouble?", I asked Scott, facing him with a furrowed brow not understanding a thing.

Just then I heard a bellow from downstairs stating, "where the hell is she!"

That's... that's James. He came. He came for me. Does that mean...

"Bella, no wait. You can't go down", Scott grabbed me by my upper arms and stopped me from leaving.

"No Scott...I must... let me see him... once", I pleaded with misty eyes.

"Wake up Bella! Open your fucking eyes. He is not the man you think he is. Don't let your emotions blind you", Scott shook me hard as if it would help bring some sense into me.

"You are wrong, Scott. It's not like this", I tried to shake off his hold on me.

"You are confused, Bella. Your feelings are clouding your judgment. He is bad for you Bella."

"Let me decide that for myself, Scott. Unhand me or else I may have to hurt you"

"You will hurt your own brother for that bastard? What's wrong with you?" Scott asked with disbelief written over his face. Instead of answering his question, I choose to pose my own questions.

"No Scott, what's wrong with you? Why are you not letting me go? What's so bad about talking to him Scott?" I twisted my body making him lose his grip. I took advantage of the sudden loss of his hold and made a run for it.

"I'm not going to answer that stupid question. You are staying in this room until he leaves", Scott grabbed my left hand just as I tried to leave the room.

"No, Scott. It's James. I have to see him. I have to meet him. Surely you can understand", I struggled to release from the hold he has on me. I tried to open it with my right hand. I twisted my hand as Scott tried to tighten the grip on my hand without hurting me.

"No, Bella. It's not good. He is not the right guy. Let dad handle him", Scott tried as he matched my struggle.

"Leave my hand, Scott. Please. It's James", I begged as I looked through the door. Though I couldn't see a thing, I expect James to enter any minute through that door.

"Bella, you are not in the right mindset. You don't know the whole situation. Let the elders handle it. He will only hurt you, Bella. Don't go", Scott said as he turned to me and tried to walk inside the room.

"No!! You won't get to say it. It's my decision. Let me go Scott", I put my full force in the struggle.

"You are not thinking this through Bella", Scott pleaded.

"And you are not thinking about it enough. Will you condemn a criminal without hearing his side of the story?" I tried to reason in his language

"This is not about condemning. You don't know the whole picture, Bella. Things happened this morning. I suck at this, but Dad will explain to you better. Please understand when I say this is for your own good", Scott advised me. The guy who rarely listens to our parents' advice is trying to give one now?

"As if you have ever followed that. Don't shove that nonsense down my throat Scott. Please, let me go. He may leave otherwise", I hardened my case as I put more effort into breaking free.

"Bella, don't!! You are going to get hurt. Stop it", Scott pleaded, trying to reason with me.

We scuffled a bit until I forcefully twisted my hand, breaking free of his hold. I shoved hard in the stomach Scott which made him stumble. Taking advantage of his imbalance, I locked him inside the room. I then ran down the stairs with my heart beating faster amidst Scott's protests to open the door. I'm sorry Scott, but I have to do this. For my own peace of mind- I thought to myself as I descended the stairs.

However, I stopped in the mid-descent as I heard my dad's furious voice saying, "haven't you done enough. Leave my daughter alone"

"Never! I need to explain something to her", James said with clenched fists as he scanned the living room for me.

I can see them clearly, though I'm hidden from them from this angle. If I turned a little right or made my presence known, they would know.

James looked ruffled with bloodshot eyes, unshaven stubble, and wrinkled clothes that tell a story in itself. His hair is a mess as if he has run his hands through it many times during the night.

From his appearance, he seemed as if he hadn't slept a wink.

If he wanted to really find me then all he would have to do was make some calls. With his power and influence, he could have easily tracked my phone and locate me. But no, he stayed away for a reason.

He understood the message I sent him by staying at the hotel. He respected my desire to stay alone. Hence, he never came barging into the room. However, that's last night. Now, he looks like he is done playing by my rules.

"What? That you forgot to mention you have been married for 13 years?" Dad glowered at him as he threw that statement harshly

I came to know about it yesterday. I don't know how dad found out that information or for that matter, about James's full name. Mom only knows his first name. Who else knows? I racked my brain. Amanda!

Has Amanda told them? Of course, now I understood her worried voiceover yesterday's call.

Even if Amanda spoke with her, she doesn't know about marriage or the length of it. So, it couldn't be her. This is getting mysterious slowly.

Who told him and why? What will they gain in telling dad about James? Could it be Jacqueline? Has she come here last night and said something bad about me to them? That might explain their suppressed anger.

But I get the feeling that it is not directed towards me. Then who else? James? Why would Jacqueline come and complain only to slander her...? I couldn't finish the word. So, it's not her. Then who else knows about us?

What Scott said slowly registered in my brain. There is something going on. Something vital I'm missing.

My mind came to focus when I heard what dad's asking. For a minute I couldn't comprehend what exactly he said. But slowly, oh so slowly, each word lifted the veil under my eyes.

13 years! I felt like someone sucker punched in my gut. My feet started to wobble. I clumsily clutched the handrail for support. What remaining hope that was left in my heart, died at that moment. I covered my ears to make those words unheard alas it couldn't be done.

However, my feet couldn't cover these few steps to find out the answers. They are stuck there as if glued to the stairs. I blinked my eyes to clear the tears that are welling up. I thought I couldn't cry any more after last night. God, was I wrong? With just a few words, my eyes filled up again.
Though they were only words, they did the job of reminiscing my pain. The pain that I thought has lessened a little. What a fool I'm to hope... to believe that this could be fixed!