Chapter 81

Bella-Rose POV

Reporters of all kinds of news channels and newspapers gathered at our front door. Their respective cameraman's standing a step behind, covering the shocked faces of us.

James' body became unnaturally rigid, his expression-stony and unreadable, although if I had to take a wild guess, I would say it was tending towards ominous looking at the crowd before us.

My face blanched looking at the mob who was inching closer. What's happening? Why are they here?

The reporters shoved each other as they tried to fit in the space and extended their mikes in James's direction.

A series of photos got clicked, photographers moving around excitedly as if they won a lottery while they tried to put us both in the same frame.

Suddenly, we got bombarded with questions from the reporters from all sides at the same time.
"Mr. McKenzie, what do you have to say about your relationship with Ms. James?", asked a portly-looking guy with a notebook and pen in hand

Click.

"Ms. James, what made you go for Mr. McKenzie? Was it his money or looks? Or are you aiming for fame?", asked a female reporter as she tried to catch the eye of James even though she is asking me

Click.

"Mr. McKenzie, do you think the public will perceive you differently after this news?", questioned a serious-looking 40-something older guy in glasses.

Click.

"Ms. James, how do you feel about being a homewrecker? Do you feel any guilt?", prompted by a female reporter who gives a no-bullshit vibe.

Click.

"Mr. McKenzie, what do you have to say about the cozy photos of you and Ms. James that are everywhere on the internet? Is this a publicity stunt to get public attention after the bomb fiasco?", an old reporter asked

Click.

"Ms. James, have you felt any shame while breaking a married couple?", asked a man with a glint in his eye as if he is enjoying this slaughter

Click.

Another reporter poked this one on the ribs and replied, "of course not. Why else would she go? Girls like her go after married men for the thrill of it"

Both the reporters leered at me while a female reporter standing on the other side of them, threw a disgusting look my way.

Prickles sped up my back. I couldn't do anything but stand still as a statue during my life... my character is getting ruined with each click. It's like watching the oncoming train while standing on the tracks. You can't do anything but pray that it gets over soon.

Yet the onslaught was not finished... it was only the tip of the iceberg as they continued firing the questions at us... but mainly me.

"Ms. James, why did you target Mr. McKenzie? Have you never thought about his poor wife back home while trapping him?", a female reporter sneered at me as if disgusted to even talk to me

"Ms. James, have you intentionally, with a plan, broke Mr. McKenzie's home?", the older reported drilled

"Ms. James, what does your family say about your affair? Does your father support this? Can we conclude from your silence that your father encouraged you?", the no-nonsense female reporter queried

"Being a lawman, how can he encourage his daughter for adultery? Can we presume he is corrupt then?"

"Has your family, with a full-proof plan, went after the big fish to fry? Or is this your solo?"
"Ms. James, what are the privileges of a kept woman? Could you explain to our viewers?", one of the leering guys posed.

"Ma. James, how often does Mr. McKenzie visit you? Does he come bearing any gifts?"

"Mr. McKenzie, what made you turn towards Ms. James? Was it her body? Is she any good? How much do you pay her for her services rendered?", the other leery guy prompted smirking at James

The surrounding reporters laughed as if he has shared a funny joke.

'No' the single word echoed from me in vehemence. I felt as if I punched in my gut and any words that may have been trying to escape my lips died in my throat.

I'm stuck in a nightmare that has taken a sinister form and doesn't know how to wake myself up.
James however came unglued at their lurid remarks and swiftly shut the door on their faces.
However, the damage has been done. Within a few seconds... with just a few questions... my world has come undone. There was no time to react. No time to prepare... to alert. It was like hot burning oil had been poured over me.

"Mr. McKenzie!"

"Ms. James!", shouted the reporters from the other side to get our attention.

Dad and Scott came barging into the living room hearing the chaos. Mom swiftly followed and tried to hug me. However, I was in no condition to move my body. Breathing became difficult to me as each word... each question took a wraith form and jabbed me from all sides. Tears wouldn't come to me even if I try. My body became a shell as I watched my family surround James.

Dad went directly to James, grabbing his collar, and pushed him forcefully to the wall beside the front door. And James let him. He didn't protest. He could have easily outweighed dad if he wanted to.

Scott tried to follow dad but Nana grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Let him do the talking Scott."

Scott looked angry, ready to wring his neck if given the chance, but he respected Nana's decision and kept quiet. However, he taunted James silently by cracking his knuckles and glaring at him.
"This is all you're doing. If you hadn't come here, they wouldn't have followed you. Now, look at what you have done. My daughter's life has become a laughing stock because of you. Why must you come here? Weren't you satisfied with the morning ruckus you made? You have to malign her name too", dad growled his face getting closer to James in anger.

James however remained blank-faced as he said vehemently, "I will set this right. Not a word will be printed... not a picture will be seen by others. I promise"

"You can wipe the slate clean with your money but can you wipe it from Bella's mind? Can you undo the trauma she is going to face in the hands of the world? You may be a mere catalyst... or the puppeteer behind this whole fiasco. I don't care what role you played in this. I want you to leave and never come back", dad said dominantly.

"I can't. I can't leave Bella", James said, his eyes meeting mine searching for something... what, I'm in no condition to find out. Though I was looking in their direction, nothing registered in my brain.


"You don't have a choice. Let her be. Because of you, she had gone through the pain she never heard of. Yet more is to come. If not for the press outside I would have taken out my gun and had shot you right now", dad said with a flushed face.

"What did I say about threatening me, officer?” James, instead of backing down, waved the red flag before dad.

"And I don't give a fuck about what you have to say. My daughter's reputation is in tatters because of you. People are calling her names. Doesn't it bother you that you have ruined an innocent's life?", dad asked, cocking his head sideways.

"I-", for once James is at a loss for words.

"No. You lost the chance to put forth your side James McKenzie. You can't change what's done... at least have the decency to not damage her future more than it can be. Leave her and never come back. This is my final warning", dad shoved him hard enough to leave a bruise on his back.

"William, that's enough", Mathew held dad's arm and pulled him back.

James, who has clinched his fists to control his anger, looked directly at me and said with ardent fervor, "I will set this right, little red. I promise. And I will come back for you. Never doubt that. Nothing and no one is going to part us. Remember that"

"Why you-", Scott took a step in James's direction, but Nana's grip was firm.

"Don't Scott", Nana stopped him and turned to James.

"Though I respect your loyalty towards my granddaughter Mr. McKenzie, I believe it's not the right time to dwell on it. Please do as my son says. Bella needs space now, not attention. If you understand my meaning, kindly leave", she advised in a calm manner that can only come with age.

James gave me one last look and left the house. After a few minutes, the sound from outside lessened and the mob dispersed.

I, however, am still rooted to the spot, my mind replaying each disgusting word.

"Don't listen to any of those words honey. They are just trying to get some reaction out of you", Nana said as she cuddled my hands in hers.

"Don't let them get you, Bella. You are stronger than that", Mom added.

"Let's give her some space. This all must be overwhelming her. Let her breath", Mathew said to others as he gazed worriedly at me.

"Yes... let me take her to her room”, Mom replied and gently maneuvered me towards upstairs. I have no knowledge of how my legs moved. How I was able to cooperate. I was on autopilot... doing as instructed.

Once in the room, Mom looked sympathetically at me and asked, "honey, do you need some water? You want to speak... or vent out?"

I sat on the bed like a rock... my lips are unmoving.

"Why don't you lie down for a while? Once you have some sleep, maybe we can talk then?" Mom asked hopefully

Looking at my unresponsive posture, Mom gave a sigh and gently laid me back. She then covered me in a blanket and left the room.

My brain slowly analyzed the morning fiasco as I turned and watched outside through the windows. Dad has said something about morning news to James.

What could it be? With my heart in my throat, sweat trickling my spine, I slowly unlocked my phone with shaky hands and typed my name.

Suddenly, link after link appeared on the search. I read each link one after another with preciseness not leaving a word out of it. Once I covered every site, I carefully placed the phone beside the desk and laid on the bed once again.

"Slut!"

"Whore!"

"Home-wrecker!"

"Man-stealer!"

"Bitch!"

"Cheap!"

"Kept woman!"

"Mistress!"

"Prostitute!"

This and many more. I read words from people who don't know me. Who doesn't have any idea about me? But every single person is ready to pass judgment.

I couldn't fathom how they had acquired my high school photo, but they did. The photo where I looked my most hideous. One of the links highlighted my deficiencies while the other compared my body's proportions to HER'S.

Obviously, I was lacking the required measurements. They dissected my past... my body... my family... my character. In short, everything about me. Every link pointed out the same thing at the end what has James seen in me? How could I have trapped him?

Words... I learned that they have more power than they appear to be. With his words, James made me fall in his love... Jacqueline shattered my world... Now the world is slandering my character in the mud with them.

Do I need this Emotional tribulation? I gave him every piece of me yet this is how he repaid it.
I don't know how long I laid there looking at the ceiling, my eyes dry as a dessert but it must have been long as the sun's fiery rays turned harsh making it known that it's mid-afternoon.

James McKenzie... he didn't just break my heart... he shattered it into so many tiny pieces that it could never be made whole again.