Chapter 2
Bella dragged herself out of bed, her whole body aching with exhaustion as she made her way to the hospital.}
When she pushed open the door, her mother Candace was still asleep. Her skin looked almost translucent, her breathing steady but so faint under the oxygen mask. Bella stood quietly at the bedside, staring at her mother’s frail frame swallowed by the hospital gown, her throat tight with unshed tears.)
“Bella.”
She turned around abruptly to see her father Michael standing in the doorway, looking as if he’d just run a marathon. His suit was wrinkled, the tie hanging loose–he must have flown straight here from overseas.}
“Dad…” Bella’s voice cracked. Her legs gave out and she sank to her knees. “I’m sorry… This is all my fault…“)
Michael rushed over and pulled her up, not caring about anything but her. “Get up! The floor’s freezing cold. What are you doing down there?”
His hand was rough and warm, but she could feel it trembling. “It’s not your fault. None of this is on you.“>
Bella lowered her head, tears dripping onto the floor.
Michael sighed, rubbing her back in comfort. “Sean asked for your hand. He said he’d loved you for years…“}
He sounded so lost. “How did things fall apart so fast?“}
Yeah. Everyone had always known Sean loved her. So why did everything feel so different now?}
“Dad,” Bella took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. “I’ve thought it through. I want to divorce Sean. Our business is already moving overseas. Since things have come to this, let’s just leave. All of us.”
Michael didn’t say anything for a long while. His gaze lingered between her and Candace lying in the bed. Finally, he spoke, his voice tired and heavy. “You really don’t love him anymore?“}
Bella’s nails dug so hard into her palms that she broke the skin, but she didn’t feel a thing.}
“After what he did to Mom…” Her voice was barely audible, fluttering away like a dying leaf. “How am I supposed to love him after that?”
Michael was silent for a moment longer, then let out a long, weary sigh, like he’d finally made up his mind. “Alright. Maybe leaving is a better idea.“D
He squeezed her shoulder. “Go handle the paperwork. I’ll stay with your mom.”
Bella nodded, eyes rimmed with red, and left the room.
1
The immigration process was smooth–almost too easy. When she walked outside, the sunlight was so bright it made her squint.
Standing on the curb, she felt like she was floating, like none of this was real.
It was finally over.”
Just then, the screech of brakes tore through the air.
“Watch out–!“D
Before she could turn, something slammed into her, hard. The world spun, and everything went black.
Bella woke up to a sharp, burning pain. The first thing she saw was Sean’s face, cold and expressionless, staring down at her.
He stared at her with obvious disgust. “Bella, are you doing this on purpose?“}
“Calista gets in an accident and now you’re trying to pull the same stunt?” He let out a bitter laugh, his words like ice. “Let’s get something straight. We’re married for business, not love. No matter what you do, you won’t be her. I don’t have time for this.” Bella opened her mouth to defend herself, but before she could say anything, the hospital door swung open.
“Mr. Rangel, here’s the soup you asked for,” his assistant said, handing him a takeout box.
Sean took it, flipped the lid open, and instantly frowned. “Why is this seafood soup?”
He sounded irritated. “She’s allergic to seafood. Go get something else.”
The words hit Bella like a jolt of electricity.
In her last life, it wasn’t until their second year of marriage that she’d had an allergic reaction, and that’s when Sean found out.
But now, they’d only been married a year.
Remembering the way he’d been acting lately, the sudden distance, the way he seemed to favor Calista, that cold, heartless “When did! ever love you?” a terrifying, impossible thought flashed through Bella’s mind, making her whole body tremble.
Sean. Her voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like her own. “Did you… Did you get reborn, too?“2
DIESER CLAY A PARA ENE
