Chapter 20
That evening, Bella’s mom tapped softly on her door.”
She’d seen the news from back home, and worry was written all over her face. Sitting down beside Belia, she asked gently, “So, what’s on your mind, sweetheart?”
Bella didn’t hesitate. “There’s nothing left between Sean and me. Not now, not ever.” Her voice was steady. “As far as everyone back home is concerned, I’m gone. Maybe it’s better to let them keep believing that. If Sean found out the truth, he’d only come looking for me again.”>
Her mom nodded, a quiet relief in her eyes. “You’re probably right.”>
They chatted about little things for a while before her mom finally got up, told Bella to get some rest, and closed the door behind her.
The next few days settled into a slow, peaceful routine at the old family house. Bella played chess with her grandfather or lounged around chatting with her mom, Miranda. Life felt calm and unhurried–a welcome change.
But then, everything shifted.
One afternoon, an unexpected guest showed up: Aiden, from the Rangel family–Sean’s grandfather’s right–hand man.
After all the chaos back home, Seán had fallen seriously ill. His grandfather was running things now, and the first thing he did was send Aiden to France, loaded with expensive gifts and a formal apology for the Lopez family.”
They knew Bella’s “death” was tied to Sean, and the Rangel family was at fault, no matter how you looked at it.
Sean’s grandfather’s message was clear: he didn’t expect forgiveness–he just hoped the Lopez family wouldn’t completely turn their backs on Sean, who was already paying for his mistakes.
Aiden’s sudden arrival left Bella stunned, not sure how to react.}
Miranda was quicker, ushering Bella and her parents into the study. “Whatever happens downstairs, don’t come out,” she said firmly.
Downstairs, Aiden stood awkwardly by the sofa, bowing as he apologized to Grandpa Lopez, repeating every word his boss had told him
to say.
Grandpa Lopez didn’t answer. He didn’t even look at Aiden.
The silence was thick until Miranda came over, her face set. “Aiden, you know you’re not welcome here. Why come all this way just to make things harder for everyone?” Her words were sharp. “You’re only torturing yourselves.“>
Aiden looked even more apologetic, but he couldn’t argue. He just kept apologizing.
Miranda cut him off, waving him away. “If an apology could bring my niece back, maybe I’d listen. But it can’t. Go home. And tell the Rangel family there’s no need for any more contact between us. If you push it, you know what we’re capable of.“}
Aiden went pale, at a loss for words.
Miranda didn’t bother with him anymore. She helped Grandpa Lopez up and started toward the stairs, signaling for someone to show Aiden out.
The whole thing barely made a ripple in Bella’s life. But back home, it hit Sean’s family hard.§
When Aiden repeated Miranda’s words, Sean and his grandfather both looked stricken.
Sean’s mind was a mess. If his health wasn’t so bad, he would’ve flown straight to France, just to beg for forgiveness, even if it meant kneeling outside the Lopez family home.”
He knew they hated him, but he hadn’t realized they’d cut ties completely–wouldn’t even go visit Bella’s grave.
He got why Bella’s parents stayed away. Seeing the headstone would only make things worse, and Bella wouldn’t want that.
But Grandpa Lopez had always adored Bella. Even if he couldn’t travel far, he could have sent someone to visit her grave. The fact that he didn’t. Something about it felt off, but Sean couldn’t figure out what.
Just then, Sean’s grandfather finally broke his silence.
“When you’re feeling better, you should go to France yourself,” he said with a heavy sigh, looking at Sean with regret. “Even if they won’t see you, you should at least go and apologize. This was your mistake to begin with.”
If he’d known things would end up like this, he never would’ve let Bella marry into the family.
Sean nodded, helped his grandfather back to his room, then headed downstairs.
His assistant met him at the bottom, “Mr. Rangel, Calista wants to see you.”
The name caught Sean off guard. He had almost forgotten about her since sending her to prison a month ago.
He was about to brush it off. “I don’t want to hear about her. Whatever happens to Calista has nothing to do with me.“9
But his assistant hesitated. “She says it’s about Ms. Lopez.”
20.50
Chapter 20
At the mention of Bella, Sean stopped in his tracks.
After a long pause, he finally said, “Get the car. We’re going to the prison.”
