Tristan smiled at her words. He could see she was no longer as irritated as before.
"How’s your first day?"
Tristan couldn’t stop thinking about her all day but was too afraid to call. He didn’t want to risk bothering her, afraid she would be in a bad mood.
Bella faintly smiles at his question. Her first day felt like a rollercoaster because Laura’s manager succeeded in ruining her mood early in the morning.
"Well, your woman, Ms. Kiels, gives me a headache—" Bella stopped her words when she saw Tristan’s displeased expression.
Tristan pressed the button, and slowly, a divider appeared, separating them from the front row.
After making sure they were safe to speak without the driver, the bodyguard could hear them. Tristan turned to see Bella, his serious gaze surprising her.
"Bella, please. How many times should I tell you that I don’t have a relationship with that woman? What should I do to make you believe it?"
"You don’t have to do anything or explain. I’m just saying what I saw..."
The lines on Tristan’s forehead became increasingly visible hearing her words.
"What exactly do you see to assume I have a relationship with her? Please tell me so I can understand and clarify for you."
Tristan felt confused because her accusation was utterly baseless. He is not related to Laura Kiels, as she believes.
Bella looked out the window, trying to calm her upset heart. She remembered when she wanted to forgive Tristan and tell him about her pregnancy; she heard Tristan had visited Promise Hospital with Laura Kiels.
"Bella, please..." Tristan’s voice sounded closer to her ear. She turned around and saw his face only inches from hers.
Too close, she could feel his fresh, minty breath brushing her face.
Instantly, her heart beat loudly. She was frozen for a few seconds before pulling her head away from him.
"T-Tristan, please sit properly," Bella stammered, trying to control her calmness, but her nervous voice betrayed her.
"I’ll tell you when you’re sitting properly," she continued when she saw Tristan not budging.
After seeing him sitting properly again, Bella told him about what she had heard and seen on CCTV that day at Promise Hospital.
Tristan was shocked to hear Bella’s words. He tried to say something, but Bella stopped him.
"Did you know, Tristan? At that time, before I heard what the nurses were gossiping about, I intended to contact you to tell you about my pregnancy. But I change my mind..."
"Bella—" Tristan feels suffocated to continue his words.
"There’s no point for me to tell you about my pregnancy because that woman is also pregnant. You and your mother chose her," a soft chuckle escaped Bella’s lips before continuing her words. "I left this country for my sanity and my child—"
Bella lowered her gaze to hide her teary eyes. She didn’t want to make him witness her sadness.
While Tristan,
He was lost in thought, remembering what had happened that day. He never expected that day Bella would be rushed to the emergency room after he had spoken hurtfully to her.
Tristan could no longer contain his emotions. He drew nearer to her and embraced her tightly, even though he felt Bella pushing him away.
Bella was shocked.
"Let me go, Tristan Sinclair!" she shouted, annoyed. However, after her struggles failed and she felt Tristan’s body tremble, she ceased pushing him.
’Is he crying? Why... Why did he cry!?’
Bella couldn’t believe this man could cry, too.
After a few more minutes passed, when she felt he no longer tremble, and no sobs could be heard. Bella pushed him again, but Tristan tightened his embrace, causing her to sigh deeply.
"Tristan, you promised me you would never do this again, but—"
"Please, just this time. Let me hug you. Just this time..." Tristan’s voice sounded shaky, making Bella’s annoyance slowly melt. "I’m sorry, Bella. I’m sorry if I hurt you..."
The harsh words he said to Bella when she finally decided to sign the divorce papers began to flood his mind again. Torture him. He would never forgive himself for doing that to her. Never!
"Please, Tristan... stop apologizing for what happened in the past! I told you before to forget about it. I’m tired of remembering all that!"
"I know. But I vow to myself that I will never forget that moment. I want to keep remembering it as a form of punishment for hurting you, Bella," he whispers.
Bella, "...."
"Well, I like your idea, Tristan. But, can you not include me?"
Tristan abruptly released his hug and placed his hand on Bella’s shoulder before he asked, "What do you mean?" He looks at her with a puzzled expression
"My heart hurts again every time I remember those moments. So, please, stop reminding me of those painful memories..." Her eyes trembled slightly, meeting his worried gaze.
He quickly nodded, agreeing with her.
"Bella, I need to explain what happened. I don’t want you to misunderstand."
"Oh my god, why do you insist?" She sighed and tried to hide her annoyance on her face by looking away.
"Bella, please listen to me first. I must clarify because what you think about me was completely wrong."
Tristan smiled bitterly as he watched Bella avoid him. He pulled out his laptop from his briefcase.
He was busy looking for something there, making Bella curious to see what he was doing. She glanced at him and was surprised to see him open a video.
"Okay, if you don’t believe me, you can see this CCTV footage." Tristan pointed his laptop screen at Bella before he pressed ’PLAY’ on the video.
Not saying a word, Bella watched the CCTV video recording.
She was confused when she saw footage of a luxury hotel corridor.
Before Bella could ask Tristan, she was shocked to see Laura Kiels in a tight gown, barely covering her sexy body, staggering like a drunk person. She stopped before the door and took the keys from her bag. After struggling to open the door, she finally disappeared behind the door.
Not long after, Tristan, who looked drunk, walked in the same corridor.
Bella’s expression slowly changed.