She narrowed her eyes, staring at Tristan, who was now busy looking at her hair.
After a few more seconds passed, she called him.
"Tristan…" she called out urgently, her voice tinged with concern. "In the past, when Laura Kiels’ buzzer created romantic articles or comments on social media about you and her, why did you never stop them all? You seem to let the gossip spread...and enjoy it!"
Tristan’s hand, which was in the air, froze as if time had stopped. His eyes widened slightly, a mixture of shock and guilt flashing, but he didn’t say anything.
Before long, Bella was the one who broke the silence.
"So, you enjoyed it when A-Nezt thought you two were dating?" Bella said casually, but her heart felt slightly sour hearing her words. She lowered her eyes, avoiding Tristan’s gaze.
Tristan didn’t rush to answer her but instead smiled, looking at his wife, who lowered her gaze. He turned off the hair dryer and put it on the vanity table.
"Your hair is done..." He gently scooped her into his arms and carried her to their bed, his eyes filled with love looking at her.
Bella was caught off guard; suddenly, she was in his arms. She crossed her arms around his neck and smiled back at him.
After Tristan put her on the bed, Bella slipped under the covers while looking at Tristan, climbed up next to her, and joined her under the cover. Their eyes were still locked on each other before he pulled her closer.
They were so close that Bella felt Tristan’s every warm breath brush her face. She blinked a few times, waiting for him to say something.
"Ms. Sinclair, are you jealous because of the rumors?"
Bella was stunned. She didn’t expect him to ask her such a question. A faint smile slowly appeared on her lips as she shook her head slightly.
"You seem so confident, Mr. Sinclair. Even though I used to love you so much, I have not cared about you for even a bit since we separated, and I thanked Dax for that," she said casually.
Tristan felt bitter after hearing her words but couldn’t say anything because he knew why she felt that way.
Looking at his miserable gaze, Bella felt amused; she continued, "So, you are wrong, Mr. Sinclair... I am not jealous at all. I just want to know your reason for letting the news spread like wildfire."
"You know what, darling? Your words had successfully hit me right in my heart..." he said, leaning closer and kissing her forehead lovingly.
Bella, "..."
After he looks into her eyes again, he asks curiously, "How about now? Did you start to love me again?"
Even now, Bella has returned to him, Tristan never hears Bella express her deep feelings or say, "I love you..."
"I won’t answer until you tell me your reason," Bella playfully teased, her finger tracing along his delicate nose with a grin. "So, spill it first, sir..."
Tristan chuckled at the sight of his adorable wife, resisting the urge to kiss her once more. He restrained himself, not wanting to risk her anger, especially when he saw her genuinely curious expression.
"Alright, if my wife is so eager to know, I’ll be honest now...I will tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God," Tristan said, his hand finding her cheek and stroking it gently.
Bella remained silent.
"Well, it’s just that... I want to ensure my mother doesn’t attempt any more schemes to cause trouble; you know what I mean, right? You know well how cunningly evil she can be."
When he saw Bella nod, he continued, "So, I asked Max not to intervene and let the gossip news spread. That’s my reason. My only reason. So…My dear wife, are you satisfied with my reason?"
Bella brushed off his playful question, responding only with a smile.
In truth, Bella had already figured out Tristan’s motive. He wouldn’t have allowed the rumors to spread if it didn’t serve his purposes. Apparently, he wanted to end his mother’s interference in his love life, so he let the rumors persist.
’Wait! His mother... Jessica Sinclair...’ The mere thought of Jessica Sinclair made Bella’s stomach churn. ’Jessica Sinclair, I hope you’ll stop bothering me. Perhaps with age, you’ll gain wisdom and serenity...’
Despite having borne a Sinclair heir, Bella still worries that Jessica might despise and reject her. She knew Jessica harbored a hidden agenda against her. Jessica resented her so much that she sought to expel her from the Sinclair family because she was the only person with knowledge of a truth that, if published correctly, could tarnish Jessica’s image forever.
Bella silently sighed, burying her face in Tristan’s firm chest.
...
Silence.
Tristan waited for Bella to speak, but after several minutes passed, she made no sound or movement in his embrace.
"Are you asleep?" he whispered softly, fearing to disturb her sleep.
"Hmm..." Bella murmured, barely audibly. Feeling drowsy and disinclined to continue the conversation. She was wary of revealing her thoughts about his mother.
She knew it wouldn’t be easy for Tristan to defy his mother for her and Dax’s sake. She didn’t want to burden him with her knowledge about his mother. So she decided to keep it to herself until the right moment presented itself or perhaps take the secret to her grave.
"Goodnight, darling..." Tristan whispered, embracing her tightly before closing his eyes.
****
The Next day.
The black Rolls Roys Phantom stopped in front of the Quantum Capital Lobby.
"My wife, I know you will be busy all day. But please don’t forget to eat lunch and call me every hour, okay?"
Tristan was still holding Bella’s hand. He seemed reluctant to let her out of the car.
Bella couldn’t help but smile at his words. How many times has he said that?
"Hmm, I will. You too...don’t forget your lunch."
"Sure! As long as you call me, I won’t forget."
Bella, "..."