"Sorry, Sean. I can’t unless you make your parents accept me and my son sincerely!"
Suddenly, Sean’s gloomy eyes lit up. "Are you serious? Will you marry me if they agree?"
"Yes, you have my word," Bella replied with a smile as she watched him rise from his seat and approach her.
"Thank you, Bella," Sean said as he sat beside her and pulled her into his arms. Bella was surprised, but she didn’t refuse. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him back.
Sean smiled as he said, "Please wait for me. I will convince them to accept you and Daxton."
The smile on her face slowly faded when she remembered her son. If Tristan learned about Dax and knew she would marry Sean, Tristan would probably do something to make things difficult for them, right?
Bella pushed Sean away. When she saw the confusion in his eyes, she immediately asked, "Sean, do you know who Dax’s father is?"
"Bells, maybe you won’t believe it, but I don’t know who he is. Even though several times I wanted to investigate your ex-husband," Sean smiled awkwardly. This was the first time they talked about this matter.
Sean noticed that Bella was silent and didn’t respond to his words.
So, he continues saying, "I’m so curious to know about the man who traumatized you and made you hesitate to remarry. Does he come from a rich and influential family? Can you tell me who he is?"
Bella appeared calm, though inside, she was anxious. "Dax’s father is Tristan Sinclair," she said, gazing into his eyes. She was curious if Sean knew Tristan.
Sean feels as if he was struck by lightning upon hearing the name. He curses inwardly, frustrated that of all the rich and influential men in the country, it had to be Tristan Sinclair.
"Did you know him?" Bella could see the trace of anger in Sean’s gaze.
After trying to hide his annoyance and anger, Sean nods to respond.
"Yeah, I know him, but not that close. Well, you could say everyone in this country knows him." Sean said calmly, but inside, he felt like a hurricane was brewing.
"Indeed," was the only word she managed to say, feeling awkward talking about her ex-husband with the man who loved her.
After a long silence, Sean said, "But my parent might know him slightly better. I remember Tristan Sinclair invited my parents to his wedding. So that must’ve been your wedding... And I remember my parents attended the private party—" his voice trailed off when he saw Bella’s face turn dark.
Bella slowly lowered her head to avoid his gaze.
After some time, she said, "Sean, this is why I couldn’t accept your feelings earlier and avoided whenever you asked me about this matter. Because I knew the chance for your parents to accept me was none. They even came to my wedding, so they must have seen my face... how funny would it be if they knew that you now want to marry me? The ex Mrs. Sinclair—"
Bella paused momentarily to take a deep breath before continuing her words. "I’m a single mother. Tristan’s ex-wife. If he invites your parents to our wedding, it means... he is quite close to your family, right?"
Bella remembers that when she married, only a few people attended, all of whom were their closest family. If Tristan invites Sean’s parents, it means he already considers Sean’s parents to be his family.
Thinking about all of that was enough to make her feel a headache.
Sean’s heart sank hearing her words. But he tries not to show it to her. He squeezed her hand gently as if to encourage her and let her know he would handle everything.
However, Sean saw her lower her head, avoiding his gaze. Afraid, she cried again. Sean tilted his head to meet her gaze.
"Bells, do you love me?" He asked.
Bella was surprised to hear his question. She never really told him about her deepest feelings.
She did not respond to the question because she would lie if she nodded.
Sean smiled bitterly when she didn’t respond.
"Is there any chance for you to love me?" He asked again.
She nods.
’Well, at least she didn’t push me away,’ he tried to comfort his heart.
"Could you please look at me, Bella?" Sean’s soft voice sounded like a request rather than a command, and Bella immediately turned to face him.
Bella could only smile back at him when she saw his genuine, warm-looking smile.
"As long as you give me time to convince them, we will definitely be together," he said. With his other hand, he gently stroked her blushing cheek. "Please be patient, waiting for me, can you!?"
"Hmm, I’ll wait," Bella whispered softly. It was the first time she had found the courage to open her wounded heart again. She didn’t know the future for them, but she was willing to try. Maybe this time, God would bless her with the true and long-lasting romantic fate she had been waiting for.
With warm eyes, Sean cast a lingering gaze over her face before kissing her right on her warm lips.
After so many years, this was the first time Bella shared a kiss romantically with a man she liked and could even fall in love with. The man who could flatter her cold heart.
Her cheeks turned red like a lovesick teenager. Bella couldn’t help but notice how strange it was.
"You look cute, Bells... it makes me forget that you’re a 31-year-old single mother with one child," Sean teased, making Bella cup her cheeks with both hands.
"Oh, come on, Sean Spencer! Stop teasing me!" she said, narrowing her eyes at him. "Mr. Spencer, you should figure out how to approach your parents. I know it won’t be easy for you to convince them," she reminded him of his challenging task ahead.
Instantly, Sean’s mischievous smile disappeared. He rested his head on the sofa, with his face looking at the crystal chandelier hanging above.
"If... only my mother allows us to get married, will you accept?" Sean asked, his eyes still on the ceiling.