’Seriously, has Tristan lived here for a long time?’ Bella muttered in her heart while looking around. ’Why does this house look new?’
She put aside her curiosity as she continued walking to follow Geoffrey.
However, she didn’t see Tristan when they arrived at the living room. And Geoffrey also kept walking, passing the room.
Before Bella could ask, Geoffrey walked toward the stairs leading to the second floor.
Suddenly, Bella’s steps stopped.
’Why did Geoffrey lead me to the second floor?’ Bella wondered. She knew the second floor was usually a private area for the homeowner.
’Did Tristan want to talk to me in his bedroom? Has he gone insane!?’ She hesitated to follow Geoffrey.
She just stared at him, who was already halfway up the stairs. Her hands clenched into tight fists, regretting following Tristan to this place.
"Young Madam!?"
Bella turned to Geoffrey and saw him smile at her. She tried to say something but hesitated.
Geoffrey could see worry flash through Bella’s eyes. He said in his calm tone, "Master Tristan is waiting for you in his study. He prefers to talk to you in a private place..."
She silently swallowed while dismissing her negative thoughts and started to climb the stairs. At the same time, she tried to adjust her expression so as not to show her nervousness.
Soon, they both stood before the massive wooden door. Geoffrey opened the door for her.
After Bella entered the room, Geoffrey left to let them chat.
...
Bella noted the room looked austere, with only a few pieces of furniture typical of a home office.
She spotted Tristan already seated on the black leather sofa facing her.
He smiles warmly at her before saying, "Come, join me—"
Approaching him, Bella settled opposite him on a single sofa.
As worry flashed through his eyes, she couldn’t resist asking, "Why do you look worried when I’m the one who is supposed to be showing that emotion?"
Tristan was stunned by her words. Instantly, a faint smile graced his handsome, calm face.
He didn’t rush to respond but instead admired her beauty with his gaze.
They had never been this close or engaged in such an intense conversation during their marriage, a fact that filled him with regret.
He only saw her when he needed to fulfill his role as a man who wanted his wife to get pregnant.
Why hadn’t he appreciated her beauty before?
Why had he not returned her love?
So many ’WHYs’ plagued his mind since she left. And he was too foolish to realize it all when she was gone.
’Sigh!’
Tristan silently took a deep breath, trying to push aside his past self. He hates his past self and longs for the opportunity to go back and make things right from the start.
But all that is not possible.
Now, all he can do is win her heart back and make her fall in love with him again.
A warm smile graced his lips as he finally spoke, "You look pretty today, Bella…"
’Oh, boy… here comes shameless Tristan,’ Bella mumbled under her breath while trying to maintain her calmness and not sway with his cheesiness lines.
She ignores his words.
"Did you happen to check the internet today?" she asked.
Bella knew why he had appeared before her; it must be related to her encounter with his mother and his woman at Sushi Tei Restaurant.
Slowly, Tristan’s smile faded upon hearing her words.
"I’m sorry if my mother offended you, Bella..." his sincere tone was enough to convince Bella. Still, she remained silent, offering only a smile.
"Bella, I promise you, I will ensure that kind of thing never happens in the future. My mother will never appear before you again."
"Thank you, Tristan. But my concern now was your mother. I hope she never appears before my son—"
"Our son, Bella," he interjected.
Bella swallowed but didn’t correct him.
"Tristan, I’m worried," her hands clenched. "If… one day your mother were to discover Dax, I wouldn’t want her to act as shamelessly as she did today. Can you promise me that?"
Her words surprised him. Tristan never imagined his mother knew about Dax, but he understood her concerns.
"Of course, Bella. You are my wife, and Dax is my son. I will protect you. No one will harm you both… not even my mother."
She sighed deeply.
"I’m not your wife. Please be serious, Tristan!"
"I’m serious. You are my woman; of course, I will protect you."
"Oh my..." Bella was rendered speechless hearing this shameless man’s words. Why did he insist on calling her ’WIFE’? They are already divorced.
"Mr. Sinclair, did someone hit you on the head, so you forgot that we were divorced?"
Tristan, "..."
"Wow... seriously!? Is it true that someone hit you, and now you experience something called memory loss?"
Tristan, "..."
Bella chuckled before she continued. "Alright, let me remind you. Mr. Sinclair, we’re divorced. I still remember you are the one who sent a lawyer to force me to sign the divorce papers. Now tell me, was I wrong?"
Bella stared intently into his deep blue eyes, looking for traces of whether this man was joking or serious, but again, his calmness puzzled her.
She frowned, waiting for him to respond.
"Yes. You are right. But you are also wrong. Because I never submitted our divorce paper to the court. So, we are still husband and wife, Bella Donovan..." Tristan wanted to say that. But then, he decided not to.
He didn’t want to force her to get her back into his arms. No. He wanted her to be in love with him again and willingly back into his arms.
Tristan was about to speak but was interrupted by Bella.
"You should not be concerned about me, Tristan. I’m independent now, and I don’t need your protection. All I need from you is that you promise me... your mother or father will never try to take our son from me..." her voice trembles.