Chapter 4
'So they've been together for three years?' Bella thought, her mind reeling.
Yet she and Kevin had only been married for not even five.
She remembered Kevin mentioning a new secretary back then, dropping hints about how the woman "kinda looked like" Bella.
'So he had already fallen for someone else at that time?' Bella wondered, her heart sinking.
"Kevin, why do you even like me? Why be with me at all? Everyone says you're crazy about Bella. I thought so, too," Alina murmured.
In the dim light, Kevin lifted Alina's chin and replied lightly, "Maybe it's because you look like who she used to be. The old Bella was bright, bubbly, confident. She's changed too much. Being with her now? It exhausts me."
Bella felt that sentence prick her heart. It hurt, yet the pain felt strangely faint.
She stared at the man who looked so tender, and her mind pulled her back to the day she went blind. She'd been so terrified, hiding under the blankets, too scared to let him see her like that.
She had tried to break up then, insisting she didn't want to ruin his life.
Kevin had held her tightly, voice trembling as he said, "Bella, you lost your sight because of me. No matter what happens to you, I'll love you. I'll never look down on you."
She had looked up at him with tears on her lashes. "But I'm not good enough for you anymore."
"You're the one who deserves everything. I'm the one who doesn't deserve you, my Bella"
"I'm scared you'll get tired."
"I won't. I love you most. I could never get tired."
But now, he was exhausted. His heart belonged to Alina instead.
That night, Kevin and Alina went at it again and again, and Bella stood silently outside the door.
When the noises finally died down, she was about to head back to her room when the door swung open, then shut again.
Alina stepped out in a skimpy lace nightgown. When she saw Bella, a mocking smile curled across her lips. "Well, look at that. I didn't know you liked eavesdropping, Bella. So? Enjoy the show?"
Bella lifted her eyes, met that smug face, and slapped her across the cheek. "I didn't know you like stealing husbands."
Alina narrowed her eyes, scanning Bella. "So you know everything? Don't tell me you can actually see now?"
Bella walked toward her, step by slow step, until Alina's back hit the wall. Only then did she lean in and say, word by word, "Yes. I can see."
"You really can see? I'm telling Kevin!"
Alina's face went pale. She turned to run, but Bella grabbed her.
"Before you tell Kevin, you and I have a little debt to settle. Alina, you know what happens to someone who plays the other woman?" Bella's voice was cold as ice.
"What do you want?" Alina stammered, her voice trembling.
Even though Bella's vision was still blurry, the cold fury in her eyes made Alina tremble.
Alina pressed a hand over her belly, puffing up her voice. "I'm pregnant. Kevin's child. Three months. If you dare touch me, Kevin will never let you go."
"Oh yeah? Then go ahead. Try me," Bella shot back, her voice icy.
She slapped her again without hesitation.
"Ah!" Alina clutched her reddening cheek, shaking with rage. "You hit me again? Bella, I swear I'll kill you!"
She lunged, but Bella sidestepped. Alina lost her balance and tumbled backward.
The crash woke the whole villa. The staff rushed out, gasping at the sight of Alina rolling down the stairs and collapsing onto the living room floor.
Only Bella stood motionless at the top, expression blank.
"Ms. Cross? Are you alright?" one of the servants called out, rushing over.
"My belly… it hurts!" Alina curled forward, face contorted. "Get Kevin. Take me to a hospital."
"Ms. Cross, you're bleeding!" the servant shouted, panic in their voice.