Chapter 8: Isabella’s phone number?
The registration process unfolded seamlessly as both Theodore and Bella signed their names, finalizing their contractual marriage. However, Theodore’s expression shifted suddenly as his gaze fell on Bella’s full name written on the document. A furrow appeared between his brows.
’Isabella,’ he mouthed silently, surprise flickering across his face. ’Is she the one who saved me?’ he wondered with astonishment, his keen eyes studying her closely.
A hazy image flickered in his mind - a cascade of golden hair and those blue eyes. Frustration gnawed at him. Only if he had seen her face clearly, his confusion would have been cleared up.
As if sensing his scrutiny, Bella met his gaze. Theodore’s heart fluttered in his chest. For a fleeting moment, he was struck by a sense of familiarity, a nagging feeling that he had seen those eyes before.
’Isabella...’ The name echoed silently in his mind.
Before he could dwell further on his thoughts, Bella’s voice broke through the silence, jolting him out of his reverie. "It’s done," she announced, rising from her seat. "Shall we leave? I am running late for work." With that, she swept toward the exit, leaving Theodore momentarily speechless.
He scrambled after her, his long legs easily matching her pace. Anticipation thrummed through him, a live wire buzzing beneath his skin. As they stepped out into the crisp morning air, he finally found his voice.
"Your name is Isabella, but everyone calls you Bella? I think Isabella sounds better. Don’t you think so?" He peeked at her from the corner of his eye, curiosity sparkling in his gaze.
Bella’s confident stride faltered as Theodore’s words hit her. A flicker of panic danced in her eyes, and a wave of unsettling memories crashed over her, twisting her stomach unpleasantly.
A year ago, she had fled her hometown with her mother, escaping loan sharks. Since then, she had buried her name ’Isabella’ in the documents and introduced herself as Bella.