Chapter 82: I am married.
Relief and excitement washed over Bella as her meeting with Joshua concluded successfully. Finally, she could showcase her designs! She couldn’t wait to share it with Theodore.
She reached for her phone, ready to dial his number, when the screen lit up with Mrs. Green’s name.
A knot of guilt tightened in Bella’s stomach. She hadn’t checked in on the kind old lady since the incident. As the name stared back at her, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. What could she possibly say?
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she swiped the answer button and pressed the phone to her ear. "Hello, Mrs. Green," she greeted, forcing a smile into her voice. "I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to visit. You’re not mad at me, are you?"
"No, dear, not at all," Mrs. Green’s voice soothed. "I heard everything that happened. I’m just thankful you are safe. But there is something I need to tell you."
The cheer in Bella’s voice evaporated, replaced by a prickle of apprehension at the sudden seriousness in Mrs. Green’s tone. Her brow pinched as she sensed something was wrong.
"Your stepfather," Mrs. Green began gravely, "he has been released from jail. He created quite a scene here and even tried to break into your house. Luckily, with the help of some neighbors, we were able to stop him."
With a wary sigh, she continued, "He demanded your current address, but I refused to tell him a thing. I know it’s only a matter of time before he finds you on his own, Bella. You need to be careful. He is furious."
Bella’s heart plummeted to her stomach. She knew all too well the depths of her stepfather’s rage. A tremor ran through her fingers, but she forced herself to remain calm.
’He couldn’t control me any longer.’ She told herself not to be afraid of that man.