Chapter 150: The conspiracy under the shadows.
Bella returned home with a heavy heart, her mood somber and thoughts weighed down by her conversation with her mother. She collapsed onto the sofa, her mind swirling with unanswered questions about her father.
She had tried to pry out even the smallest details—his name, his origins—but Selena had remained tight-lipped, refusing to reveal anything. In the end, Bella was left in the dark, knowing nothing about the man who had abandoned them. She had even promised her mother she would stop searching for him, but the emptiness gnawed at her.
Leaning forward, she covered her face with her hands, her elbows resting on her knees as the frustration and sorrow threatened to overwhelm her.
The door clicked open, and Theodore entered the room.
Bella slowly lowered her hands and looked up, weariness seeping into her appearance. Her eyes, still glistening from recent tears, met his, revealing the depth of her anguish.
Theodore’s heart tightened at the sight. Without a word, he sat beside her and pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
"I am here now," he said. "Don’t cry."
Bella melted into his embrace, resting her head against his chest. The warmth of his body was a comfort she desperately needed. She felt she was lucky to have him. Theodore wasn’t like her father. He was dependable, loving, and unwavering. He would never abandon her.
"I won’t cry," she whispered.
Theodore gently cupped her face, tilting it up so he could look into her eyes. "Are you sure you are okay?" he asked, his gaze searching hers, trying to understand the storm of emotions swirling within her.
Bella nodded, a soft hum of agreement escaping her lips. But despite her resolve, fresh tears welled up, spilling over and tracing silent paths down her cheeks. She couldn’t hold them back, no matter how hard she tried.
He gently wiped her tears away. "You just said you wouldn’t cry. Why are you crying now?"