4. Visit of the enemy

Then the front door swung open without knocking, and without shame not even fear.

Bella walked in like she owned the place.

Caro who's already ran down stairs waiting.

Bella stood in the centre of the sitting room, glancing around the interiors like she was making sure Alex bought exactly her taste like she'd assigned him to.

Her lipstick too red, heels too high for the hour, clutching designer bags and wearing a smirk like armor.

“ Excuse me?” Caro said, stepping out from behind the counter. “What are you doing here?” Bella barely glanced at her and kept walking to her position. “ Relax. I’m not here for you.”

“You don’t live here,” Caro said sharply, blocking her from walking further. “You can’t just barge in like this.”

Bella tilted her head with exaggerated offense. “Why? Am I not allowed to visit my son anymore? Or check on my ex-lover? Or do I need your permission for that too?”

The words slapped Caro with cold contempt.

She straightened her back. “A mother doesn’t abandon her son for five years. And she definitely doesn’t buy her way back in with cash and panties in the mail.”

Bella laughed, brushing past her. “Spare me the moral lecture, sweetheart. You’ re not the judge here.”

“ I’m not judging,” Caro snapped, turning to follow her. “ I’m just saying you’ re not worthy to be called a mother. You left and I stayed.”

Bella turned halfway, her face twisted with amusement. “Stayed?” she repeated. “You mean hired. I pay the bills, honey. You were just lucky enough to be promoted from maid to live-in nanny."

 Caro couldn't swallow that, she clutched her fist by her sides but before she could release that to her face, a voice burst from the hallway. “Aunty Bella!”

Henry came wheeling in fast, his smile wide and eager. Caro’s heart broke immidiately.

“ Baby!” Bella squealed, kneeling down to his level and wrapping him in a long, showy hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much!”

“ I missed you too!” Henry beamed, giggling as Bella pulled out bags of goodies and treats. Caro stood frozen, watching from the side her  clenched fists, nails digging into her palms.

This woman, this stranger in lipstick and perfume was being welcomed by the child she had abandoned. Rewarded. Celebrated.

It was almost unbearable.

Bella handed Henry a box of chocolates and ruffled his hair. “ I brought you everything you like. Sweets, puzzles, new comic books. Told you I never forget my favorite boy.”

Henry looked thrilled.

Caro tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. And then Alex walked in.

Of course.

He looked casually amused as his eyes scanned the scene: Bella on her knees, showering his son in gifts, and Caro stiff with rage.

“ Look who’s here,” he said lightly.

Caro stepped forward. Her voice uncertain.

“She had the audacity to walk in here without calling Like she owns the place.” Bella stood up and turned, flashing a mocking grin.

“That’s because I do, I own this place. Financially, at least. Let’s not pretend otherwise.”

“You’ re shameless,” Caro hissed.

“You’ re dramatic,” Bella replied, cool and smug. “And frankly, out of place.”

Caro’s eyes narrowed. “Out of place?”

Bella gave a theatrical shrug. “ Let’s call a spade a spade. You’ re not his wife. You’ re his babysitter. His cook. His house help. You know it. I know it. Alex knows it.”

“Shut your mouth,” Caro growled.

But then Henry looked up, confused. “Aunty Bella … Mommy’s not a nanny.”

Bella turned toward him with a well-practiced smile. “Of course not, sweetheart. I was just teasing.”

But Caro saw the manipulation. The snake in a designer dress twisting truth into something cruel.

Henry looked back at Caro, frowning. “Why is she saying bad things about you?”

Caro dropped to one knee beside him. “ Because sometimes adults forget what matters. But don’t you ever forget—I love you.”

“ I love you too,” Henry said, wrapping his arms around her neck.

Bella took the moment to slide behind the chair and gently wheel Henry away. " Let’s go upstairs, sweetheart,” she cooed. “ I brought you something really special.”

“ No—wait—” Caro tried to follow, but Alex stepped between them.

“She just got here,” he said sharply. “ Let her spend time with her son.” Caro stared at him in disbelief. “You’ re defending her?”

He shrugged. “She’s his mother.”

“and I'm not?.....” Caro asked sadly.

“That’s rich,” Bella called from the stairs, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Try giving birth first before claiming titles.  Oh, I forgot Alex is on vasectomy.”

Caro’s face burned with fury And shock. "Vasectomy? Alex you what?"

Alex dropped his head down, he didn't know Bella could break this news this way. He'd made caro think she's not fertile whereby he didn't want more kids to get abandoned for him again. And each time caro brings up hospital cases and for him to follow her. He only adviced they should be calm and patience.

Now it was making sense to her. She'd just married the devil thinking she'd family all these while. She stood there looking at the floor and couldn't say my more word.

Bella returned a few minutes later, alone, brushing invisible dust off her skirt. She walked into the living room and dropped her bag on the couch, kicked off her heels, and threw one leg up on the glass coffee table.

“God, this place looks like a daycare,” she sighed, scanning the decor. " You must be good at your job" She looked at Caro and gave a theatrical, mocking laugh. “Clearly, he hasn’t kicked you out yet.”

Caro’s jaw clenched so tight that it hurts.

“Get your feet off the table,” she said through gritted teeth.

Bella ignored her. “Alex, I’m starving. Tell the maid to get me something snackable.” Caro’s voice rose. “ You must be really stupid, i’m not your maid.”

Bella leaned back and gave her a long, cold stare. “Then act like a host or are manners not included in your list of chores?”

Alex sat on the arm of the couch, smirking.

“Say something!” Caro snapped at him. “She’s disrespecting me in my home.”

“Our home,” he corrected, shrugging. "You’ re letting her get to you. Just relax and ignore her Caro.”

Caro stepped closer. “You’ve both used me. That’s what this is. I raised your son. I gave up everything. And this is what I get, you betrayed me Alex."

Bella stood slowly and walked right up to her, nose to nose. “What you get is a roof, a bed, and the illusion of purpose. You’ re welcome.”

Caro's hand twitched, she wanted to slap the smug right off her face. But she held herself back.

Then Alex’s voice dropped sharp as a blade. “Stay clear of her, Caro. I mean it. Don’t get on Bella’s nerves.”

Caro stepped back like she’d been slapped.

She stared at Alex, unable to believe what she had just heard.

He wasn't even pretending anymore. Caro slowly walked up to the hallway and her phone beeped.

Samantha.

Her best friend, they had grew up and did everything together. Most times caro would feast with Samantha and family. She'd always been the only true friend she has. Very realistic and never wanted to see caro hurt.

Caro quickly answered the call and Samantha spoke across the phone.

"Marcelo is back in town and he really want to see you."

At the sound of that name, Caro froze.

Marcelo, her childhood crush. He'd loved her all those years in school but Caro kept playing hard to get and didn't want to get in some joke with some boy. She only needed a true love and not certain about Marcelo hence she always saw him with a lot of girls in school then.

She feels something for him too but she had to hide it down. And now the feeling burst through her.

"And guess what? He's really in cool cash and a rich billionaire, I swear and let me shock you. He's the owner of M&C telecommunications." Samantha spoke across the phone. "Let me know when you're free to meet him and don't tell me your husband this and that, I'm not interested in that useless marriage of yours. Bye honey, see you."

Caro's jaw dropped and she stood on that staircase with the phone still on her ear. She turned slowly, Alex and Bella laughing and cuddling like nothing just happened few minutes ago. Like she didn't exist.

She'd made up her mind. She's going to see Marcelo.