37

Chapter 37

Zach’s POV

“Why are you walking around like you just won a war, Bella?” I asked as I looked at her, irritated by her confidence in her actions.

“Oh, please, Zach, spare me the drama,” she said, waving me off with her hand.

“Drama?” I asked, looking at her to be sure if she knows exactly what she's doing.

“Yes, drama. The same thing you do every time something doesn’t go exactly the way you want,” she said, pointing fingers at me.

“You showed up at my apartment with Hayden, and you are tagging it drama,” I said, frustratedly.

“And?” Bella asked, unbothered by my outburst.

“You let that bastard escort you into my compound like he’s your damn protector,” I said.

“He did protect me,” Bella said confidently.

“You are my wife, for goodness sake!” I said, trying to remind her of her place and position.

“And where exactly were you when I needed protection?” she asked, looking directly at me.

“You think that’s funny?” I asked.

“No. I think it’s ironic,” she replied without hesitation.

“You are unbelievable,” I stated, getting fed up with her attitude.

“And you are insecure,” she expressed.

“I’m insecure?” I asked, surprised at her outburst without remorse.

“Yes, Zach. You,” she affirmed.

“You think parading around with him was smart?” I asked, disappointment written all over me.

“I think staying alive was smart,” she said.

“You could have called me,” I demanded.

“I did,” she said.

“That’s a lie,” I replied.

“Oh, really? Because your phone seemed very busy ignoring me,” she explained.

“You are twisting things,” I said.

“No, I’m reminding you,” she said.

“You humiliated me.” I said angrily. “You let the entire press see him play hero.”

“I didn’t ‘let’ anything happen,” she denied.

“You stood there as if you belonged beside him,” I said as I remembered her reaction when they drove in.

“And what exactly was I supposed to do?” She asked. “Collapse dramatically so your reputation stays intact?”

Bella was incredibly confident in defending her act against Hayden. She was careless about what I was saying as she kept walking before she got to the room and sat on the chair after shifting the table before her.

“You enjoyed it,” I said, disappointed.

“I’m tired of pretending with you, Zach,” she finally admitted.

“Pretending?” I was surprised at her statement.

“Yes, pretending you actually care about anything except power.” She expressed her frustration.

“You are crossing a line.” I snapped.

“No, I crossed that line the day I married you,” she said with her voice low but the words hurt badly.

“You think this is funny?” I asked, trying to avoid being provoked more.

“No, but the way your face is turning red is a little entertaining,” she mocked.

“You are pushing me,” I warned, my voice low but firm.

“Then maybe you should push back,” she said, unconcerned.

“You walked into this apartment with him like I couldn’t protect you.” I said, pain running through my veins.

“Because you couldn’t,” she said.

“Watch your mouth,” I warned.

“Or what?” she asked, looking at me like I can't hurt her.

“Or you will remember exactly who you are talking to.” I said, my fist coiled together.

“Oh, please, don’t start with that alpha tone again,” she said, brushing me off.

“You are testing my patience,” I said angrily. “You knew what that would do to me but you still went ahead to do it” 

“Yes,” she replied, avoiding my gaze.

“You are unbelievable,” I said, expressing my frustration.

“And you are predictable,” she said.

“You could have waited for me,” I said. “You could have called my guards.”

“They said you were busy,” she replied.

“I was handling business,” I said.

“Clearly more important than your pregnant wife, huh?” she asked, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t twist this!” I said.

“Then explain it.” she demanded.

“You are manipulating the situation,” I said, trying to calm myself.

“No, I’m surviving it.” she replied.

“You looked comfortable beside him,” I said, pain biting deep into my veins.

“Maybe because he didn’t treat me like property,” Bella said confidently.

“You are my wife.” I reminded her. “You think Hayden respects you?” I asked.

“He respected me enough to show up,” she said.

“That snake has been waiting for a chance to humiliate me.” I said referring to Hayden.

“Then maybe stop giving him opportunities,” Bella advised, almost like a mockery.

“You stood beside him like you were proud,” I said, expressing my pain. “You enjoyed watching the cameras flash.”

“Are you afraid of the press? Oh, I see, your ego is being dragged,” Bella said with a smirk on her face.

“You are provoking me on purpose.” I said, “You brought my enemy into my home.”

“He walked me here, remember?.” She asked with her gaze on me.

“You could have stopped him,” I said angrily.

“Why would I?” she asked, throwing her hands in the air.

“Because you are supposed to stand beside your husband!” I said.

“Then maybe you should act like one,” she said without fear.

“I provide everything for you.” I said slamming my hand on the desk beside her.

“Except presence,” she said with her voice raised.

“You think Hayden cares about you?” I asked, irritated.

“I think Hayden cares about beating you,” she said and there was silence for a while as I reasoned the statement she just made.

“Be careful with your words, “ I warned. “ You have been provoking me all night.” I continued.

Bella looked at me with a smirk on her face as she brought out her phone and began to operate on it. 

I stood there looking at her as I waited to see if she could just be remorseful, but nothing of the sort.

“You embarrassed me in front of the entire city,” I muttered, seeing that she's not ready to admit her wrongs.

“You embarrassed yourself daily,” Bella stated.

“That man kissed another woman while moaning her name, and you are here being proud of what he did?.” I asked angrily, trying to hold myself from hitting her.

“Livia isn’t my concern,” she blurted out. “And I know she's clearly your obsession.”

The last statement was like a blow to my head as I remained silent for a while.

TI immediately left the room angrily as the door slammed so hard the walls trembled.

As I stood in the hallway, fury burning through every vein, one thing became brutally clear.

This was no longer a marriage; it was a war of game between Bella and me.