49

Bella’s POV

There was a moment, just a brief, flickering moment, when I considered letting it go, but I know Zach had made his decision. A cold and final like I meant nothing to him.

The more I replayed his words in my head, the more something dark and dangerous curled inside my chest.

If I couldn’t change his mind, then I would make sure he choked on that decision. “Are you certain?” I asked, my voice low as I stood before one of my informants.

The man nodded quickly, almost too eagerly. “Yes, Luna. Perry hasn’t stepped out all day. Guards say he’s still inside,” the informant said as a slow smile crept onto my lips.

“Perfect,” I muttered excitedly.

Perry’s mansion stood tall and quiet, the kind of silence that pretended nothing ever went wrong inside its walls. I didn’t bother announcing myself, as I have never done so.

The doors opened anyway because they always did anytime I came.

He was in the living room when I walked in half-dressed, clearly in the middle of preparing to leave. His eyes widened the moment they landed on me.

“Bella?” He called, his voice low, and I could see the shock on his face for a second.

There was a pause for a moment, and then a small, almost amused smile followed.

“Well… I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised,” he finally said as he exhaled, shaking his head.

“You have always had a talent for appearing uninvited,” he continued but I didn’t respond.

I just stood there watching him as I let the silence stretch until it became uncomfortable.

Perry cleared his throat, shifting slightly under my gaze. “You look… stunning,” he muttered softly, but I still said nothing, not even a blink from me.

His smile faltered. “I mean it,” he added quickly, trying to recover. “You always…”

“Stop talking.” I snapped, my voice sliced through the air like a blade.

He froze immediately as he could see the anger in my face.

For a moment, the room went still. The tension wrapped around us, thick and suffocating. I could see it in his eyes, he was trying to read me, trying to figure out how dangerous this situation was.

Smart man, but not smart enough.

“What do you want, Bella?” he finally asked, his tone more cautious now.

That’s when I smiled, slowly and deliberately as I walked toward him, each step measured, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor. He didn’t move and didn’t dare to.

When I got close enough, I leaned in slightly, close enough for him to feel my presence, to smell my perfume, and then I kissed his cheek.

It was soft, light and unexpected as Perry blinked, caught completely off guard.

The tension in his shoulders eased almost instantly, a small breath of relief escaping him.

“Ah…” he chuckled nervously. “I see. I was beginning to think…”

“Are you attending the event?” I interrupted, my voice suddenly calm.

He nodded. “Yes. I will be leaving in about… fifteen, maybe twenty minutes,” he said calmly, looking at me.

“Good,” I muttered as I stepped back, crossing my arms.

“You are taking me,” I said calmly, almost like a command.

The silence this time was heavier, confused, and dangerous.

Perry frowned slightly. “Bella… you know I can’t do that.” he finally muttered out with a shaken hand.

My head tilted. “Can’t… or won’t?” I asked firmly.

“It’s not that simple,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “There are orders, strict ones and your presence there…”

“Will it cause a problem?” I cut in as I looked deep into his eyes.

“Yes,” he replied.

I smiled wider. “Exactly,” I muttered.

“Bella, listen to me…” he said.

“No,” I snapped, my tone hardening instantly. “You listen to me.” I replied and he went quiet.

“I am going to that event,” I continued, my eyes locking onto him. “With or without your help.” I declared.

“Then why come to me?” he asked carefully as I stepped closer again, this time slower and more deliberate.

“Because,” I said softly, my fingers lightly brushing against his chest, “I will rather walk in than explode in,” I stated.

He swallowed. “You don’t mean that,” he said.

I laughed, a slow, dangerous sound.

“Don’t I?” I asked with a smirk on my face.

Perry took a step back now, finally realizing the gravity of the situation. “Bella, if you show up uninvited, you will create chaos. The council, Zach…”

At the mention of his name, something in me snapped. “Zach?” I repeated, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “Oh, I hope he’s there,” I said.

Perry’s expression tightened. “This isn’t about him, is it?” he asked, staring at me.

I didn’t answer and that was answer enough.

“Bella…” he tried again, softer this time. “Don’t do this. Whatever you are planning…”

“I’m not planning anything,” I said sharply.

There was a pause, and then I leaned in, my lips just inches from his ear.

“I’m promising it.” I started softly.

He exhaled slowly, clearly torn. “I wish I could help you,” he admitted. “But I can’t take you there. It’s beyond my authority,” he said , explaining his frustration.

I pulled back, studying his face and looking for weakness. Then I found it.

“You can,” I said quietly. “You just don’t want to deal with the consequences,” I said with a grin on my face.

“And you do?” he challenged and my smile returned, cold, fearless.

“I am the consequence.” I declared and the room fell silent again, heavy and unavoidable.

Then I straightened, smoothing down my dress as if the decision had already been made.

“You have two options, Perry,” I said calmly.

His jaw tightened. “I’m listening,” he replied, swallowing his saliva.

“You take me with you…” I began, my voice dangerously soft, “and we walk into that event like nothing is wrong.”

“And the second option?” he asked.

I met his unblinking gaze.

“I walk in alone,” I said, my tone turning icy, “and I make sure everyone knows something is very, very wrong,” I said with a faint smile on my face.

A long pause followed and Perry stared at me, searching my face for any sign of bluff but he found none because there wasn’t any.

“You are serious,” he muttered.

“Try me.” I challenged myself.

His shoulders dropped slightly as he let out a quiet, defeated breath. “You really won’t back down, will you?” he asked.

I tilted my head, a faint smirk playing on my lips. “When have I ever?” I asked.

Another silence followed and then finally. “Fine,” he said.

The word came out reluctant, heavy with consequences.

“But if this goes wrong…”

“It will not,” I cut in smoothly.

He blinked. “That’s not reassuring,” he said.

“It’s not supposed to be.” I replied, looking at him as I turned toward the door, already satisfied.

“Get ready,” I added over my shoulder. “We are leaving together.”

“Bella,” he called.

I paused but didn’t turn. “What exactly are you planning to do there?” he asked, staring at me as if he wanted to read me, and for a brief second,  just a second, I let the truth slip into my voice.

“Make him regret ever thinking he could walk away from me,” I said, and as I stepped out of the room, one thought burned brighter than all the rest: Zach has no idea what’s coming.