Chapter 8

Bella’s POV

The grand ballroom of the Royal Plaza Hotel was filled with gold decorations, massive crystal chandeliers, and hundreds of wealthy guests. Soft piano music played in the background while high-society figures chatted with champagne glasses in their hands. Everything about the setting screamed money and status.

Maximo held my hand tightly as the valet took his luxury car. His tailored black tuxedo made him look powerful and commanding. I smoothed down the skirt of my emerald green silk dress and took a deep breath.

"Remember," Maximo whispered, leaning close to my ear as we walked toward the heavy glass doors. "You owe him nothing. You hold all the power today."

"I know," I said, lifting my chin high. "I am ready."

We entered the ballroom silently through the side entrance. The main ceremony had just ended, and the guests were flowing into the reception area. No one noticed us at first. People glanced our way because of Maximo and my striking dress, but no one recognized me. The pale, sick girl who used to sit quietly in the corner of Josh’s house was gone. In her place was a healthy, glowing woman walking arm-in-arm with one of the most feared men in the city.

Near the front stage, Josh’s mother, Mrs. Kingsley, was holding court with a group of wealthy women. She wore a heavy purple gown and a thick pearl necklace. Her face was twisted into its usual proud smile as she bragged about her son’s wonderful new match.

"Calista comes from such a fine family," Mrs. Kingsley said loudly, fanning herself with a lace card. "Unlike that quiet nobody Josh foolishly brought home before. Thank goodness that girl had the sense to run away and leave my son in peace."

I felt a surge of anger, but I forced myself to stay calm. Her words did not hurt me anymore. They only made me more determined to tear down their lies.

Across the room, near the large wedding cake, Josh and Calista were standing together for the post-ceremony photos. Calista looked pretty in a lace white dress, smiling brightly for the photographer. Josh stood beside her in a crisp tuxedo, holding a glass of expensive champagne. He looked proud, completely pleased with himself. He truly believed I was dead or dying alone in some dark corner, leaving him free to enjoy his new life.

Maximo stayed a few paces behind me as I began walking across the polished marble floor. My high heels made a steady, rhythmic clicking sound with every step.

As I approached the stage, the photographer stepped back to adjust his camera. Josh raised his glass to take a sip, his eyes scanning the crowd casually. Then his gaze landed on me.

He froze.

His eyes went wide with shock. The color drained from his face so fast he looked like he had seen a ghost. His hand trembled violently, causing the champagne to slosh over the rim of his glass and stain his white shirt sleeve. He nearly dropped the delicate glass right onto the floor.

"Bella?" he gasped, his voice cracking. He could barely breathe out the word.

Calista turned to him in confusion, frowning. "Josh? What is wrong with you? Who is that?"

I stopped right in front of him, keeping my face completely calm. I let my eyes sweep over his panicked expression, taking in every bit of his fear.

"Hello, Josh," I said, my voice smooth and clear. "You look surprised to see me. Did you think I would not make it?"

Josh swallowed hard, stepping back until his spine hit the edge of the display table. He stared at my healthy skin, my bright eyes, and the radiant green dress. He knew what my recovery meant. It meant his dangerous drug had not killed me, and it meant I was standing here with my mind fully intact.

"You... how are you..." he stammered, his eyes darting around the room nervously to see if anyone was listening "What are you doing here?"

"I came to give you a wedding gift," I said softly.

I reached into the sleek black clutch bag in my hand and pulled out a thick manila folder. I tapped it against my palm once, then extended it toward his chest.

"What is this?" Josh asked, his hands shaking so badly he did not want to touch it.

"Open it and see," I replied.

He slowly took the folder and flipped it open. The moment his eyes caught the bold black letters at the top of the page, his breath hitched.

"Divorce papers," he whispered, horror filling his face. "Bella, are you crazy? Not here! Not right now!"

Mrs. Kingsley noticed the commotion and walked over with heavy steps, her eyebrows pulled down in a furious scowl. "Josh, what is going on here? Who is this woman interrupting your pictures?"

She stopped beside her son and squinted at me. It took her a few seconds, but when she finally recognized my face, her jaw dropped in shock. "You! The runaway! How dare you show up here and ruin my son’s special day?"

"Shut up, Mother!" Josh snapped suddenly, sweating through his collar. He looked terrified.

Calista looked between them, her cheeks turning bright red with embarrassment. "Josh, who is she? Why is she handing you papers?"

I stepped closer to Josh, leaning in so only he and his mother could hear my words over the background music. The soft smile left my face, replaced by a cold, sharp stare.

"You lied to everyone, Josh," I said in a low, dangerous tone. "You told your family and your friends that I ran away with another man. You pretended you were the victim while you pumped experimental toxins into my body without my consent."

"Bella, please," Josh pleaded under his breath, his eyes wide with desperation. "Do not do this here. We can talk later."

"There is nothing to talk about," I said flatly. "You used my RH-null blood for an illegal human trial. You broke the law, Josh. If you do not sign those papers right now, I will not hesitate to walk out of this hotel and go straight to the police station. I will call the medical regulatory board, the lab directors, and the press. I will make sure every single investor knows what kind of monster you really are."

Josh gasped, his face turning completely pale. He knew I was telling the truth. An illegal human drug test meant immediate arrest, the loss of his medical license, and years behind bars. His precious career and high-society life would be completely ruined in a single afternoon.

Mrs. Kingsley looked at her son’s panicked face and realized the danger immediately. She opened her mouth to argue, but the sheer terror in Josh’s eyes made her close it again. She stood there, stiff and silent, her pride crushed.

"I have a pen right here," I said, pulling a sleek black pen from my bag and handing it out to him. "Sign it, Josh. Sign it and let me go, or spend the rest of your wedding day in handcuffs."

Josh looked at the papers, then at my cold, steady eyes. He knew he had no choice. He had lost.

With trembling fingers, he snatched the pen from my hand. He laid the folder flat on the edge of the display table, right beside his wedding cake. His hand shook so much that his signature looked messy, but he signed every required line as fast as he could.

He flipped to the final page, placed his signature on the bottom line, and shoved the folder back into my hands.

"There," Josh choked out, wiping cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. "It is done. Now get out."

I took the folder, checked the signatures to make sure everything was correct, and closed it safely. A massive weight lifted off my chest. I was finally free from him.

"Happy wedding, Josh," I said quietly.

I turned around and walked back toward Maximo. He was waiting for me with a proud smile on his face. I slid my arm through his, holding the signed divorce papers tightly against my side. Together, we walked out of the grand ballroom, leaving Josh trembling by his wedding cake while his new wife began to scream at him for answers.