CHAPTER 5: THE WOMAN IN HIS ARMS

Arabella Rose Montgomery barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, the same painful image returned—Alexander kissing Vanessa beside his car.

She had spent three years believing she was the only woman in his heart. Now, she wondered how many times he had lied to her while pretending everything was perfect.

The following morning, she stood in front of her bedroom mirror, trying to gather her courage.

Today, she would face him.

She would no longer accept excuses.

After breakfast, Arabella picked up her phone and called Alexander.

He answered after several rings.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

Hearing his familiar voice made her chest tighten.

"Alexander, we need to talk."

"Can it wait? I'm busy."

"No. It's important."

He sighed impatiently.

"Fine. I'll see you at the office this afternoon."

"Promise?"

"Of course, Bella. I love you."

Arabella closed her eyes.

Those words no longer comforted her.

"See you later," she replied before ending the call.

At Blackwood Corporation, Alexander was reviewing some documents when Vanessa entered his private office without knocking.

"Good morning, handsome."

Alexander looked up.

"Vanessa, what are you doing here?"

She placed her handbag on the sofa and approached his desk.

"Can't I visit my boyfriend?"

"Not here. Someone might see you."

Vanessa laughed bitterly.

"You're still worried about Arabella?"

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

"Don't start."

"Why shouldn't I? You've been promising me that you'll end things with her."

"I said I'll handle it."

Vanessa crossed her arms.

"How long do I have to wait, Alex? I'm tired of being the woman you hide."

Alexander stood up.

"I have responsibilities. My relationship with Arabella isn't something I can end overnight."

Vanessa stepped closer.

"Then perhaps I should help you."

His expression darkened.

"What does that mean?"

She smiled.

"Nothing. Just remember that secrets don't stay hidden forever."

Before he could respond, Vanessa picked up her handbag and walked toward the door.

"Don't keep me waiting too long, Alexander."

That afternoon, Arabella arrived at Blackwood Corporation.

She wore a simple cream-colored dress, her hair falling gently over her shoulders. In her hands was the anniversary gift she had purchased the previous day.

She still couldn't understand why a part of her hoped Alexander would explain everything.

Perhaps there was something she hadn't seen.

Perhaps there was a reason.

But when she reached his office, his secretary informed her that he was in a meeting.

"Would you like to wait, Miss Montgomery?"

Arabella nodded.

"Yes, thank you."

She sat in the reception area, holding the small shopping bag on her lap.

Twenty minutes passed.

Then thirty.

Finally, Alexander's office door opened.

Arabella immediately stood up.

But before she could approach him, she heard a woman's laughter.

"You're impossible, Alex."

Her heart stopped.

Vanessa stepped out of the office.

She was wearing an elegant red dress, and Alexander's hand was resting casually on her waist.

Arabella couldn't move.

Alexander's smile disappeared when he noticed her.

"Bella?"

Vanessa slowly turned.

For a brief moment, surprise crossed her face. Then her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

"Oh. Arabella."

Arabella looked at Alexander's hand.

He quickly removed it from Vanessa's waist.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

The question hurt more than she expected.

"I came to see you."

Alexander glanced at his secretary.

"Why didn't you tell me she was here?"

The secretary lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, sir. You were occupied."

Arabella swallowed.

"Alexander, who is she to you?"

Vanessa answered before he could.

"Someone very important."

"Vanessa, stop," Alexander warned.

Vanessa tilted her head.

"Why? Are we still pretending?"

Arabella felt her fingers trembling.

She looked directly at Alexander.

"Tell me she's lying."

He remained silent.

"Alexander, look at me."

Finally, he met her eyes.

"Can we discuss this somewhere private?"

Arabella let out a small, humorless laugh.

"Private? You've had plenty of opportunities to talk to me privately."

She raised the shopping bag.

"I bought you something. Our anniversary is coming soon, remember?"

Alexander glanced at the bag but said nothing.

Vanessa examined Arabella's expression.

"That's sweet. But I don't think he needs another gift."

"Vanessa!" Alexander snapped.

Arabella slowly lowered the bag.

"How long?"

Alexander rubbed his forehead.

"Bella, it's complicated."

"How long have you been seeing her?"

He looked away.

That was enough.

Arabella felt something inside her finally break.

"Three years, Alexander. I gave you three years."

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"But you did."

Her voice trembled, yet she refused to cry in front of them.

"You let me believe we were building a future together while you were holding another woman in your arms."

Alexander stepped toward her.

"Bella, please. Let me explain."

She took a step backward.

"No. I think I've heard enough."

Vanessa watched with barely concealed satisfaction.

Arabella turned toward her.

"And you should be proud. You got the man you wanted. Just remember that a man who can betray one woman can betray another."

Vanessa's smile disappeared.

Arabella placed the shopping bag on the nearby reception table.

"Keep the gift. I no longer have a reason to give it to you."

Then she walked away.

Outside the building, Arabella struggled to breathe normally.

She reached the parking area before the tears finally escaped.

Her phone vibrated.

It was Alexander.

She rejected the call.

A moment later, another message appeared.

Alexander: Bella, don't make a decision while you're emotional. We need to talk.

She stared at the screen.

Don't make a decision?

He had already made his.

He had chosen to betray her.

Arabella wiped her cheeks and typed her response.

Arabella: There's nothing left to discuss. We're over, Alexander.

She pressed send.

For the first time in three years, she chose herself.

Inside the office, Alexander stared at her message.

"What's wrong?" Vanessa asked.

"She ended things."

Vanessa approached him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Then it's settled."

But Alexander didn't return her embrace.

He was looking at the empty doorway where Arabella had disappeared.

Something about her final expression unsettled him.

Meanwhile, in a private office on the top floor of Blackwood Corporation, Dominic Alexander Blackwood was reviewing a financial report when his assistant knocked.

"Sir, your son is requesting a meeting."

Dominic didn't immediately look up.

"Tell him I'm occupied."

"There's something else, sir."

"What is it?"

The assistant hesitated.

"Miss Arabella Montgomery was here earlier. She left the building in tears."

Dominic's hand stopped moving.

"Arabella?"

"Yes, sir."

For a moment, his usually composed expression changed.

He had known Arabella for years. He had watched her become part of the Blackwood family through her relationship with Alexander.

And he had always considered her a woman who deserved genuine happiness.

"Find out what happened," Dominic instructed quietly.

"Yes, sir."

When the assistant left, Dominic leaned back in his chair.

He looked through the glass windows overlooking the city.

He had never interfered in his son's relationship.

But something told him that Arabella's tears were not without reason.

And if Alexander had done something unforgivable, Dominic would not pretend otherwise.

His phone suddenly rang.

It was Alexander.

Dominic answered.

"Father, I need to talk to you."

"What happened?"

There was a brief silence.

Then Alexander spoke.

"It's about Arabella."

Dominic's expression hardened.

"Then I suggest you tell me the truth."