Chapter Two

Bella POV

The storm raged so violently it felt strong enough to tear the car apart, but I didn’t care.

All those years of promises—every whispered vow, every touch, every assurance—it had all been a lie.

Even the day I told him about fighting with that arrogant socialite, he had said he was rooting for me. Rooting for me… while he was already choosing her.

Everything still felt unreal, like I would wake up any moment and laugh at how foolish the dream had been.

I thought I was going to escape my family with him.

Instead, he used that weakness against me.

The rain grew heavier, slamming against the car roof, but strangely… it didn’t feel cruel. It felt cleansing. Like the storm outside was washing away something rotten inside my chest. The pain still burned, but beneath it, something else was rising.

Strength.

Was it a crime to be born into this family? Was it wrong to hope for love?

By the time we arrived at the estate, the rain had soaked the ground into thick mud. Instead of heading to my suite, I turned toward Scarlett’s wing.

Kaida quickly stepped in front of me, shaking her head.

“My Lady, you’re hurt,” she said softly, her eyes filled with concern. “I know you’re trying to hide it, but you should rest. You can visit Lady Scarlett tomorrow.”

“I am hurt,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “And that’s exactly why I need to see her. She needs me more right now. I’ve been occupied since morning—I haven’t checked on her.”

Kaida hesitated, then nodded and followed behind me.

When we reached Scarlett’s quarters, I froze.

The door creaked open, and I saw her slipping out quietly into the rain.

Where is she going in this storm?

Fear gripped me instantly. With everything happening, I couldn’t allow her to do something reckless. I kept my distance and followed her silently.

Then I saw him.

Her lover stood beneath a large oak tree, drenched but steady, holding an umbrella. The moment he saw her, he rushed forward, shielding her from the rain.

“Why did you come out in this weather?” Scarlett scolded gently as she stepped into his arms.

“I missed you,” he murmured, his voice full of warmth. “And I missed our baby.”

My breath caught.

He slowly lowered his hand to her stomach.

Scarlett… is pregnant?

The realization echoed loudly in my mind.

She hadn’t told me.

A sharp pain stabbed my chest—but it wasn’t betrayal. It was something softer. Sadder.

They stood there wrapped in each other’s arms, the umbrella carefully angled to keep her dry while the rain soaked him completely. His body shielded hers instinctively, protectively.

Loyal.

Devoted.

Present.

Tears slipped down my cheeks before I realized I was crying. The tears I had been holding back all night finally broke free.

I couldn’t watch any longer.

They were expecting a child… and yet our family was preparing to hand her over like property to secure an alliance.

How cruel could fate be?

I turned away quietly and returned to her room before she did.

Moments later, the door opened.

Scarlett stepped inside, removing her wet coat—and froze when she saw me standing there.

Her eyes widened in shock.

“Bella…?”

“Why are you here? You never told me you were coming,” Scarlett asked cautiously.

“Do I need permission to check on you?” I replied gently. “You’re going through enough already.”

She didn’t argue.

Instead, she walked closer and sat opposite me, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap.

“You know what, Bella…” Her voice trembled. “I’m scared. So scared I can barely sleep at night. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.”

Tears gathered in her eyes.

“I tried to convince my parents to speak against Granduncle, but they refused. They said no one protested when your sister was sent away. Your family accepted it—smiling, even. So why should ours be any different?”

Her shoulders shook.

“I wish they understood this isn’t the same.”

My chest tightened.

“You’re carrying his child,” I said softly.

Scarlett’s head snapped up, panic flashing across her face.

“How did you find out?” she whispered urgently. “Don’t tell me Granduncle knows already.”

Despite everything, I let out a small, tired chuckle.

“No. I just found out tonight. I saw you sneaking out to meet him.”

She exhaled deeply, relief washing over her features.

“Bella… I knew you would understand.” She reached for my hands. “Imagine being separated from Raven. Imagine being forced to leave him forever.”

Her words pierced me.

Tears slipped down before I could stop them.

“Don’t,” I said hoarsely. “Don’t talk about him.”

She stared at me, confused.

“It’s over. He’s married. To someone else.”

Scarlett froze.

“What? Bella… three years? When did this happen?”

Her fear shifted from herself to me. I could see the sympathy in her eyes, and strangely, that hurt more than Raven’s betrayal.

I quickly told her everything—the lies, the humiliation, the marriage.

When she reached out again, I pulled myself together.

“This isn’t about me,” I said firmly. “It’s about you. What are you planning to do? Will you tell your parents about the pregnancy?”

She shook her head bitterly.

“They’ll never agree. Not when he’s just an ordinary man.”

I scoffed softly, a cold thought forming in my mind.

Ordinary.

As if love required status.

As if loyalty needed a title.

“What if we do it differently?” I said slowly, leaning forward.

Scarlett looked at me, confusion mixing with hope.

“What do you mean?”

I held her gaze, and for the first time that night, the storm inside me felt controlled.

“What if we don’t beg them?” I continued. “What if we give them no choice?”

The air between us grew heavier.

“They want to trade daughters like assets,” I said quietly. “Fine. Then let’s change the value of the deal.”

Scarlett’s breath hitched.

“Bella… what are you thinking?”

A slow, dangerous calm settled over me.

“If they want a political move,” I said, “then we’ll give them one.”