Chapter 5

Aurora’s POV

“Bella!”

Damien rushed into the room.

I had never seen him move that fast.

He dropped beside her and pulled her into his arms.

“Stay with me.”

Bella’s face was pale. “Damien… my stomach…”

Her voice was barely a whisper.

Damien’s expression changed. “Her ulcer.”

One of the guards immediately called for an ambulance.

I stared at him. “She has an ulcer?”

Damien didn’t even look at me. “She nearly died from a perforated ulcer before.”

His voice was filled with anger. “And you made her drink!”

I frowned. “Chloe offered her money. Bella agreed.”

“She knew Bella was sick.”

“I didn’t.”

His eyes finally met mine. There was nothing in them except accusation.

Before I could respond, Bella suddenly coughed and blood stained her lips.

Damien’s face went white. “Get the car.”

He lifted her into his arms and walked straight past me. He didn’t ask if I was hurt, all his attention was on Bella.

I stood there watching him disappear.

Three years ago, that would have shattered me. Tonight, it only reminded me why I had to leave.

The police and Blackwood men spent hours securing the club.

Chloe and I were separated during the chaos. By the time I was allowed to leave, she was nowhere around.

I called her repeatedly but there was no answer.

One of the Blackwood guards approached me. “Mrs. Blackwood, Miss Chloe left with some of the other guests.”

I frowned. “She didn’t tell me.”

“She may have gone home.”

I nodded slowly. It wasn’t unusual for Chloe to disappear when she was angry so I went home.

Two days passed and Damien never came home.

He was probably still at the hospital with Bella. I spent those two days preparing everything for my divorce.

My lawyer had already arranged the papers.

Tomorrow, I will be free. Tomorrow, I will marry the man who had been waiting for me in another life.

I was packing the last of my things when my phone rang.

It was Chloe’s mother.

The moment I answered, I heard her sobbing.

“Aurora…”

My heart tightened. “What happened?”

“It’s Chloe.”

I stood up. “What about her?”

“She hasn’t come home.”

I froze. “What do you mean?”

“She disappeared two days ago. Her phone is off. We’ve searched everywhere.”

The room suddenly felt cold. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. We thought she was with you.”

My fingers tightened around the phone as a horrible thought entered my mind.

“I’m going to find her.”

I grabbed my purse and rushed out.

—

The hospital was heavily guarded when I arrived. Blackwood men stood outside every entrance.

I walked through them without stopping. When I entered Bella’s private room, the first thing I saw was Damien.

He sat beside her bed, feeding her porridge. Bella looked weak, her face pale against the pillow.

Damien carefully wiped the corner of her mouth.

That tenderness still hurt but I pushed it aside.

“Damien.”

He didn’t look at me.

I stepped closer. “Where is Chloe?”

His hand paused.

Bella lowered her eyes and Damien continued feeding her.

“Why are you asking me?”

“Because she’s missing and I know you took her.”

“She humiliated Bella in front of everyone.” Damien finally looked at me. “She forced Bella to drink despite knowing she had a perforated ulcer.”

“I didn’t know Bella was sick.”

“Chloe did.”

“She didn’t!” My voice cracked. “If Chloe did something wrong, punish her. But tell me where she is.”

Damien’s expression didn’t change. “You’re worried about her now?”

“She is my best friend.”

“And Bella is my family.”

The words hit harder than they should have.

I swallowed. “Damien, please.”

He returned his attention to Bella. “Eat.”

Bella obediently opened her mouth.

I stared at them.

He was feeding another woman while I stood there begging him to tell me where my best friend was.

I couldn’t hold it anymore.

Tears filled my eyes.

“I didn’t cry when you betrayed me.”

Damien’s hand paused.

“I didn’t cry when you had a child with her.” My voice trembled. “I didn’t even cry when you poisoned me but Chloe is different.

A tear slipped down my cheek. “She grew up with me. She’s my family.”

I walked toward Bella and dropped to my knees beside her bed. “Please, tell him to let her go.”

Bella’s eyes widened. “Mrs. Blackwood…”

“Please.” I bowed my head. “If she offended you, I’m sorry. Whatever she said, whatever she did, I’ll apologize for her.”

Bella looked toward Damien.

“Damien,” Her voice was weak. “Let her go. I’m sure Miss Chloe didn’t mean to hurt me.”

Damien’s jaw tightened.

He stared at me for a long moment then he reached into his pocket.

A small key landed on the table.

I stared at it. “What is this?”

“The western warehouse. Go get her.”

I grabbed the key.

His eyes narrowed.

“But Aurora…” He leaned back in his chair. “If there is a next time, I won’t let her walk away.”