登入Usually, the shop was filled with the hum of machines and the blast of metal music. But that day, the place was silent.Inside Anthony’s shop, there were only stacks of boxes and rolls of bubble wrap scattered around. Anthony himself was taking down several bottles of color pigment from the shelves. His movements were rough and impatient.Belle stood in front of the counter, wrapping sterile equipment into small boxes. She glanced at her brother with concern.Ever since the wedding reception yesterday, Anthony had looked like a walking corpse. Belle noticed the gold ring on his finger shining under the light, almost as if it were mocking both of them.“You’re really shutting this place down?” Belle asked, still unable to believe it.“Dad doesn’t want some ‘thug shop’ ruining the family image. Especially now that he’s Mr. Carlyle’s in-law.”Anthony’s voice was full of bitterness and anger. To prove it, he angrily tossed an empty ink bottle into the trash.“This place has to be cleared
The old church on the outskirts of Eastbourne felt unbearably cold. There were no tears of emotion or joyful laughter. Only suffocating silence.Anthony stood before the altar in a black tuxedo that looked far too stiff on his athletic frame. His face was pale, his empty eyes fixed on the cross in front of him.Right now, Anthony didn’t feel like a groom.He felt like a man waiting for his execution.“Straighten your shoulders, Tony,” Mr. Watson hissed beside him. “Don’t embarrass me again in front of Mr. Carlyle’s family.”Anthony let out a short breath. “You already got what you wanted, Dad. Stop demanding more from me.”“Don’t act like the victim. You got Renee pregnant, and now you’re the one who has to deal with it.”Mr. Watson returned to his seat in the pew just as the church doors opened.Renee walked in wearing a luxurious white gown with a long train flowing behind her. Beside her, Mr. Carlyle walked with a grim expression.To Mr. Carlyle, it made no difference whether Renee
“What did you say?”Mr. Watson’s sharp voice made Anthony lower his head from where he sat across from him. Anthony’s back stiffened while Belle sat silently beside her mother.“Say it again, Anthony. Tell me the truth before I seriously smash your head in,” Mr. Watson hissed.Anthony took a heavy breath. “Renee is pregnant with my child, not Bastian’s.”Bang!Mr. Watson kicked the coffee table in front of him, sending it sliding across the room. His breathing turned heavy, and his face instantly flushed red with anger.“Have you completely lost your mind? Did you get Mr. Carlyle’s daughter pregnant? Do you realize how humiliating this is for our family name?”Belle held back her tears. There was nothing she could do to defend Anthony. This was something her brother had to face himself.By admitting everything, Anthony had proven he wasn’t a coward. But what worried Belle was that Anthony would lose even more of his dignity in front of their father.“I’ll take responsibility, Dad,” An
Renee stepped back, her hands trembling as she clutched the strap of the bag hanging on her shoulder.“What are you talking about, Anthony? Have you lost your mind from drinking?”“I’m not drunk. I’m completely aware,” Anthony said, his voice low and trembling with emotion.He stepped forward, making Renee look like a trapped mouse. Her eyes widened in horror, her thoughts spiraling into panic.“Do you want to pretend that night never happened? When you came to my shop looking for Bastian?”But Renee ignored Anthony’s words. Instead, she turned to Bastian with a pleading look.“Don’t listen to him, Bastian! Anthony just wants to separate us!” Renee said.Bastian shook his head quickly. “Stop it, Renee.”“I know you cheated with Belle! And Anthony wants you to end up with his sister. Can’t you see that?”Bastian let go of Belle, but his hand still held hers tightly. The cold look in his eyes made Renee shiver.“I didn’t think you’d go this far. You drugged me, then told me I got you pr
“Anthony! Bastian! Stop this madness!” Belle shouted.Anthony let out a harsh scoff. “Stay out of this, Belle!”“You’ve gone too far, Anthony! This doesn’t even make sense anymore!”But Anthony wasn’t listening.The fight between the two former friends began.The sound of heavy breathing and the scrape of feet against the mat filled the gym. Anthony lunged forward, attacking wildly. His punches were rough and unfocused, driven purely by brute force.Bastian, on the other hand, stayed defensive. He blocked and dodged, his eyes searching for an opening behind the storm of his friend’s anger.“Hit me, damn it! Fight me!” Anthony shouted as he threw a wide right hook.Bastian didn’t respond. He noticed Anthony’s shoulders trembling.Anthony wasn’t fighting Bastian.He was fighting himself.When Anthony charged again recklessly, Bastian saw a clear opening.With one swift, precise movement, Bastian drove a punch straight into Anthony’s stomach, followed by a sweep that sent him crashing on
The strong aroma of coffee usually calmed Belle, but today the steam rising from the latte in front of her tasted flat.A gentle tap made her flinch. She turned her head and froze when she saw Eve standing there.Eve looked at her with sympathy. News about Bastian and Renee’s upcoming wedding had already spread across Eastbourne.“I heard everything, Belle,” Eve said as she sat beside her and let out a quiet breath. “About Bastian and Renee.”Belle lowered her gaze, stirring her spoon slowly. “Yeah. There’s no way something like that wouldn’t spread around here.”“You’re right. Eastbourne is small. Especially when it involves Renee and Bastian. Not to mention… their baby.” Eve glanced at her carefully. “I know this must feel like being betrayed twice.”“I’ll get through it,” Belle said softly. “Thanks for still wanting to talk to me.”“I couldn’t stay silent forever, Belle.” Eve opened her arms and pulled her into a hug. “If you want to cry, just let it out.”“I don’t have any tears l
Going back to the gallery wasn’t such a good idea after all. Belle could feel Renee’s annoyed expression every time she looked her way. Even though Belle just stayed quiet in the corner with Anthony and the others, including Eve.Still, she felt bad about leaving early, so she decided to wait unti
“Are you okay?”Bastian asked, breaking the silence between them. Belle could feel his breath brushing against her face, but she froze in his arms."Yeah, I'm..."Belle stepped back, trying to distance herself from Bastian. The moment was too awkward. Besides, she didn’t want to cause any trouble w
The anger radiating from Felix was almost tangible to Belle. Especially when he was driving—reckless and fast—making her terrified. Neither of them spoke, and the silence between them was tense.“Were you trying to lie to me?” Felix growled. “A relationship won’t work without honesty, Belle.”Of co
"Enough!"Eve was startled by her own outburst and realized how upset she had become. Belle had grown distant, almost avoiding her altogether. Now, Felix dared to tell her to stay away from Belle.Who did he think he was? If it weren't for Eve encouraging Belle to give Felix a chance, Belle never w







