Chapter Two: It wasn’t for me

Bella 

Wasn’t that bracelet meant for me?

The thought struck hard, cutting through the lingering haze in my mind.

When they finally noticed my presence, introductions were made with little fanfare. Anna greeted me warmly enough and soon afterwards everyone moved towards the dining room for dinner.

Throughout the meal, I barely touched my food.

My gaze kept drifting towards Anna.

There was something about her presence that seemed to brighten the entire room. Mandy’s face glowed with affection every time she spoke and her laughter came easier than I had ever heard before. 

I couldn’t remember the last time she’d smiled at me like that.

Perhaps she never had.

I lowered my gaze to my untouched plate.

The nausea from earlier still lingered and my stomach churned unpleasantly. Every bite felt impossible to swallow and every word that left my mouth sounded distant to my own ears.

I was trying my best to remain polite when Mandy suddenly spoke.

“Anna will be living here from now on.”

The statement was delivered so casually, as though the matter had already been settled. 

My fingers stilled around my fork. My confusion quickly gave way to disbelief.

“Why would you make that sort of decision without telling us first?” I asked. “Whether someone moves into this house permanently isn’t something you decide alone.”

I looked at Damien instinctively. Had he known about this?

Anna immediately looked uncomfortable.

At least, she appeared uncomfortable.

“If my presence is causing any problems, sister-in-law, I can stay somewhere else,” she said softly. “I truly don’t want to make things difficult for anyone. Please don’t be upset with my mother because of me.”

Her fingers intertwined neatly on her lap while her gaze lowered.

It was the perfect picture of innocence. My brows furrowed. “That’s not what I—”

“She’ll stay.”

Damien’s voice cut through mine before I could finish.

I turned towards him. His gaze remained cold as usual.

“There is no reason to make this into an issue, Bella,” he said. “The house is large enough. We have more than enough rooms.”

The words lodged in my throat. I wanted to argue. I wanted to explain that this wasn’t even the point. But somehow I already knew it wouldn’t matter. The decision had already been made.

Besides, my opinion had simply never been necessary.

She leaned closer to him and said sweetly.

“Thank you so much big brother. You’ve always been so over protective of me. 

The conversation moved on as though nothing had happened. My lips pressed into a thin line, the corners tightening as I held them there.

After dinner, Damien was immediately pulled away by Anna, who chatted nonstop, her voice bright and effortless. They leaned close together, whispering, laughing softly, sharing that world I clearly had no part of.

The happiness I’d felt earlier from the silver bracelet, from the fleeting hope that Damien cared was gone, replaced by pain. 

I stood up, about to head back to my room. 

“Clean the table before you leave,” Mandy said, not even looking at me.

‘Why should I do that when there are clearly maids being paid to do exactly just that.’ 

But I clenched my jaw, the words I wanted to spit out caught in my throat. 

Swallowing my anger and humiliation, I packed up the plates and dropped them all in the kitchen. 

Then I went back to my room. Before I could close the door behind me, Damien stepped in.

My head immediately turned towards him.

“So my opinion doesn’t matter anymore? Why did you shut me down like that downstairs?” My voice was filled with so much pain and resentment.

He sighed.

“Bella, don’t start this again.”

The dismissal came so quickly that it almost made me laugh.

“Don’t start what exactly?”

“This.”

He gestured vaguely.

“Anna needed somewhere to stay. We have plenty of guest rooms. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

I stared at him. For several seconds I simply stared. Because somehow he genuinely didn’t understand. Or maybe he didn’t care enough to understand.

“Right,” I said bitterly.

His expression remained calm and unbothered.

The complete opposite of the animated man I had watched laughing with Anna downstairs.

“Just let it go,” he said again. “It isn’t a big deal.”

He couldn’t even say I’m sorry. Just that—dismissal, clean and effortless.

I swallowed it down, forcing myself not to spiral. If I stayed on this, I’d only get more hurt. So I changed the topic into something else. 

“That bracelet,” I said, my voice tightening again. “Why is it on Anna’s wrist? I thought you bought it for me.”

His expression barely changed.

“My assistant bought it as a welcome gift for her return under my instruction,” Then he added casually. “If you want one, I’ll have another one ordered for you.”

I nodded faintly, then my voice dropped slightly as I gathered myself.

“Actually, there’s something I need to tell you ab—“ 

Suddenly, a sharp, piercing cry cut through the air.

Damien’s entire expression changed in an instant. He bolted toward the sound, his long strides covering the distance in seconds.

Startled, I followed behind him, my feet moving before my mind could catch up.

When we reached the hallway, I saw Anna sprawled on the floor, with one hand clutching her ankle and the other pressed against her cheek. 

A strained sound slipped past her lips and Damien’s composure shattered completely as he dropped to her side instantly.

“Anna, don’t move.”

Without hesitation, he slipped an arm behind her back and another beneath her knees before lifting her into his arms.

She instinctively curled against his chest and clung to him. His hold tightened around her protectively.

I stopped several feet away.

Something unpleasant twisted inside my stomach.

Because in all the years I had known Damien, I had never seen him look so terrified over anyone.