Chapter 2: A New Me

Bella's POV

They say after every storm comes clarity. I don't know if I believe that, but what I know is that when I walked out of Eric's life, I walked into a void.

I had nothing but my name. Everything Eric had bought for me, every property, every penny, was taken by his mother after the divorce. The only thing that was left, which I doubt he or his mother knew, was exposure. Eric had introduced me to the beauty world, to salon moguls and cosmetic CEOs. I'd been the silent wife sitting beside him, but I had listened, watched, and when the time came, I stepped forward. Building my brand behind his back.

While I was married to him, I secretly built my beauty brand. People started noticing. And by the second week of my divorce, Belle's Beauty was at every beauty counter, every influencer's feed, and murmured in boardrooms. My company, my empire.

One evening, standing at the Grand Marlton Hotel for the Investor's Forum, I wore a beautiful red dress, hoping to convince potential investors my dream was worth millions. My hands trembled, but I knew this was my chance.

"Bella Hayes?" A hostess in black guided me toward my table. "You'll be presenting in fifteen minutes."

I nodded. "Thank you."

I walked across the room, past men and women in beautiful, tailored clothes. My seat was at the corner, under the banner that read, Innovations in Beauty & Lifestyle.

I set my bag down, exhaling slowly.

"You'll be fine." A soft voice came, calming me.

I turned, and beside me sat a woman with silver hair.

"I'm... I'm Bella," I stammered.

"I know," she smiled. "I read your file, Belle's Beauty. That's an interesting concept. Clean beauty with a luxury feel and an affordable touch. Investors will eat this up."

Before I could thank her, my name was called.

I walked to the podium, the deck trembling slightly in my hand. I looked out into the crowd, and my heart raced instantly.

"Good evening. My name is Bella Hayes, founder of Belle's Beauty. I started this brand with one vision. Beauty that outlasts the moment. Because life smudges, it cracks, and it tests us. But women..." my throat tightened, but still, I pushed through, "...women are stronger than any of it. My products are designed for them, for us."

Pictures were shown on the projector slides. And after it was over, everywhere was silent. I feared I failed, but then, everyone clapped. I was filled with relief. Stepped offstage with my heart pounding when I felt someone's eyes on me.

That's when I met him. Cole Warren.

When I passed his table, he stood. "Ms. Hayes," he said in a low voice. "Cole Warren. Warren Capital Holdings."

I blinked. Everyone in business knew the name. Warren Capital didn't just fund companies, it turned them into empires.

"Mr. Warren," I managed.

"Impressive pitch," he said. "But I'd like to hear more. Dinner, perhaps?"

Dinner with Cole Warren? Someone pinch me, cause I must be dreaming.

We did have that dinner together, but that dinner turned into another. And another. At first, we spoke about business. He asked about a lot, and I answered brilliantly. Slowly, our conversation shifted from business to childhood, from childhood to fears. He told me about his beginnings. How he'd taken Warren Capital from his father's modest firm and turned it into a global powerhouse.

Seven months passed. And one evening, Cole invited me to his penthouse. He poured me wine, moving smoothly, but there was obvious tension in his behaviour.

"Bella," he said, standing across from me.

"Yes?" I whispered.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. He opened it, revealing a beautiful, stunning diamond ring. He then got on one knee.

"Marry me," he said.

"Cole," I said with my trembling lips.

"You don't have to answer now," he said quickly. "But I want you to know, Bella. I don't see you as fragile, or weak, or broken. I see you as a strong, independent woman. And I want forever with you."

"Of course, Cole," I smiled, stretching out my hand for him to put the ring. "I will marry you."

"You will?"

"Of course, silly."

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Our wedding came swiftly. I wore lace again, but this time, everything was better.

Cole stood at the altar, looking taller than I remembered. His eyes were locked on mine. When I walked toward him, every memory of who I was before faded away. I wasn't the Bella who had married Eric Damon. I wasn't the barren wife, the humiliated bride, or the broken woman.

I was Bella Hayes, the CEO and founder of Belle's Beauty, and the soon-to-be Bella Warren.

Cole and I spoke our vows with conviction. And then the priest's voice broke through. As he made the final statement.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

The congregation chuckled, their soft laughter echoed in the building. Cole's hand reached for mine. But suddenly, everything shifted around me. My chest tightened, and my vision swayed. The chandeliers above me were bending into warped shapes of light. My hands trembled. It was creeping through my fingertips.

I tried to breathe, but it was hard. The room spun around me.

Cole's voice reached me. It was low and sounded worried. "Bella?" he called out. "Bella? Is everything okay? Are you okay?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but couldn't. No sound came out. My knees buckled, and my body got closer to the ground all of a sudden.

Everyone gasped collectively. The music stopped.

"Bella!" Cole screamed as he rushed. His arms caught me before I hit the floor. There was panic in his voice. "Bella... Bella, please don't do this to me. Stay with me, my love. Please stay with me."

But everywhere was getting dark. The surroundings felt heavy. And the last thing I heard before my eyes shut completely was someone shouting above the chaos.

"Call the ambulance!"