Family drama

The doorbell rang, and Bella dragged herself off the bed, padding to the door.

“Damon? It’s way too early for this. I was expecting James. Come in.”

What the hell is she wearing? he thought, his eyes narrowing. Those tiny shorts and that little top, is she trying to kill me?

“Have a seat. I’ll make coffee. Oliver’s at the park; he’ll be back soon.” She turned, and he was suddenly right in front of her.

“Bella, just let me explain.”

“Go ahead,” “Start with whatever your brother has on you.”

He froze, his face going pale. “I…”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. You can’t even tell the truth. You’ll always be my baby daddy, though.” She watched the espresso machine sputter coffee into the cup.

“I killed my girlfriend,” Damon blurted.

“What? How?”

“I lost control and beat her to death.”

Her hands trembled. He stepped closer, grabbing them. “I’d never do that to you.”

Bella let out a shaky laugh. “Sure. I’ve seen firsthand what your brother’s capable of. Sugar?”

“No, thanks.” He handed her the coffee.

“So, you thought I wouldn’t forgive you and let your brother take me? Did you think I was lying when I said I loved you?”

“Of course not. But this is unforgivable. I’m a monster, but you changed me. You lit something in me, Bella. I love you.”

“Stop. If you did, you’d have found us by now. Sorry. She moved past him, but he cornered her, his face inches away. He leaned in to kiss her, but she slapped her hand over his mouth.

“Not cheating, thanks. Did you sign the contracts?”

Cheating? He tortures you, and he’s in a wheelchair. “He paused. I did. Made a few corrections, but it’s all good. Thanks, Bella.”

He is my husband, and now I need you to respect that. “How’s Kayla?”

“You’ve been keeping tabs on me? I just divorced her. She trapped me during one of my drunken nights after you left. Anyway, she’s gone. Never touched her.”

“But you had fun, didn’t you?” She sipped her coffee, watching his reaction as she crossed her legs.

“Do we really need to talk about this? No one else mattered, if that’s what you’re asking.”

I need to change and go, let yourself out. James might come and have him wait for me.

James came and he was about to go into the bedroom, when he heard a gun cocking.

You take one more step and I will kill you, I saw how you look at her, does she know?

Lucas was listening, they didn’t even look at him, like he was a piece of furniture.

Before Damon could respond, the door swung wider, and he quickly tucked the gun behind his back. With one swift motion, he scooped Oliver up.

“Can you get him changed? I’ll take him,” Damon said to the nanny, his tone clipped. He adjusted the gun in his holster, his jaw tight.

Then, as if flipping a switch, he peppered Oliver with kisses. “Come on, buddy, let’s have a little chat,” heading toward the exit, the nanny trailing behind.

He returned with Oliver, who was still chuckling, but his grin faded when he spotted her kissing Lucas.

“How about we celebrate our little business success?” Sophie suggested, her tone light. “Dinner, maybe?”

Damon raised an eyebrow. “What time?”

“An hour. Meet you there?” She smiled at him.

“Fine,” scooping Oliver up and peppering his cheek with kisses. “See you later, buddy.”

Just as he was about to leave, the door flew open, and his family poured in like a storm. Elene breezed past him, making a beeline for Luca. “What the hell did you do to my son?” she demanded, shooting Bella a sharp look.

“It was an accident,” Bella said quickly, her voice steady. “We both got hurt, but he’s recovering. Slowly.” She reached out to touch Luca’s hand.

Elene slapped her hand away. “Don’t you dare touch him. I know what you’ve done.”

Bella’s gaze flicked to Giana, who stood there with a smug smile. So now we’re playing dirty, Bella thought. Giana’s grin widened, as if she could read her mind.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Bella said coolly. “Well, okay, maybe I did, but I fixed it.”

Elene crossed her arms. “I’m taking my boy and my grandchild. You’ll sign the divorce papers.”

Bella laughed, bitter and sharp. “Not happening. He’s my husband, and you can get the hell out of here.”

“This isn’t over, Bella,” Tom warned, his voice low. With that, they all turned and left.

Damon stared at her, his expression unreadable. “You love him?”

“Of course I do, Damon” her voice soft but firm.

“But he tortured you,” “You did this to him, and now you’re playing the good wife?”

“Fuck you, Damon,” Bella snapped. “I don’t owe you an explanation. Get out.”

Damon slammed the door on his way out. Bella crumpled to the floor at Luca’s feet. His hand brushed her head gently. She rested her forehead on his lap and let the tears fall.

The hospital felt like a distant memory now. She didn’t feel like a doctor anymore. They waited in his office, her hand gripping his tightly.

“Okay,” doctor said finally. “I think we can fix this. Full recovery’s possible, but it’ll take time and patience. Now, I didn’t ask, what other parts of his body still function?”

“His eyes,” Bella replied. “And now his hand. That’s it.”

“Interesting,” doctor said, glancing at Lucas. “Tonight, we prep. It’s a long surgery, but we’ll hope for the best.”

“Thank you,” Bella said quietly. “We’ll be here.”

On the way home, Bella glanced at Lucas. “What are you hiding from me?” He blinked slowly, avoiding her gaze. “Fine,” “You’ll tell me when we get home.”

They helped him onto the bed, propping him up with pillows before everyone left the room. Bella leaned close, her tone firm. “I’m waiting. You can move your hand, right? Just gesture.”

Lucas extended his hand hesitantly, and she took it, resting her head on his chest. “I miss your touch, Lucas,”

He closed his eyes, and she kissed him softly, climbing on top of him. Then she felt it.

His eyes snapped open, and she locked onto his gaze. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered, her voice breaking. Her kiss deepened as his hand brushed her hip. She unzipped his pants, guiding him inside her. A soft moan escaped her lips. “Lucas, I need you,” she breathed.

Her movements quickened, her hips rolling against him as she pulled off her shirt, chest pressing against him. “I miss you,” she gasped between moans, her back arching as she came undone. She collapsed onto him, still feeling him hard inside her.

“You really thought I wouldn’t want you?” “Lucas, I love you, you stupid man.” She kissed him again, her tears mingling with kisses.

The ride to the hospital felt short, her hand did not leave him. Lucas, no matter what happens, I love you; she told him to look him in the eyes. I will never leave you.

He blinked. Luca’s thoughts were on how this surgery is going to fix him. First, he’ll kill James and then his brother. His anger was back, and he needed blood. Bella forgot, he is a cold-blooded killer, well was, but after tonight he hoped he’ll be back. He missed touching her. Now he knew she loved him, really loved him.