Chapter 91 - Comfessions

Bella’s POVI took in a deep breath before I finally stepped out from behind the hedges. Zayden looked different tonight. He was dressed in all black. He looked angry yet calm at the same time and his eyes were hardened that if looks could kill, I would have dropped dead by now.“What are you doing out here Bella?” He asked.“I got your package.” I raised the box.His gaze glanced toward it then back to me. “Good.” He said. “Keep it!”Then he turned to walk away. “Please don't walk away when I’m talking to you.” I went after him. “Bella…” he said, not stopping. “I’m really not in the mood tonight.”“Are you ever in the mood, Zayden?”He didn’t answer me. He just kept walking, back into the house, down the hall, up the staircase and into his room. He tried to shut the door behind him but I stopped it and went in after him. I held the box up. “These are Marco’s fingers aren’t they?”“Yes.”My chest tightened. “How could you?”“How could I what?” He said, nonchalant.“How could you

Chapter 92 - We Finally Did It

Bella’s POVI woke up wrapped in warmth.For a moment, I didn't move. I just lay there, my cheek pressed against something solid and warm. The steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath my ear. The weight of an arm draped across my waist.Then I remembered.Last night.The confession. The kiss. The way he had held me like I was the only thing keeping him alive.His lips brushed the back of my shoulder in a lazy kiss.“Buongiorno Bella,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep.I smiled despite myself. “Good morning.”He pulled me closer, turning me in his arms until we were face to face. His green eyes were soft in the morning light, his hair messy, his lips curved into a rare, genuine smile.He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. Then my nose. Then my lips.I giggled against his mouth. "You're in a good mood.""I have reason to be." He kissed me again, slower this time. "You're here. You're mine."I pulled back slightly. "I've always been yours. I was just too stubborn to admit

Chapter 93 - She’s The One

Zayden’s POVI stepped out of my room and leaned against the wall, waiting.Last night replayed in my mind like a film I couldn't stop watching. Her confession. The crack in her voice when she said the words I never thought I'd hear."I think I love you too."It wasn’t exactly a declaration of love but it was close.I had always told Bella she would come to me. I believed it. But I never imagined it would be like this. Never imagined she would give herself to me so completely that she would confess her love in the middle of the night, broken and raw and honest.The door to her room opened and pulled me away from my thoughts. She stepped out, and my breath caught.She was wearing a mini red dress. It clung to her waist and fell free at the hem, showing off her legs. Her hair was down, soft waves framing her face. She looked like sin wrapped in silk.One wrong move from her and I would completely tear her apart. She smiled at me. "Do you like it?"I walked toward her, pulling her clos

Chapter 94 - Shocking Truths

Zayden’s POVI stared at the image. At the woman. Her face. Her dress. The way she was looking at him — at Hiram — with a smile I hadn't seen on her before.I felt my jaw tighten."Where did you get this?" I asked.“It was delivered to my doorstep,” Nico answered. “Seems like Hiram knows exactly what he’s doing and what you’re looking for.”I inhaled sharply. “I can’t believe she did this.” “Calm down…you don’t know for sure if —“Before he could complete his words, I walked away. My steps echoed on the floor. “Breakfast is over,” I said as soon as I got back to the table. “Everyone leave now.”They all looked at me confused.Noemi. My mother. Bella. The staff. “Zayden…” Noemi started. “What’s going on? We haven't even started eating yet.”“Noemi,” I said firmly. “I said everyone out, now.”The staff moved immediately, slipping out of the room without a word.My mother opened her mouth to speak, but I shot her a look that silenced her before she could form a single word. She and No

Chapter 95 - I Messed Up

Bella’s POVThe door clicked shut behind them.I sat there, frozen, staring at the space where Zayden had been. The photograph lay on the table between us, still open, still accusing. My face. My dress. My hand on Marcello’s arm.I couldn't look at it anymore.I pushed it away and buried my face in my hands.What had I done?The tears came before I could stop them. Silent at first, then harder, shaking my shoulders. I had ruined everything. Everything we had just built, everything I had just confessed, everything he had just let himself feel—and I had shattered it with one stupid, ignorant mistake.I didn't know how long I sat there.Then I heard the door creak open.I looked up, quickly wiping my face.Noemi stepped inside. Her eyes softened when she saw me.“Hey," she said quietly. She walked toward me and sat in the chair beside mine. She didn't say anything at first, just sat with me, letting the silence settle.“I messed up,” I said finally. “I messed up so badly.”“We all mess u

Chapter 96 - Scream It

Bella’s POVI took another step back from him then turned around, backing him.Zayden’s voice followed me, sharp. “Bella listen—”I didn’t look at him. I reached for the hem of my dress and pulled it up slowly, over my thighs, my hips, my waist. The fabric whispered as it slid higher.“Bella, stop.” His tone darkened. “What the hell are you doing?”I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his eyes as I tugged the dress the rest of the way off and let it fall to the floor. “If you don’t want me,” I said quietly, “then you can at least watch.”“Bella. Not now. I’m serious.” He took a step forward. “You cannot do this here. I have things to sort out.”I unhooked my bra and let it drop. My nipples tightened in the cool air of the study. “Yes,” I murmured, “you can sort them out while you watch me.”I hooked my thumbs into my panties and slid them down my legs, stepping out of them until I stood completely naked in front of him.His jaw was clenched so tight a muscle jumped in his cheek.I wal