جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 38

(Bella’s POV)The soft melody of a live orchestra drifted through the grand ballroom, replacing the quiet chatter of business discussions. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead while executives, investors, celebrities, and influential families mingled with glasses of champagne in their hands. The atmosphere became elegant, sophisticated, and filled with laughter until the master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage.“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced with a bright smile, "thank you all for joining us today. Before we continue with the rest of the day, we'd like to invite every couple onto the dance floor for our traditional gala dance.”Applause echoed across the room.I instinctively looked at Aiden.He was already looking at me.No, I shake my head at him, I don't even feel like dancing. A mischievous smile spread across his handsome face before he stood from his chair and stretched his hand toward me with an exaggerated flourish."My beautiful girlfriend," he said, executing

(Luke’s POV)“Of course I'll marry you,” Bella said, her voice trembling with emotion as she smiled down at Aiden.The words echoed through the ballroom.For a brief second everything around me went silent. The applause that erupted after her answer sounded distant, almost as if I were underwater. Guests rose from their seats, cheering and congratulating them while cameras flashed relentlessly around the newly engaged couple.I couldn’t hear any of it. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even blink.My eyes remained fixed on Bella as Aiden gently slipped the diamond ring onto her finger—the same finger that had once worn my wedding ring.A painful lump formed in my throat.It has been five years since she walked out of my life, yet seeing another man place a ring on her finger hurt just as much as the day I watched her leave. Maybe even more. Because this time it felt final.I had always believed there would be another chance. Another conversation. Another opportunity to tell her how

(Luke’s POV)I wished I could tell her that I had wanted divorce for longer than I was willing to admit. That no amount of time or effort or shared history would ever make me stop loving the woman who left. That we could never work, not really, no matter how many years we stacked on top of the original crack.But the words stayed locked behind my teeth.Part of me still didn’t know how to let go of Serena. She had been my constant when everything else collapsed. She had been kind when I was broken. And another, colder part of me whispered the practical fear I hated myself for even thinking: that she might outsmart me in a courtroom, that she could take half of everything I had built, that the life I had carefully constructed could be carved up and handed over. And deeper than that fear was the simple, human reluctance to hurt her any more than I already was.So I stood there in the small bathroom with the fluorescent light buzzing softly overhead, her tears soaking into my shirt,

(Bella's POV)"Mom," Aiden said, keeping his voice as calm as he could. "It's almost midnight.""I know what time it is, darling. Do you think I could sleep after what I saw? Mrs. Henderson sent me the video before you even finished standing up from that knee."I pressed my fingers against my forehead and closed my eyes.Of course she did."Is Bella there?" Katherine asked. "Put her on, I want to hear her voice.""She's here. You're on speaker.""Good evening, Mrs. Blackwood," I said quietly."Mrs. Blackwood?" She gasped, as if I had insulted her. "No, no, no. We are past that now, my dear. It's Mom, or Katherine at the very least, but I'm hoping for Mom."My throat tightened.I looked at Aiden. He kept his eyes on the road, but I saw the muscle in his jaw move."Okay," I said softly. "Katherine.""Oh, that voice. She sounds just like I imagined." Her voice trembled and I realized with a sinking feeling that she was crying. "Bella, you don't know what this means to me. Aiden has never