Novel & Cerita Bella Staring Out Window

Kiel looks from the window of the car to see what makes his assistant took so long but a familiar face caught his attention. “Bella,” was the only words that came out of his mouth.

Bella paused, her eyes searching Hara’s face for understanding. “You know how to dance, right?” she asked, raising an eyebrow with a hint of concern. “Umm... a bit?” Hara replied, her voice wavering as she tried to recall the basics of ballroom dancing. As the car glided smoothly along the road, Hara tried to steady her breathing. The view outside was breathtaking, with the city lights sparkling like stars, but her nerves were anything but calm. She glanced at Bella, who was engrossed in her phone, her fingers moving swiftly over the screen.

But when she saw me appear unscathed on the track right beside her, the smile on her face froze. “Raine, you still dare to challenge me? Do you have a death wish?” she whispered. I gave her a big smile in return. “Thanks to you, I feel great.” Her brows furrowed tightly. Her eyes filled with confusion, but she quickly regained her composure. “You can still smile when death is staring you in the face?” She spat venomously, and turned away from me. With the sound of the starting gun, the race officially began. Eira shot out like an arrow. She was determined to prove herself with sheer speed.

Bella stood, picked up a candle, and walked down the hall to her bedroom. The gap in Marcus's door was still there. She didn't look through it. She wanted to. Inside the bedroom she sat on the edge of the bed in the dark and listened to the storm finishing itself off, and she thought about Devon's face when he'd said when I can, and Liam's two minutes, and the way Marcus had said don't stay up too late like he already knew what staying up meant. Her phone screen lit up on the nightstand. Unknown number. She stared at it through four rings.

Elara's POV The sound of the car pulling into the driveway made my stomach twist into knots. I stood by the window in our bedroom, watching as Killian got out and walked around to open the passenger door. Ruth emerged first, then helped someone else out. Bella. Even from up here, I could see she was moving slowly, carefully, like someone still recovering from a serious injury. She wore a simple dress and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail that made her look younger. More innocent.

Bella’s POV I stood at my bedroom window for what felt like hours, watching the dark driveway like a prisoner waiting for parole. I’d chosen the most modest thing I could find: a long red silk dress that covered everything, I twisted my hair into a sleek bun, and the diamonds in my ears screamed “Mendoza heiress.” I looked safe, respectable. The version of me my father wanted the world to see. My phone buzzed on my bed. Lucia: “Headlights off, back gate. NOW.”

“I… I don’t mind.” The older woman studied her for a long moment, then gave a small nod. “Still, you carry sorrow like a stone on your back. Don’t let it break you, Isla.” Bella’s throat tightened. She managed a faint smile. “I’ll try.” Mae left it at that, retreating into the kitchen. Alone again, Bella stared at the darkened window. Her reflection looked back—pale, tired, haunted. She pressed her hand to the glass, her breath fogging the surface.

Darrell The rain kept falling outside, steady and soothing, drumming against the windows like it was trying to drown out the silence inside. The living room was dim, only the soft blue flicker from the muted TV lighting our faces. Bella sat curled on her end of the couch, knees drawn up, hoodie sleeves tugged over her hands, staring at the screen without really seeing it. I sat on the other end, close enough to feel the warmth coming off her, but not close enough to crowd her.