Chapter 28: You Knew?
The drive back home was quiet, the kind of quiet that let Bella’s thoughts crowd and echo louder than the city noise outside.
Raymond’s voice still lingered in her ears — that broken edge to his tone when he’d admitted his father had stripped him of everything, the way his eyes had softened when she told him he was more than what everyone painted him to be.
She shook her head as she pulled into Chloe’s street, forcing those thoughts away. It was late. Timothy would be asleep by now. That was all that mattered.
She sighed as she got off the car and headed to the door.
When she pushed the door open, the sound of soft laughter reached her. Chloe and Rachel were curled up on the sofa, the glow of the television flickering across their faces.
Rachel, sat cross-legged in her hoodie and jeans, her long dark hair tied up in a messy bun. Chloe leaned comfortably beside her, a blanket tossed over her legs.
Both women looked up the second Bella walked in.
"You’re back," Chloe said, smiling softly.
Bella dropped her bag on the entryway chair and kicked off her shoes with a sigh. "Yes, I am, obviously," she said dryly as she slumped on the single couch next to Chloe.
Rachel tilted her head, studying her sister’s face. "You look tired."
"I am tired," Bella admitted, rubbing at her temple. "Where’s Timothy?"
"Sleeping," Chloe answered. "I tucked him in about thirty minutes ago. Out like a light. He had too much fun with the puzzle I brought earlier."
The corner of Bella’s lips lifted. "Good. Thank you."
Chloe got up to bring Bella’s food, which had been left for her in the microwave. A moment later she returned with a warm bowl of pasta, the steam carrying the faint scent of herbs and tomato. "Eat," she said firmly as she set it in Bella’s hands.
Bella arched a brow but accepted it, twirling the fork absentmindedly through the noodles. "You always act like my mother," she muttered before taking the first bite.
Chloe grinned, settling back onto the couch. "Someone has to."
Rachel smirked but stayed quiet, her gaze flicking between them.
"So," Chloe started after a beat, voice laced with curiosity, "what did Raymond want with you tonight?"
Bella sighed, leaning back with the bowl in her lap. "You don’t waste time, do you?" she asked before scooping another forkful into her mouth.
"Nope," Chloe said, grinning. "Tell me everything."
Rachel perked up, her eyes wide. "Who’s this Raymond? Is he handsome?" she asked with a wink.
Chloe jab her. "Don’t even think of it. He only sees Bella——"
Bella groaned, cutting Chloe off. "Can you both just let me eat? And who says he sees just me?"
"I won’t let you be until you’ve spilled. So, what did he want?" Chloe pressed.
"He called because he was in a bad mood," Bella said slowly, lowering her hand, "he just needed someone to talk to. Apparently, his father basically stripped him of his inheritance tonight and handed the company to Jake, so he was... devastated."
Rachel nodded as though she’d gotten the memo. "Oh."
Bella looked up, waiting for Chloe’s reaction — but instead of surprise, she saw something flicker across her friend’s face. Not shock. But instead of was something she recognized as guilt.
"You knew," Bella said suddenly, her fork clattering against the bowl.
Chloe froze. "Bella—"
"You knew?" Bella repeated, sharper this time, her voice carrying an edge that made Rachel’s head snap toward them.
She could feel it that Bella was getting mad and she didn’t need her sister mad for what she’d been hoping to discuss with her. Rachel thought.
Chloe’s shoulders slumped. "Yes. I knew. How can I not? I’ve been working there since he came and I have a crush on him so of course I knew. I had thought he’d tell you until he came to my office that morning after he walked you to the CEO’s office and specifically asked me not to say anything. I asked why and he said he wanted to get to know you without the superior thing—"
Bella’s chest tightened, anger rushing up hot and unyielding. "So you lied to me. Both of you. I could excuse him, but you? Why did you lie to me?"
"It wasn’t lying," Chloe said quickly, her tone defensive now.
"I asked at the cafeteria and you denied it so of course that’s lying! Except you have another definition for lying!"
"It was his truth to share, not mine, Bella. I was just—"
"Protecting him?" Bella snapped, her eyes blazing. "What about me, Chloe? I’ve trusted you with everything, and you didn’t think I deserved to know who I was dealing with?"
Rachel glanced nervously between them. "Bella—"
But Bella wasn’t done. She shoved the half-eaten pasta onto the table with a clatter, rising to her feet. "Unbelievable. First Raymond hides it, now you keep it for him. And you both expect me to just... what? Be fine with it?"
Chloe reached out, panic flashing in her eyes. "Bella, please—"
"Don’t," Bella cut in coldly, stepping back. "Don’t you dare ask me to understand. I’m done for tonight."
The room fell silent, heavy with the sting of her words. Bella grabbed her bag from the chair, her movements sharp and fueled by fury. Without another glance at Chloe or Rachel, she strode to the door, her chest tight with betrayal, and slammed it behind her as she left.
Chloe sank back onto the couch, her face pale, while Rachel sat frozen, her mouth half-open, her words swallowed by the storm Bella had left behind.
Now she’d have to wait till her sister was calm before she could discuss her own problem with her.
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