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Bella woke up feeling the aftermath of last night’s indulgence, her stomach still upset from the alcohol.
She staggered to the bathroom and immediately felt the urge to vomit again.
Afterward, Axel rushed to her side with water and some hangover medicine.
“Bella, I remember you used to handle your alcohol much better.
How did you end up so drunk last night?” he asked, concerned.
“I haven’t touched alcohol in the last three years.
.
.
so, naturally, I got drunk so quickly last night,” Bella said, her voice low and tired.
She couldn’t help but think of Justin.
During their marriage, she had avoided alcohol because she knew he didn’t like women who smelled like it.
Axel shook his head, handing her more water.
“Well, if you were really pregnant with Justin’s child, that would be something,” he teased lightly.
A flicker of sadness crossed Bella’s face as she replied, “If I were pregnant with Justin’s child.
.
.
I don’t even want to think about it.
“
Axel grinned.
“What would we do? Of course, we’d help you raise the kid.
The child is innocent, no matter who the father is.
“
Bella sighed.
“Don’t worry, I’m not carrying his child.
He’s not worth it,” she said bitterly, already feeling the pang of old wounds.
Axel then probed further, “Do you remember what happened last night?”
Bella closed her eyes, trying to focus on the haze of memories.
“I remember confronting Zeke Gold, and I think Justin showed up at some point.
.
.
but after that, it’s all a blur.
“
Axel raised an eyebrow.
“You really don’t remember?” He chuckled.
“I think I saw you hugging him in the bathroom and wiping your nose on his shirt.
“
Bella gasped, her cheeks flushing.
“What?!”
Axel couldn’t help but laugh.
“If I hadn’t shown up when I did, you might have… well, who knows what might’ve happened.
“
Bella frowned.
“He wouldn’t have done anything.
Justin’s not like Ryan.
“
Axel shot her a look.
“Why are you defending him?” he asked, shaking his head.
“I’m not defending him,” Bella replied, her voice tinged with frustration.
“I just think.
.
.
he’s not a bad guy.
He’s just heartless with me.
“
Axel smirked.
“Well, this jerk actually asked me if I would marry you.
He told me not to play with your feelings, saying you’re just an ordinary girl and can’t take being hurt again.
“
Bella’s eyes widened.
“Why did he mention this to you?” she asked, a little suspicious.
Axel shrugged, looking quite pleased with himself.
“He mistook me for Asher, so I played along.
Told him not to touch my girl.
” He laughed at the memory of Justin’s reaction.
“He was furious!”
Bella couldn’t hold back a frustrated punch to Axel’s shoulder.
“What the hell, Axel?!”
Steven, who had been quietly preparing breakfast, cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“I made breakfast because I knew you’d be starving after last night,” he said with a grin, though he quickly averted his eyes when Bella, still in her pink silk nightgown, came downstairs.
She looked effortlessly sexy despite the hangover, and Steven’s face turned red, making him nervously focus on his cooking.
Axel, however, was not so easily distracted.
He shot Bella a stern look.
“Hey, there are single men in this house, Bella.
Can you be a little more considerate?”
Bella rolled her eyes and took a bite of her sandwich.
“I’m tired of wearing white dresses and sneakers every day.
I’m wearing whatever I want now! Who can stop me?”
Steven blinked, confused.
“Were you teaching Sunday school or something? You’ve been wearing white dresses and sneakers for three years, you know.
“
Axel and Bella responded in unison, “None of your business!”
As Bella made herself look more presentable, applying makeup and choosing an elegant white skirt suit paired with Jimmy Choo heels, she couldn’t shake the thought of Justin.
Despite the headache and everything that had happened, she was back to being the confident boss of KS World Hotel.
But deep inside, the emotional turmoil was still there, gnawing at her.
After a few moments of contemplation, Bella realized she had to push through and face the day.
Axel gave her a final piece of advice.
“Don’t let him get to you, Bella.
You deserve better.
“
Bella paused at the door and gave him a faint, soft smile.
“I know.
.
.
but it’s hard to forget someone who once meant everything to you.
“
With that, she left the house, trying to put on the mask of confidence while her heart remained conflicted, torn between the past and the future.
