Chapter 2015

She pulled out the photograph Matthew had given her and placed it before Kristian.

“Take a good look at this.

”

As Kristian’s eyes widened in shock, Bella continued, “I’ve seen this man in your wallet.

If you truly don’t know him, why carry a photo of strangers among your personal effects?”

Kristian’s mind raced, yet he found no words.

He had no clue where Matthew got that photo, and he was at a loss for words.

His silence confirmed Bella’s worst fears.

Tears brimmed in Bella’s eyes, and she could no longer hold them back.

Overwhelmed by betrayal, she slapped Kristian hard across the face.

“How could you deceive me like this? I entrusted you with my heart.

Why would you betray me so cruelly?”

The revelation hit Bella like a ton of bricks; she might have been living a lie for the past several years.

The thought sent sharp pains through her head as the ground seemed to shift beneath her.

“Tell me, Kristian.

Who am I

really? And who is Stella’s father?”

Her voice trembled with the weight of her doubts, doubts about everything they had shared.

Seeing Bella’s shattered trust, Kristian knew there was no coming back from this.

With Matthew and his bodyguards looming, he felt cornered, trapped.

If his crimes reached the courts, it would be his undoing.

Kristian’s mind raced for a way out.

As his gaze darted around the room, it landed on a knife used for opening envelops.

Desperation clawed at his judgment, and in a moment of madness, he grabbed Bella, pressing the knife to her throat.

Stella gasped, her voice laced with fear.

“Kristian, stop! What are you doing? Don’t make things worse!”

“Shut up!” Kristian snarled, his eyes blazing with anger as he turned to Matthew.

“Get me a car, now! I need to get out of here safely, or she’s dead!”

He tightened his grip on the knife, and a trickle of blood began to seep down Bella’s neck.

“No!” Stella’s plea was desperate.

“Please, calm down.

We’ll do it.

”

Matthew’s face was a mask of fury, yet he gave the command, “Do it.

”

At Matthew’s command, his men sprang into action, swiftly preparing a car for Kristian’s desperate escape.

With Bella as his unwilling hostage, Kristian shoved her into the car and sped away, the tires screeching a harsh farewell on the asphalt.