Chapter 38
single day.
Bella gritted her teeth. If she could control Zachary, he wouldn’t still be chasing after Gwyneth every sin
Bella’s sweet facade shattered as she advanced like a predator. “Be smart. Zachary doesn’t know, but I do. The Lopez family docin’t tolerate side chicks. Play nice, and you might get a nice payout.
“But if you keep seducing him? I’ll tell Mrs. Lopez about her new husband’s little per. I wonder what happens to you then?”
A cold gleam flickered in Bella’s eyes. The Lopez family won’t punish their playboy. Harrison. But they’ll let his wife crush Gwyneth surely
Gwyneth chuckled suddenly, Do you even know who Mrs. Lopez is? How dare you threaten me here!”
Bella had no idea. But seeing Gwyneth’s condescending smirk, she couldn’t admit her ignorance. Everyone knew the Lopez family’s rules–brides had to come from respectable families or be charming politicians or teachers, always exceptionally beautiful Otherwise, the Lopez family wouldn’t accept them.
With a burst of false bravado, Bella said, “Of course I’ve met hert Mrs. Lopez has ten times your class. She’s nothing like some homewrecking floory.”
Gwyneth burst into laughter, wiping away mock tears. “You’re so cute.”
Bella’s fists clenched until her knuckles turned white. “What’s so funny?
“How could anyone keep a straight face watching this clown act? The real Mrs. Lopez was standing right before her, yet this fool remained clueless It was ridiculous.
Hella felt a shiver run down her spine. Guilt and panic made her eyes dart around like a caged animal. Just as she tried to think of a retort, she heard rustling footsteps from behind.
A thought struck her. She burst into dramatic sobs in front of Gwyneth. Please, Gwyneth, Just talk to Zachary for my sake. He can’t sleep at night because he misses you so much. Come back with me–just sering you would let him rest properly”
Her tearful performance was almost convincing, But Gwyneth had seen through her act. This was her villa, not some cheap theater stage.
Gwyneth didn’t bother guessing who the act was for. “Your ‘sake isn’t worth a damn, she sneered, looking down with icy detachment. “Without my help, you’d still be struggling in poverty in some small town.
would
“After all these years, instead of gratitude, you dare threaten me? Remember these woods could swallow you whole and no one
Bella froze. Gwyneth had never been this vicious before. Strangely, though, she found herself enjoying this raw honesty right now.
ever know.”
As the footsteps grew closer, Bella launched into loud, choking subs. “I was wrong, she gasped dramatically. “I know you hate me. You’ve always wanted to throw me back into that small town. I deserve to starve there! I should’ve died in the mud.”
Gwyneth clenched her hands, desperate to slam the door right into Bella’s face.
Zachary arrived in a flash, pulling the sobbing Bella into his arms. He shot Gwyneth a confused and angry look. “What’s gotten into you, Gwennie? Bella’s not well! Are you trying to make her worse?
“If she’s sick, she should go home and rest. When she dies, just bury her, Gwyneth snapped, her eyes cold as she stared back at Zachary and folded her arms. “But since I dragged her out of that small town years ago….
“Do me a favor and let me know when she’s cremated. I’ll throw in some bucks for her funeral”
As the words hung in the air, Zachary’s eyes widened in disbelief. Gwyneth would never say such harsh words.
Bella felt the malice in Gwylesly’s tone and her heart sank. “Zachary, I just wanted to talk some sense into you two. And she–she actually wished me dead! How could you say that?”
“Because I want to, okay! Enough of this Gwyneth said, her voice dripping with irritation. She stepped back toward the doorway, ready to shut the
door on tient
Bi Zachary’s hand clamped down on the doorframe, stopping in. “Wait, Gwenie. I need to talk to you”
Gwyneth cursed herself for not thinking ahead. Zachary was too strong; she couldn’t budge him
As Zachary forced the door open again, Gwyneth caught a glimpse of the bitter resentment in Bella’s eyes. The other woman clung to Zachary’s Arm like a lifeline.
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Chapter 38
With Bella holding Zachary back, Gwyneth gritted her teeth and slammed the door shut with all her strength.
Zachary winced in pain. his fingers pinched and swelling up.
“Zachary, are you okay? How could she be so cruell” Bella’s eyes were wide with concern as she reached for his hand.
But Zachary shook her off gently. He clutched his aching fingers and shuffled back to the door, adopting the same wheedling tone he’d used to charm Gwyneth in the past. “Gwennie… my hand hurts. It really hurts, he called sofily through the door.
On the other side, Gwyneth heard his voice and felt a pang of nostalgia. Old memories flooded back.
Back in college, he’d faked a hand injury on the basketball court, calling out to her through the fence, begging her to stay and check on him instead of heading to the library. She’d rushed over, and he’d wrapped his arm around her, murmuring, “Gwennie, you’re the best”
The memory overlapped with Zachary’s current plea. Just take another look at me,” he said, his voice thick with false sweetness.
Gwyneth shook off the nostalgia. Her resolve strengthened. “Leave now
or I’m calling the police,” she warned.
“Gwennie? he tried again.
She was fed up with his constant whining. Without hesitation, Gwyneth dialed the security number for the villa.
The shouting outside cut off abruptly. Within moments, the well–trained guards had Bella and Zachary comered.
Bella stood behind Zachary, clinging to his sleeve and putting on a show of fear. “Gwyneth is so ruthless. She actually called security on us. Zachary, I’m scared. Do you think they hurt us?”
