FALLING IN LOVE ALREADY?

FALLING IN LOVE ALREADY?

Chapter 005#

...Bella barely noticed the passing days. Her life had become a series of cautious movements and watchful eyes. Ever since her confrontation with Oliver, she had tried to keep her distance, yet his shadow loomed over her at every turn. She thought she could manage—until the day everything fell apart....

...She’d been walking home from the small café where she’d started working, a modest attempt to rebuild her life. The street was quiet, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. As she turned the corner, a van screeched to a halt beside her. Before she could react, hands grabbed her, a cloth pressed against her mouth. Her screams were muffled, her vision blurred, and then—darkness....

... ...

...When Bella awoke, her head throbbed, and her wrists ached from the tight bindings. She was in a dimly lit room, the air damp and heavy. Her heart raced as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. A cold voice broke through the silence....

...“Well, well, the infamous Bella Kaydenist,” a man sneered, stepping into the light. His face was unfamiliar, but his demeanor screamed danger. “Oliver Deveron’s little weakness.”...

...Her blood ran cold at his words. This wasn’t about her; it was about Oliver. She had tried so hard to avoid his world, and now it had ensnared her anyway....

...“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, her voice trembling but defiant....

...The man laughed, a chilling sound. “Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You’re the key to bringing him down. And when he comes for you—and trust me, he will—he’ll walk right into my trap.”...

... ...

...Hours passed. Bella’s wrists were raw from struggling against the ropes, but she refused to give in to despair. She needed to think, to find a way out. The sound of distant gunfire jolted her from her thoughts. Shouts and chaos erupted outside the room....

...The door burst open, and there he was. Oliver. His dark suit was smeared with blood, his eyes blazing with fury. He moved with deadly precision, taking down the guards in the room without hesitation....

...“Bella,” he breathed, rushing to her side. His hands were surprisingly gentle as he untied her bindings. “Are you hurt?”...

...Tears welled in her eyes, a mixture of relief and fear. “No, I’m okay,” she whispered....

...His jaw tightened as he cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a tear. “I’m so sorry, Bella. This should never have happened.”...

...Before she could respond, more footsteps approached. Oliver pulled her behind him, his gun raised. Another wave of attackers stormed in, but Oliver’s men arrived just in time, swiftly neutralizing the threat. One of them, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, approached....

...“We’ve secured the perimeter,” he reported. “The rest of the men are retreating.”...

...Oliver nodded, his gaze never leaving Bella. “Get her out of here,” he ordered. “Take her somewhere safe.”...

...“No,” Bella interjected, her voice firmer now. “I’m not leaving without you.”...

...Oliver’s eyes softened, but his tone remained resolute. “Bella, please. I need to finish this. I need to make sure they can’t hurt you again.”...

...Reluctantly, she allowed his men to lead her away. As she climbed into the waiting car, she looked back, her heart twisting at the sight of Oliver standing tall amidst the wreckage. She didn’t know if she’d ever see him again....

... ...

...In the weeks that followed, Bella tried to move on. She returned to her routine, but her thoughts were consumed by Oliver. She hated herself for it, but she couldn’t deny the truth: she was in love with him. Yet she refused to act on it. His world was too dangerous, too chaotic. She couldn’t live like that....

...One evening, as she sat by her apartment window, staring at the city lights, a knock at the door startled her. Her heart leapt, and for a moment, she allowed herself to hope it was him. But when she opened the door, it was only a deliveryman with a package....

...Inside was a small, velvet box. She opened it to find a delicate necklace with a single diamond pendant. A note was tucked inside:...

..."To remind you that you’re my light in the darkness. Always."...

...Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the necklace. She wanted to run to him, to tell him that she felt the same, but she knew she couldn’t. Loving him meant accepting his world, and she wasn’t ready for that....

... ...

...Months passed. Bella threw herself into her work, trying to build a life for herself. She heard whispers about Oliver’s empire, stories of how he had dismantled the enemy who had taken her. His name was always spoken in hushed tones, a mixture of fear and reverence. She avoided the news, afraid of what she might see or hear....

...But no matter how hard she tried to forget him, he was always there. In the shadows, in her dreams, in the quiet moments when her mind wandered. She loved him, but she also feared him. And so, she stayed away, convincing herself it was for the best....

...One day, as she walked through the park, she felt a familiar presence behind her. She turned, her breath catching in her throat. There he was, standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable....

...“Bella,” he said softly, taking a step closer. “I’ve given you time. Space. But I can’t stay away anymore.”...

...Her heart ached at the sight of him, but she forced herself to stand her ground. “Oliver, you don’t understand. I can’t do this. I can’t be part of your world.”...

...He nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. “I understand. But I’m not asking you to be part of my world. I’m asking you to be my world. Let me protect you, love you, the way you deserve.”...

...Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”...

...He reached out, his fingers brushing hers. “You don’t have to decide now. Just know that I’ll always be here, waiting for you. No matter how far you run, you’ll always have a place with me.”...

...With that, he stepped back, giving her the space she needed. She watched him walk away, her heart breaking all over again. She didn’t know if she’d made the right choice, but she knew one thing for certain: their story wasn’t over. Not yet....

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