“I think I should immediately find out where Bella is.”
After getting dressed and ready for work, Edward, who was still sitting on the couch, spoke to Julia, who was busy applying makeup to her face.
The beautiful woman immediately turned. Then she stared at Edward while shaking her head repeatedly. It was as if she was signaling for Edward not to do what he had just said.
“No need, dear,” Julia said.
Edward looked confused. Why was Julia stopping him from searching? After all, Bella had clearly run away, carrying a baby in her belly, which incidentally was the result of IVF using Edward and Julia’s genes.
Was it because Julia was still angry with Bella for what had happened before? Or—
“No,” Julia shook her head. “What I mean is, you don’t need to search anymore. I’ve already instructed someone to find Bella’s whereabouts. So, you don’t have to bother spending money to pay someone to find that cursed woman!”
Edward nodded in understanding. It seemed his wife had already deployed people to search for Bella’s current location.
If he were honest, Edward really wanted to meet and be close with Bella again. But, if her leaving or disappearing could make Bella’s situation better, Edward would reluctantly accept her departure.
“All right then. But if Bella is still not found within a week, let me search on my own terms.”
“No need, Edward,” Julia rejected outright. Don’t you trust what I said? Or maybe you intentionally want to find Bella and hide her somewhere so that you both can resume your relationship secretly?”
“Julia,” Edward shook his head. He couldn’t believe Julia would suspect him so much. “I didn’t even think that far.”
“You’re lying!”
Julia looked incredulous. Her face turned angry.
“I’m not lying,” Edward approached. He looked at Julia in a certain way. “Besides, I agreed to your request the other day. I won’t go back on it.”
“Fine then. Listen to me. No need to search for Bella. Let me handle this.”
“But…” Edward interjected. “You won’t hurt her, will you?”
“No need to worry.”
Julia then faced the mirror. She continued applying makeup.
“Are you sure you’re still going out?”
Edward asked to make sure. Earlier, Julia had asked for permission to go out of town for two days to attend an event for a famous brand. Initially, Edward wanted to refuse because he was worried Julia’s condition was still not 100% stable.
“Yes, Edward. I can’t miss this event.”
“But what about your condition?”
Julia smiled. Her face looked bright. After all, her condition couldn’t be bad, especially when it came to meeting Santiago.
“I’m fine, dear. You don’t have to worry.”
“Okay then. I’ll go to work first. Take care of yourself. And…” Edward paused for a moment. “Take care of our future child in your belly too.”
Julia nodded. She let Edward go. Believing her husband had left the house, Julia screamed in frustration. In one swift motion, all the neatly arranged makeup tools on the dressing table scattered on the floor.
“Arrghhhh, damn it!!!”
Julia’s breath rose and fell. Her frustration reached its peak.
“Why am I pregnant, huh? Oh God, Julia Estelle. Whose child is in your belly?”
Julia closed her eyes tightly. Trying to calm herself, she took deep breaths repeatedly.
“This must be Santiago’s child. Yes, this is Santiago Moralez’s child.”
Julia tried to console herself. If this was indeed Santiago’s child, she would have to demand responsibility, either to be married or at the very least to be supported financially.
But what if the child in Julia’s belly wasn’t Santiago’s?
“What if the baby in my belly is Edward’s?” Julia asked herself. “Ah, it doesn’t matter. But… what if it’s Aaron’s child? Oh God. I’ll go crazy if that’s the case.”
Julia shook with fear. Worried that the baby in her belly was indeed Aaron’s, the man she had always used for fun and comfort when Edward refused to touch her.
“No. This is not Aaron’s. In this meeting, I have to win Santiago’s heart and make that wealthy man happy. Then, slowly I have to let him know that I’m pregnant with his child.” Julia nodded repeatedly. Confident in her own plan. “Yes, I have to do that. Besides, Santiago loves me so much. But if Santiago refuses to take responsibility, then Edward will have to be the father of the baby in my belly.”
Julia continued to repeat those words. Praying in her heart that everything she planned would go according to what she hoped for.
***