Without hesitation, Braxton ripped the tape off Bella’s mouth, and Bella begged him in tears, “Braxton, don’t touch me. I’m begging you, okay?”
Skimming the door behind him, Braxton nodded heavily, “Bella, don’t cry. I won’t bully you.”
He sat up, went to the door and opened it. Outside the door Richard and his wife were listening carefully, then suddenly saw his son come out, surprised and asked, “Son, why did you come out?”
“Mom, you guys go to bed. I know how to do it.”
Jennifer looked suspicious and looked at her son a few times, “What do you mean? Are you embarrassed that I’m here with your father?”
Braxton nodded with a red face, “Yes …”
Richard laughed, “Our son has really grown up. He’s actually embarrassed.”
Jennifer was also very happy and patted her son’s shoulder, “That’s good. We’ll go to sleep. You mustn’t disappoint mom and dad’s expectations. You must sleep with her.”
“Okay, mom.”
“Her medicine can only last five hours. It’s been an hour now. You must make the most of the remaining four hours.”
Braxton nodded again, and Jennifer was relieved and said to her husband, “Let’s go. Let’s also go and rest. I’m really tired after tossing about for half a day.”
Seeing her parents going upstairs wearily, Braxton hurriedly returned to the house and went to the bedside and said to Bella, “I’ve tricked my parents away.”
Bella’s tears still fell uncontrollably, but it was no longer for despair, but relief for Braxton.
“Bella, don’t cry. I won’t bully you anymore. Don’t cry.”
When Braxton saw that she was still crying, he couldn’t help but panic a bit and used his own arm to vigorously wipe her tears.
“Braxton, thank you.”
Bella sniffed, choked and thanked him. Braxton showed a silly smile, “You don’t need to thank me …”
“Will you go dial down that camera on the wall?”
Braxton took a look at the wall and immediately agreed, “Okay.”
He walked over and yanked off the flashing red camera, slammed it to the floor, and crushed it with his foot.
After crushing it, he sat back down on the edge of the bed and asked with a promise, “Bella, is my dad a bad guy?”
“Yes, your father is very, very bad, so remember, Braxton, never be like your father!”
Braxton nodded in seeming understanding, “Okay, I’ll listen to Bella.”
“Will you get me my phone? I need to call for someone to rescue me.”
Right now, Braxton was Bella’s only hope, and while Richard had already gone upstairs to rest, she had to escape as soon as possible, or else the consequences would be unthinkable once he woke up.
“Where’s your phone?”
“It’s in the pocket of my shirt.”
Braxton touched Bella’s clothes once and shook his head, “No.”
“Is there a car key?”
“No, there’s nothing.”
She closed her eyes in pain. Richard was treacherous and actually took all her cell phone and car keys.
Seeing that she was about to cry again, Braxton said urgently, “Bella, don’t cry. Don’t cry. Mommy said your medicine won’t work in four hours.”
She suddenly opened her eyes, “Can I move after four hours?”
“Yes.”
She took a deep breath, “Okay, Braxton, do me a favor, please.”
“What?”
“Will you go steal my phone and car keys for me later while your parents are asleep?”
Braxton was a little nervous, “What if we’re found out?”
“Be careful. These things should be in the pockets of your dad’s shirt. I trust you, and you’ll be fine.”
Bella looked at him trustingly, and after a brief moment of nervousness, Braxton finally agreed, “Okay, Bella, I’ll help you.”
As time passed, Bella was eager for the pesticide effect on her body to dissipate as soon as possible. She had to escape from this evil kiln.
“Bella, my dad must be asleep already. I’m going to steal something for you.”
“Good.”
Bella agreed gratefully and became nervous.
Braxton went upstairs stealthily to his parents’ bedroom door and secretly opened the door a crack. When he saw that the house was dark, he was sure that his parents were asleep.
Richard’s clothes were on the couch. Braxton slipped in, squatting on the edge of the couch stretching his hand haphazardly, and actually touched Bella’s cell phone and car keys. He was secretly pleased, took something and escaped.
“Bella, Bella, I’ve got it. I’ve got it …”
Braxton excitedly held up the keys and cell phone in his hand. The effects of the drug on Bella had gone. When Braxton came back, she was already dressed, grateful, or him, “Braxton, thank you. Thank you very much.”
Fearing that undue delay might bring trouble, she took the car keys and ran outside. Braxton followed closely behind her to the car parked outside. Bella just wanted to pull open the door, but heard a lost voice behind her, “Bella, from now on, I will never see you again, right?”
Her hand froze in mid-air. She slowly turned around and saw Braxton’s tears falling down his face. Bella choked up and walked up to him, wanting to speak, but not knowing what to say.
Richard did dirty deeds to her, so she so far would no longer have any connection with the family. But Braxton was such a heartbreaking child. How could she say to him that she broke with their family from now on…
“You should go. My dad will wake up later and he’ll definitely tie you up again.”
Braxton wiped his tears with his sleeve, as if he grew up for a moment. He didn’t pester Bella to keep her from leaving like he used to.
Bella gritted her teeth. She did not say anything, strode to the car, pulled open the door to sit in. When she was ready to start the engine, she saw Braxton squatting on the ground crying like an abandoned child. She was heartbroken and pushed open the door, jumping down, reaching out to hug Braxton. She tearfully said, “I will never forget your help today. Braxton, thank you, and take care!”
She gazed at him for a moment, kissed him heavily on the forehead, got up and went back to the car, started the engine and left.
This time, she was really gone.
Through the car’s mirror, she saw Braxton waving vigorously. She was so heartbroken that she shed tears bitterly. His kindness was worthy of her return with a kiss. Braxton, goodbye.
Bella rushed back to B City overnight. Kevin was very surprised that she returned in the early morning, “Bella, why are you back at this time?”
She didn’t say anything and hugged him, sobbing.
“What happened?”
Kevin stiffened and asked urgently.
She shook her head, “Nothing. I just miss you.”
Even though she felt much grievances and hatred in her heart, she didn’t divulge a single word about what Richard had done to her, not because she was afraid of Richard, nor did she have gratitude for him. But because she knew Kevin’s temper. If she told him what had happened tonight, he would make sure that Richard’s family would die horribly. She didn’t care if Richard and his wife would die. What she cared about was the innocent Braxton, that poor child. If he lost his parents, how was he going to survive in this complicated and chaotic world …
For two days in a row, Bella was down in spirit. Her original reasons let her bored and she was humiliated by Richard. Although she didn’t really lose her virginity, the humiliation of being stripped and slapped still left a big shadow in her heart.
Blanche saw her daughter-in-law moping all day long, knowing that she was worried about the inability to have children. Thinking of Adiana had said before that bad moods directly would affect pregnancy, she decided to take her daughter-in-law out for a walk.
That evening after dinner, Blanche left her daughter-in-law in the living room and said amiably, “Bella, would you accompany mom to a party tomorrow?”
“What kind of party?”
Bella asked softly.
“It’s the birthday party for the wife of the chairman of the Hannah Group.”
“Can’t you have Dad accompany you?”
Bella didn’t want to go.
“Your father has social intercourse tomorrow too, so we won’t be able to get together.”
“What about Lena?”
“Not to mention Lena. She is going to hold some ping pong tournament at school in the next two days. I can’t even see her because she goes out early and comes back at dusk.”
Bella was in a bit of a dilemma. She didn’t want to attend, but was not quite ready to refuse her mother-in-law. Blanche saw her silence, knew what she was thinking, smiled and asked, “Shouldn’t you want to refuse, right?”
“Mom, I …”
“Well, don’t refuse me. We just go together. You’re staying at home all day and almost have cabin fever. Going out for a walk is good for your pregnancy.”
At the mention of pregnancy, Bella’s eyes dimmed, “Mom, I’m sorry. I’ve been unable to satisfy your wish to have a grandchildren.”
Blanche patted the back of her hand, “It’s okay. I said that no matter what, you are the daughter-in-law of our Jones-Sharps family. You won’t be blamed for any reason.”
“Thank you, mom …”
“But you can’t give up on yourself. I have great expectations for you.”
“Okay.”
“What about the banquet tomorrow?”
“Go ahead.”
Blanche smiled in satisfaction once her daughter-in-law agreed.
The next morning, Bella got up and pulled Kevin up, then walked over to the wardrobe and said to him, “Pick up a shirt for me.”
Kevin sleepily asked, “Why do you want me to pick up a dress?”
“I’m going to go to a party with mom today, and I want to dress nicely.”
As soon as he heard that she was getting ready to go out, Kevin came to his senses and traced his slender fingers around several rows of clothes, “Let’s go with this one.”
The one he picked out was a long dark green dress without too many busy decorations, only a black belt at the waist.