The outing with Bianca, Liam, and Alexia had gone well. After shopping for the last of the decorations, they had decided to hang out for a while before heading home. By the time Bella got back, it was almost 9 p.m. Too tired to eat, she slipped straight into her room.
A knock came almost immediately after she lay down.
"It must be Mum," Bella muttered, dragging herself to the door.
"Annyeonghaseyo, Noona," Jayden greeted, pushing past her before she could react. Kayden followed, doing the same.
"I didn't ask you two to come in. Why are you here?" Bella glared.
"Sis, are you okay?" Kayden asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Neo jeongmal gwaenchanh ni, Noona?" Jayden pressed in Korean.
"Jay, can you not? Can you just speak in English for once?" Kayden rolled his eyes.
"Noona understands me. You can go to hell for all I care," Jayden retorted, sticking out his tongue.
"I said I'm fine," Bella answered firmly.
"Okay then, so why was Chris here?" Jayden asked.
"Are you two a thing now?" Kayden added.
"No, we aren't! He just dropped me off because he wanted to say hi to Mum."
"But why did he feel the need to?" Kayden asked suspiciously.
"Do you like him?" Jayden pressed.
"God, no! I don't like him. Not at all." Bella said quickly, but the butterflies in her stomach betrayed her. Heat rose in her cheeks.
"You're blushing," Kayden grinned.
"Which means you do like him," Jayden added with triumph.
"Get out!" Bella snatched a pillow and chased them toward the door.
They laughed, but Jayden paused. "How's the planning going?"
"It's fine," Bella replied.
"Where's the proposal happening?" Kayden asked.
"It's a surprise. Now get out!" Bella slammed the door shut behind them.
From the other side, they teased, "Don't be embarrassed, sis. At least we know you have a heart now. Mum was starting to worry you'd die a virgin!"
Bella sat back down, face burning. "But I don't like Chris... do I?" she thought. He was caring, friendly, charming but was that enough?
Shaking it off, she knew she needed to talk to her mum about starting treatment.
She knocked gently on Vera's door. "Mum, are you still awake?"
"Yes, darling. Come in."
Bella sat on the bed beside her. "Mum, I found out."
"Found out what?"
"That I lost some of my memory."
Vera's shoulders sank. "I'm sorry, darling. I didn't want to hurt you."
"I always had a hunch something wasn't right. Christian told me we met at the gala, but I had no memory of ever attending. I even remembered telling Bianca that my birthday was two days before it, but I couldn't remember celebrating turning eighteen. When you and Bianca didn't answer my calls, I had no choice but to ask him. He explained a few things."
"You must be upset with me," Vera whispered.
"I was... but I'm sorry for making things harder. You must be disappointed in me." Bella's tears spilled, and Vera quickly pulled her into a hug.
"No, my love. It's okay to make mistakes. I'm just glad you're alive. And I'll do everything I can to help you regain your memory. Just tell me when you're ready."
"I'm ready, Mum. I'm free tomorrow. Can we go see the doctor?"
"Of course. I'll call Tatiana."
Bella blinked. "Aunt Ana was my doctor?"
"Yes. She was the only one I trusted to save my daughter's life. It was a miracle you came out of that car without a scratch. The driver didn't make it."
Bella's eyes widened. "What?"
"Yes. You were lucky, Ella. The car was completely wrecked. I thought I had lost you."
Vera stood and pulled up a video file on her laptop. "There was CCTV at the scene."
Bella's heart stopped as she saw herself lying motionless in the wreckage. She had been sitting in the back, which spared her the worst of the impact. The driver hadn't survived.
"And the truck driver?" she asked, voice trembling.
"He's in prison. It wasn't an accident, Bella. It was murder."
"Murder?"
Vera nodded gravely. "The taxi driver your driver was having an affair with the trucker's wife. They had been best friends for years, but the trucker discovered none of his three children were his. DNA confirmed it. In a rage, he confronted his wife, killed her, and went after your driver. He rammed the car deliberately. He said later he didn't even know there was a passenger."
Bella's jaw dropped. "That's... insane. Mum, those poor kids. They might even be separated when they're adopted."
Vera nodded sadly. "Yes. They're the true victims. But I thank God every day you survived."
Bella wiped her eyes. "Me too, Mum. Let's call Aunt Ana tomorrow. I want to face this."
Vera kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, my love."
"Goodnight, Mum." Bella left, her heart heavy but determined. Tomorrow could be the first step toward healing.
The doctor's appointment went smoothly. Aunt Tatiana reassured Bella that recovery would take time and patience, but with the right treatment and steady support she could begin to piece her memory back together. Bella left the hospital feeling lighter than she had in days.
Back home, she focused on packing for the three-day mini vacation with her family. She had already booked Westbengal Resort through Mr Anderson and arranged enough rooms for everyone. Now all that was left was to choose her outfits something she always struggled with.
"Bianca usually rescues me when I get stuck," Bella muttered, shaking her head as she sifted through her wardrobe. Finally, she settled on a white crop top, light blue jeans, her favourite carton-coloured jacket, white Balenciaga sneakers, and the Fendi bag Bianca had gifted her for her last birthday.
As she folded the clothes neatly, something tumbled from the top shelf. A Tiffany & Co. paper bag landed at her feet.
Bella froze. It was the mysterious graduation gift she'd never been able to trace. She opened the iconic blue box tied with its white satin ribbon, revealing the necklace. The pendant still sparkled as brilliantly as the day she first saw it.
Her breath caught.
"It's a butterfly," she whispered.
And suddenly, the pieces clicked.
"Chris is the only one who calls me that," she muttered. "It must have been him."
Before she could talk herself out of it, Bella dialled his number.
Chris was buried in paperwork when his phone lit up with her name. He answered immediately.
"Hey, Butterfly," he said, his voice warm.
"You bought me that necklace at my graduation, didn't you?" Bella asked directly.
Chris leaned back in his chair, a smile tugging at his lips. "I'm glad you finally figured it out."
Bella could practically picture the smile in her mind. Relief washed over her, but so did a flicker of panic.
"Then thank God I found the owner, because I've been wanting to return it," she said quickly.
"What do you mean, return it?" Chris shot to his feet, startled.
"Chris, I can't keep it. It's ridiculously expensive. I looked it up ten thousand dollars? I can't accept that."
"I won't take it back," Chris said firmly. "It's a gift. And it came with earrings, which you haven't even received yet. I knew you'd react like this, that's why I kept it anonymous. And it's not expensive, Bella. If you asked me to, I'd buy you the world."
Bella laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach. "Chris, do you realise how crazy that sounds? As if you had a conversation with God and He told you the world was up for sale?"
Chris broke into laughter too, his deep chuckle echoing through the line. "I never knew you could joke like that, Butterfly."
"Don't you think it's time you stopped calling me that?" Bella asked softly.
"What? Butterfly?"
"Yes."
"But you asked me to, back then. And I love calling you that."
"Chris, that was seven years ago. I was a teenager then. I don't want that nickname anymore. Call me Bella, or Ella, or Christal. Anything but Butterfly."
Chris sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll stop, Bella."
"You still said it," she pouted.
"Sorry... Bella," he corrected with a laugh. "But I'll have to find you a new name."
"Please don't."
"I've got it," he teased. "Abella."
"That's not even a name."
"It makes sense. Darling, you either get Butterfly or Abella. Choose one."
Bella rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. "Fine, Abella. At least it's close to my name."
Chris chuckled. "Good. But honestly, I like saying Bella best."
Before she could stop herself, Bella whispered, "I like it too. I like the way you say my name."
She clapped her hand over her mouth, mortified.
Chris's grin widened. "Really?"
"No I didn't mean it," she said quickly, blushing hard.
"You did. And for the record, I love the way you say mine. It gives me butterflies."
Bella stayed quiet, unsure how to respond.
"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" Chris asked gently.
"Travelling with my family. We're going to Westbengal Resort for a mini vacation. Mum's boyfriend is proposing on Sunday."
Chris's smile softened. "That's special. You know, I have a yacht and a private beach. I could host you."
"Thanks, but I've already booked everything. I don't want to change the plans."
"Alright, no problem. Just let me know if I can help."
"There's one thing, actually. Are you free on Sunday?"
"Depends. Why?"
"I'd like you to come to the engagement party. It's a surprise for Mum, and we're only inviting close friends and family. Since you're no stranger, I thought you should be there."
"What time?"
"You don't have to come if you're busy"
"I never said no, Bella. I'll be there. All day if I have to."
Bella smiled. "Thank you."
Before she could say more, Elliot walked into Chris's office. "Sir, the conference room is ready. Your meeting starts in five minutes."
Chris waved him off. "Tell them to wait."
"You need to go," Bella said apologetically. "Sorry for calling in the middle of your day."
"Never apologise for calling me. I'll always make time for you." His voice softened. "Take care, love."
Bella froze. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She liked the way it sounded more than she wanted to admit.
"Bye, Chris," she managed.
"Bye, love," he repeated before hanging up.
Chris headed to his meeting with a smile that stunned everyone in the building. Employees whispered in shock many had worked for him for years and never once seen him smile. By the time he stepped into the conference room, however, the smile was gone. The cold, untouchable Christian Hampson had returned.