A heavy silence descended upon the room. Willow stared at Bella, astonishment etched on her face. She had been merely teasing, but Bella had taken her offer with startling seriousness.
"What about Theodore?" Willow managed to stammer, still in shock.
Bella was unsure how her husband would react, but she wasn't about to let Willow feel upset. "Don't worry," she assured, plastering on a smile. "I'll make it up to him."
The smile was gentle but determined, carrying a promise that she would find a way to smooth things over with Theodore later.
Willow's heart swelled with gratitude and warmth. It felt as though she had discovered a sister in Bella, someone who would always stand by her, no matter the circumstances.
Overcome with emotion, Willow rose from her chair and crossed the room to where Bella stood. She wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a tight, heartfelt embrace. "Thank you, Bella," she whispered. "It means the world to me."
