Bella needed to buy some books and stationery, but she had no money at all. She thought about asking Ruby for help, as she couldn't ask Daniel. Ruby was her close friend, and borrowing money from her was no big deal. But Bella's life had changed so much that even simple things now felt complicated.
As Bella reached downstairs, Daniel put down the newspaper on the table and gestured towards Jacob. Jacob, understanding Daniel's signal, handed Bella a bank card.
Bella looked at it, confused, and asked, "What is this for? What am I supposed to do with it?"
Daniel stood up and said, "If you need money, you can use this."
Without thinking much, Bella returned the card, saying, "I don't need this. I'll manage."
Seeing Bella refuse, Daniel didn't like it. Angrily, he said in a loud voice, "If you don't want it, then throw it in the trash!" He walked towards the dining table, clearly irritated.
Phillip wasn't surprised by Daniel's behavior, but Bella was shocked. She asked Phillip quietly, "Why is your boss so rude and strange?"
Phillip was taken aback; no one had ever spoken about Daniel like that before. While Phillip remained silent, Bella pouted and followed Daniel to the dining table for breakfast.
When Bella sat down, Daniel had already started eating. He didn't even glance at her. Bella was surprised to see what was on the table — just soup and salad. She found it tasteless and unappetizing. Her hunger disappeared instantly. She played with her spoon for a while, but Daniel didn't notice. He finished his breakfast and left.
Bella thought to herself, "Does this weird guy eat like this every day?" She hadn't eaten anything since morning. Just then, Jacob came in and said, "Sir, Mr. Jackson is here."
Daniel reacted quickly and headed towards the hall. Bella, curious about Daniel's sudden change in demeanor, left her food and followed him. She wasn't interested in eating anyway.
Jackson was sitting stylishly on the couch, arms spread out, legs crossed. He looked powerful and commanding.
From a distance, Bella thought maybe Daniel was afraid of this powerful man, which is why he came so quickly.
As Daniel walked up to Jackson, Bella stayed behind, waiting to see what would happen.
But Daniel stood there arrogantly, hands in his pockets, not showing the slightest hint of fear. This surprised Bella.
When Daniel arrived, Jackson stood up and immediately hugged him. Daniel returned the gesture.
Seeing the two of them, Bella thought, "They're so alike in nature and aura." Jackson was handsome, though older than Daniel. Bella thought that Daniel must have learned everything from him.
Jackson stepped back and asked, "Did you get that task I mentioned yesterday done?"
Without saying a word, Daniel turned and gestured towards Bella. Jackson's gaze followed, landing on her. Bella felt nervous and uneasy under his scrutiny.
Daniel broke the silence, saying, "Uncle, meet Bella, my wife."
Jackson smiled and walked up to Bella, extending his hand. "Hello, Bella, I'm Daniel's uncle. After his parents passed away, I've been the one looking after him." Daniel's face reflected a brief moment of sadness at the mention of his parents, but he quickly regained his composure, taking a deep breath. Bella noticed it.
She shook Jackson's hand and greeted him. Jackson then invited both of them for dinner that evening. Bella didn't know that it was under Jackson's influence that Daniel had married her, but she understood how much Daniel respected his uncle.
Daniel agreed to attend the dinner, and Bella didn't object. After that, Jackson left, followed by his bodyguards. Bella watched them go from inside the house.
Surprised, Bella asked Daniel, "Why does your uncle need so much security? Is he in danger?"
Daniel shot her a piercing look, as if to say, "That's none of your business."
Bella quickly got nervous and changed the subject, "I need to go to college. I shouldn't be late on the first day."
Saying this, Bella hurried away. She grabbed her bag and stepped out of the house. Jacob pointed to the car and said, "Ma'am, please get in. The driver will drop you off at college daily."
Without thinking much, Bella agreed and got into the car. Daniel also left for his office.
On the way, Bella got a call from Ruby. Ruby asked, "Bella, you said you were coming to college today, but I haven't seen you yet. You are coming, right?"
Bella replied, "Yes, Ruby, I'm on the way."
Hearing this, Ruby felt relieved. She was still in shock over how Bella had been taken by those men in black yesterday, and then Bella had called to say her admission was confirmed. Ruby was eager to know the whole story.
In a few minutes, Bella arrived. After exchanging a quick "hi," they left the rest of the conversation for later and went to class.
As Bella entered, all eyes were on her. The boys couldn't stop staring, and the girls, full of jealousy, kept glancing her way. Bella was naturally beautiful, after all. But the girl who seemed most bothered was Richa.
Richa was irritated to see Bella in class. She had hoped Bella would be stopped from studying after yesterday, but it seemed Bella's troubles had only given her more freedom.
Richa consoled herself by thinking, "Let's see how long this lasts. Even if someone rich is helping Bella, he'll eventually get tired of her and leave her. Then she'll have no one."
Meanwhile, Henry walked into the class. Bella gave him a big smile, but he ignored her. He was still upset with her. Bella didn't understand why Henry was acting this way.
Henry sat with Freddie. Bella focused on her studies, and during the break, she and Ruby went to the canteen.
They sat down comfortably, and Ruby immediately asked, "Now, tell me everything! I've been waiting all day! I couldn't even sleep last night, thinking about what's going on in your life."
Bella, wanting to get things off her chest, told Ruby everything from the beginning until now.
By the end of Bella's story, Ruby's jaw had dropped. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Ruby stared at Bella in shock. Bella waved her hand in front of Ruby and asked, "Are you okay?"
Ruby finally spoke, "Do you realize what you're saying? You're telling me that you married Daniel Smith, the young, richest, most handsome, and powerful Daniel Smith? That means you're his wife? Do you even know how much money he has? He could buy properties like your uncle's without even blinking. No one can compare to him."
Ruby continued praising Daniel, unable to stop. She had grown up in a wealthy family and was used to luxury. No boy had ever easily impressed her, but the mention of Daniel Smith made her react differently. Bella was shocked to see Ruby acting like this.
Bella, irritated, said, "Hey, are you my friend or his? You've been praising him non-stop! Did you forget what he did to me?"
Ruby replied, "I don't know about all that, but if I were in your place, I'd always treat him with love and do whatever he says."
Bella was speechless. She felt like Ruby had betrayed her.
Pouting, Bella said, "You've betrayed me! This isn't fair!"
Ruby laughed, "We're talking about Daniel Smith here, not just anyone. But how can you be sure he's really Daniel Smith? No one except a few high-profile business people and political leaders have ever seen him."
Bella replied, "He told me himself, and it was written on our marriage certificate. Besides, his attitude makes it obvious he's not an ordinary guy."
Ruby nodded in agreement. Bella then said eagerly, "Let's leave this talk. I'm starving! I haven't eaten anything since morning. Let's order some food."
They ordered food, but when it arrived, Bella suddenly stood up, her face filled with sadness.
Ruby, surprised, asked, "What's wrong? You were just saying you're hungry. Why are you standing? Sit down."
Bella suddenly stands up, and Ruby, surprised, asks her, "Why are you behaving like this?"
Bella, feeling sad, says in a low, gloomy voice, "Oh, why are these so unpredictable?"
Ruby, somewhat understanding Bella's situation, asks, "Did your periods start?"
Bella nods her head and says, "Yes, maybe, and I didn't even bring a pad with me."
Ruby reassures her, "Don't worry, I have one. I'll give it to you."
Bella takes the pad from Ruby and heads to the washroom. She was also feeling a slight pain in her stomach. Her periods were truly painful.
Her suspicion was right; her periods had indeed started. After coming out, she stood in front of the mirror, cleaning her hands under the tap. Just then, she noticed someone approaching from behind.
When Bella looked in the mirror, she saw Richa standing behind her. Her thought was right,She saw Richa standing behind her. Richa had her arms crossed and was staring at Bella.Richa had her arms crossed and was staring at Bella.