Romero was quiet that night. The guards were at their posts, the children asleep in their rooms, and for the first time in months, the house didn't feel like a fortress. It felt like home.
Bella walked barefoot down the hallway, the silk of her nightgown brushing her legs. She paused at Chris's office door it was ajar, light spilling out.
He was there, jacket off, shirt undone at the collar, sleeves rolled up. His head was bent over papers, but his eyes flicked up the moment he sensed her.
"You should be resting," Chris said softly, leaning back in his chair.
"So should you," Bella replied, stepping inside. Her voice was quiet, but steady. "But maybe we're both too used to fighting battles in the dark."
Chris studied her for a long moment, then pushed the papers aside. "The battles are over, Bella. At least the ones that matter. You don't have to carry them anymore."
She came closer, her heartbeat quickening. "And you? Do you ever stop carrying them?"
His eyes darkened. "Only when you're near me."
Her breath caught. For months they had circled each other, weighed down by fear, by loss, by everything they hadn't said. But tonight was different. Tonight, there were no more walls.
Bella moved closer, until she was standing between his knees. He reached up slowly, fingers brushing her cheek, tracing her jaw. "I thought I lost you," he whispered, his voice raw. "Twice. I don't know if I could survive a third."
"You won't have to," she murmured, covering his hand with hers. "Because I'm here. And I'm not running anymore."
Chris rose from his chair, towering over her, his presence magnetic. His lips brushed her forehead first, then her temple, then finally her mouth a slow kiss, gentle at first, but burning with everything they had held back.
Bella melted into him, her hands clutching his shirt, the silk of her gown whispering against his skin. The kiss deepened, turned hungry, desperate, a clash of love and longing that had waited too long.
"Chris," she breathed against his lips, trembling.
He lifted her effortlessly, carrying her out of the office and down the hall, his mouth never leaving hers. They stumbled into his bedroom, the door shutting behind them.
The world outside no longer mattered.
Clothes fell away. Skin met skin. Every scar, every wound, every fear between them was silenced by touch, by whispers, by the way he traced her body as though memorising her all over again.
"You're mine," Chris growled softly, his voice breaking as he kissed down her throat. "Always have been. Always will be."
Bella arched into him, gasping, her own voice trembling. "And you're mine. No more running, Chris. No more walls."
The night stretched long, filled with heat and softness, fire and tenderness, until neither of them could tell where one ended and the other began.
And when it was over, Bella lay curled against his chest, his heartbeat steady under her ear. Chris pressed a kiss to her hair, whispering words he hadn't dared say aloud until now.
"I love you, Bella. Not because you survived. Not because you're strong. But because you're you. My everything."
Her eyes closed, tears slipping free. "I love you too."
For the first time in years, they both believed it was possible not just to survive, but to live. Together.
The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains at Romero, soft golden light painting the room. Bella stirred, her head resting against Chris's bare chest. For a moment she lay still, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, steady and strong beneath her ear.
Chris's hand moved lazily through her hair. "You're awake," he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Bella tilted her chin up. "I should probably get up. Jessy will be awake soon."
"No," Chris whispered, pulling her closer. "Five more minutes. Just us."
She smiled faintly. He wasn't the untouchable tycoon now, not the ruthless Hampson people feared. He was simply a man holding the woman he loved, clinging as though morning might steal her away.
When they finally rose, Bella slipped into her robe and padded toward Jessy's room. Chris followed, his shirt only half buttoned. Jessy was already awake, gurgling happily in his crib.
Bella lifted him, pressing her nose against his soft cheek. "Good morning, love."
Chris reached out his arms. "Let me."
Slowly, she passed the baby into Chris's waiting hands.
Jessy blinked up at him with wide, curious eyes. Then, as if recognising something, he broke into a gummy smile.
Chris's breath caught. His arms tightened protectively, and for a moment he couldn't speak. "He... he looks at me like..."
"Like he knows you're his dada" Bella finished softly.
"Dada" Jessy said as soon as Bella stopped talking.
"Did he just say dada?" Chris asked with excitement
"Dada, dada, dada" Jessie kept blabbing in baby language
Chris and Bella's face lit up. "He really called you dada" Bella said smiling
Arabella padded in then, still in her pyjamas, hair tousled. She climbed onto the bed and sat beside Bella, watching her father with Jessy. "Daddy, he likes you."
Chris smiled, sitting down with Jessy in his lap, Arabella leaning against his side. Bella stood back, her heart swelling as she watched both her children in his arms, their laughter filling the room.
For once, it felt like family. Whole.
Later that afternoon, Bella returned to the Walter residence with Chris and the children. This time, there were no secrets.
The twins were sprawled on the couch when she entered. Raquel was curled up with a book. Vera came from the kitchen, her expression softening at the sight of Bella carrying Jessy and Arabella at her side.
Jayden sat up first. "Noona..." His eyes flicked to Chris, then back to Bella. "So it's true. You two... you're back together?"
Bella's cheeks warmed, but she nodded. "Yes. And I know I owe all of you honesty this time. No more running."
Kayden crossed his arms, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Took you long enough."
Raquel leapt up, hugging her sister. "I'm just glad you're happy again."
Vera's gaze moved to Chris, sharp and steady. "If you break her again..."
"I won't," Chris interrupted, his voice certain. "You have my word."
Before the tension could thicken, Bella's phone buzzed. A video call from Bianca.
She answered, and Bianca's face filled the screen. "Oh my God, Bella! I saw the news, I couldn't believe it. You're cleared! Finally!"
Bella laughed through her tears. "I told you I was innocent."
Bianca squealed, "And you have two babies!"
Chris raised an eyebrow, leaning into frame. "Both are mine actually."
Bianca gasped dramatically. "You're kidding Hampson himself on my screen? Okay, fine, Bella, you're officially forgiven for leaving me in the dark. But girl, you owe me brunch. A long one."
Bella laughed, wiping her eyes. "Deal."
A second later, Alexis popped into the call beside Bianca, flashing her engagement ring with a grin. "Surprise! Guess who's just got her marriage license that pilot I told you about?"
Bella's jaw dropped. "Alexis! Oh my God, finally!"
The girls screamed together, the sound so loud Chris winced while Arabella giggled.
The twins rolled their eyes fondly. "Women," Jayden muttered.
Bella ended the call with promises of visits soon. She looked around the room, her family surrounding her, Chris standing steady at her side, her children nearby.
For the first time in years, she didn't feel like she was surviving. She felt like she was living.
And when Chris's hand brushed hers, warm and sure, she knew this was only the beginning.