The late evening air outside the sleek city hotel was cool but heavy with anticipation. Inside, Bella sat in her room, meticulously reviewing her notes and legal files, trying to focus despite the storm of emotions swirling in her mind.
The knock at Bella's hotel room door was sudden, sharp, and unrelenting.
Before she could answer, the door swung open and there he was—Lewis De Salvo, standing tall and unapologetic in his perfectly tailored black suit. His dark eyes gleamed with that familiar mix of challenge and amusement.
Bella's jaw tightened. "What do you want, Mr. De Salvo?"
Without a word, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him with deliberate finality.
He moved closer, the air between them thick with tension. Then, bending low, he let his breath brush softly against her ear.
"Little one," he murmured—using the nickname that had haunted and irritated her since childhood—"marry me."
Bella's eyes snapped open, burning with disbelief and fury. She jerked away, voice sharp and cold.
"I'd rather marry a dog than marry you."
Lewis chuckled darkly, a slow, dangerous smile curling his lips. "That's the spirit."
Their voices rose, sharp and fierce, each word a volley in their long-standing war.
"You think you can intimidate me?" Bella spat. "I'm not your possession."
Lewis smirked, stepping closer, eyes never leaving hers. "You're exactly that—to me, to Leo, to everything I want."
Bella's fists clenched, the fire in her eyes matching his. "You're delusional."
"No ,Never ."
The verbal duel escalated, echoing down the corridor—sharp, chaotic, impossible to ignore.
Behind the thin walls, hotel guests froze mid-conversation, exchanging curious glances.
In the room next door, a young couple paused their evening plans, whispering excitedly.
"Sounds like a real-life soap opera."
Down the hall, a group of businessmen stopped their meeting, intrigued by the rising voices.
One muttered, "That's not your usual hotel noise…"
Back in Bella's room, the chaos reached a fever pitch.
"I don't need you!" Bella shouted.
Lewis's grin widened. "You want me more than you admit."
Bella slammed her hand on the table, papers fluttering to the floor. "Get out."
Lewis shrugged, amused. "Not until you say yes."
Suddenly a knock in the door as the hotel manager appeared, trying to restore order.
"Is everything alright in there sir ?" he asked, voice calm but firm.
Lewis flashed a charming smile. "Perfectly fine."
Bella shot him a glare, voice dripping venom. "Don't flatter yourself."
Lewis turned on his heel, heading toward the door, pausing to look back once more.
"We'll finish this later, little one."
Bella stood alone amid scattered papers and rising tension—her heart pounding not from fear, but from the storm that was Lewis De Salvo.
From the next room, a man's amused voice drifted through the thin walls.
"Well, that was something. Bet they're either madly in love or about to start a war."
Bella pressed her back against the cool wall, steadying her racing heart. The noise, the tension—it was all too familiar.
Typical Lewis. Always making everything a spectacle.
Her lips curled into a bitter smile. But this fight? It's far from over. Let him think he's winning. I'm only just getting started.
Miles away, the soft glow of Elden Hollow's nursery wrapped Lewis and Leo in a cocoon of quiet warmth.
Leo, small and round-faced with heavy eyelids, clutched a tiny, slightly wilted flower—a precious treasure he had picked himself. His sleepy baby voice was thick with affection as he babbled, "Fwowers for Mommy… cwute cwute…"
Lewis smiled, brushing a gentle kiss on Leo's tousled hair. "That's right, champ. Flowers for Mommy."
Leo yawned widely, his eyes fluttering shut but not before adding with a sleepy grin, "Beees… no sting… cwute…"
Lewis carefully spoon-fed him soft puree, whispering, "Here comes the airplane," watching Leo's eyes light up just before a tiny giggle escaped.
"Mo' mo', buddy!" Leo urged, clapping his pudgy hands.
Lewis chuckled softly, wiping the corner of Leo's mouth. "Slow down, champ. You're full."
Snuggled against Lewis's chest, Leo murmured softly, "Mommy… mine… wuv…"
Lewis's heart clenched with fierce tenderness. "Yes, buddy. We'll bring her soon. I promise."
Leo's heavy lids drooped further, his voice a drowsy whisper. "Soon… fam'ly…"
Lewis pressed a kiss to his forehead, watching him drift into sleep. Quietly, he whispered under his breath,
"Soon, little one… soon we'll be family."
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