Bella's POV
My apartment door slammed behind me with a satisfying thud as I escaped the suffocating atmosphere of VALERIUS'Empire headquarters. The confrontation with that infuriating man had drained every ounce of my patience, leaving me hollow and trembling with residual anger. I collapsed onto my worn sofa, limbs sprawling in defeat, tilting my head back until the white ceiling came into view. Each breath felt labored, as if the very air carried the weight of my frustration.
When the realization hit that his interest lay purely in the restaurant rather than some twisted desire to be near Toby, a wave of relief had washed over me. At least that fear could be dismissed. Yet here I was, grappling with an equally troubling question - could I really allow him to manipulate my business from the shadows? The thought of him anywhere near my life, near my son, sent ice through my veins.
