Chapter 10
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The parlor fell silent after Bella’s scream.
The tension was suffocating.
It was Stacy who finally broke the silence, scoffing in frustration.
"How long exactly do you expect her to wait? Until Lilian gets pregnant with your child? Or until you fall in love with your best friend and leave Bella behind?"
Each word struck Bella harder than she expected.
She clenched her fists tightly, forcing herself to remain calm as panic slowly crawled up her chest.
No.
I can't let that happen.
She needed a solution.
She needed one now.
"I won't let that happen," Oliver assured her, gently taking her hand.
He had noticed the fear in her eyes and wanted to comfort her.
But Stacy immediately scoffed.
"No, you will."
Her voice was sharp.
"You already slept with her. The only thing left is for her to get pregnant."
She crossed her arms.
"I heard virgins have a higher chance of getting pregnant the first time. Or are you going to tell me you didn't sleep with her?"
"I..."
Oliver froze.
"I... I..."
The words refused to come out.
He had confidently told Lilian that nothing happened between them, but the truth was...
He didn't know.
That night was still a blur in his mind. Every time he tried to remember, everything became foggy.
The silence stretched.
And with every passing second, Bella's face grew paler.
Her mind was racing.
She couldn't lose this.
Not Oliver.
Not her golden ticket.
Not the future she had fought so hard to build.
Taking a deep breath, Bella lifted her head.
"I have an idea."
Both Oliver and Stacy turned toward her.
"We can wait a month and see if she is actually pregnant..."
"BELLA!"
Stacy's voice exploded with disbelief.
Bella raised her hand.
"I'm not finished."
Stacy immediately fell silent.
"If she is pregnant, then I'll let you go."
Bella's voice was calm.
"But if she isn't..."
She looked directly at Oliver.
"To prove that you truly love me, I want her to undergo IVF."
Oliver frowned.
His mind struggled to process her words.
"What do you mean, Bella?"
His confusion was obvious.
Bella took a deep breath.
"I mean..."
Her eyes hardened.
"I want her to be the surrogate mother for our child."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Stacy's eyes widened.
She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Bella is actually saying this in front of him?
She had always known Bella could be ruthless, but she never expected her to reveal this side of herself.
Don't men hate women who are too cruel?
She thought Bella would at least hide this part of herself.
But Oliver...
Oliver looked completely stunned.
Even he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Even if I agree, I doubt Lilian would—"
"I can handle that."
Bella interrupted him.
"All I need is your permission. She doesn't need to know."
Oliver's expression changed.
"I..."
His voice became uncertain.
"She..."
He swallowed.
"Isn't that wrong?"
For the first time, hesitation appeared on his face.
"She's still my best friend. She's always been there for me. She's always protected me."
His voice lowered.
"I just can't imagine betraying her like this."
Bella smiled.
A gentle smile.
A harmless smile.
But there was something cold hidden behind it.
She knew this wouldn't be easy.
But she knew Oliver.
She knew exactly where his weakness was.
Taking his hands into hers, she looked into his eyes.
"You see her as your best friend..."
She paused.
"But does she see you the same way?"
The question lingered.
Heavy.
Poisonous.
Stacy watched the scene unfold and felt strangely uncomfortable.
She couldn't even tell who she was supposed to support anymore.
What am I even doing here?
She thought.
Am I watching a drama or am I part of one?
"I'm not telling you to do it immediately," Bella continued softly.
"Honestly, I always suspected she had feelings for you."
Her eyes lowered.
"But I never imagined they were this deep."
She looked back at him.
"Deep enough that she would ignore the consequences of her actions."
A tear gathered in her eyes.
Perfect timing.
Perfect expression.
Perfect performance.
God, she's good.
Bella and Lilian actually shared many similarities.
They both had long hair that carried a naturally captivating darkness, and both had striking eyes that easily drew attention.
But their presence was different.
Lilian carried herself with confidence.
Bella carried herself like someone fragile.
Someone who needed protection.
Her delicate features, tear-stained face, and vulnerable expression made Oliver's heart ache.
Yet her choice of clothing told another story.
She knew exactly how to use her appearance.
She knew exactly how to make him feel like he was the only person who could save her.
"But..."
Her voice softened.
"If she isn't pregnant, then maybe it's a sign."
She squeezed his hands.
"Maybe even fate is on our side."
Her eyes became gentle.
"I would personally ask her to become a surrogate. But only if she agrees."
She looked at him innocently.
"I won't force her."
A perfect lie.
"Your mother would never accept me carrying your child."
Her voice became sad.
"But if Lilian carries it, your mother would never know."
She smiled faintly.
"It's a win-win situation."
Oliver's thoughts became chaotic.
Could he really do this?
Was this right?
Was he really willing to betray Lilian like this?
"Just think about it," Bella whispered.
"If you still don't agree, forget I ever mentioned it."
She pulled away slightly.
"I won't force you."
But Bella already knew.
She didn't need to force him.
She had planted the seed.
And that was enough.
"Okay..."
Oliver finally whispered.
"I'll come back with an answer, Bel."
He needed time.
He still saw Lilian as his best friend.
But she betrayed him.
Didn't she?
So why did he still feel guilty?
As he walked toward the door, Bella stopped him.
Before he could react, she ran forward and kissed him.
"I love you, Oli..."
Her voice was filled with emotion.
"No matter what happens."
Her eyes looked full of love.
Full of longing.
And Oliver believed her.
He watched as she reluctantly let him go and entered a taxi.
Stupid.
He cursed himself.
How can I keep hurting Bella by being so indecisive?
He would wait one month.
If Lilian wasn't pregnant...
Then he would make a decision.
He didn't care about the consequences anymore.
As long as Bella was happy.
The taxi disappeared into the distance.
Bella stood on the porch, watching.
The softness in her eyes vanished.
The longing disappeared.
The love faded.
What remained was cold calculation.
"This..."
She whispered.
"This is the real me."
Or at least...
That was what she believed.
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