CHAPTER THREE- FRAGILE REALITY
1136 Words
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Chapter 3: Fragile Reality
Bella's eyes fluttered open to the familiar ceiling of her bedroom. Yet something felt wrong. The room looked the same — but the shadows thrown by the morning light twisted unnaturally, contorted in a way that unsettled her.
She tried to sit up. A wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her to lie back down. Her head pounded; her body felt unbearably heavy, like something invisible was pressing her down.
Lying still, she tried to gather her thoughts. Images flickered in her mind — her baby... Was he safe? Where was he? She thought about Edward — his strange behavior, his cold distance. And Samantha — those cold, calculating eyes haunted her.
Suddenly, a sharp memory pierced through the fog. A fragment. She had been holding her baby, cradling him in her arms. She had been smiling — overwhelmed with joy.
But as she reached for that memory, it slipped away again, swallowed by the murky depths of her mind. Frustrated and afraid, tears welled in her eyes.
With a defiant breath, she threw the covers aside and stood, though her legs wobbled beneath her. She stumbled to the bathroom, her reflection catching her off-guard.
Her face was pale and unfamiliar. Her eyes, sunken and tired. She didn’t look like herself — she looked like a stranger. Broken. Fragile. She blinked back the tears and turned away from the mirror.
She had to find her baby.
She had to know the truth.
Just then, as she stepped out of the bathroom, she was met by Edward's questioning stare.
"Are you okay now?" he asked.
She gave a wide, lazy smile. "I'm fine. I just want to shower and eat. I’m drained."
Edward gave her a suspicious glance, but she didn’t flinch. She returned the look, unwavering.
“I’ll ask the maid to come bathe you,” he said as he turned away.
“No.” Bella stepped forward slightly. “I want you to bathe me, Edward.” She pouted playfully, her voice coy.
Edward turned to her, expression contorting in disgust. “You know I don’t like it when you act like a fool. I’ll get the maid.”
Her smile faltered, pain creeping into her voice. “You haven’t changed.”
“Does it matter?” he said coldly, then walked away.
Left alone, Bella entered the bathroom, her steps slow and purposeful. She filled the tub with warm water, added scented oils, salts, and rose petals. She stripped out of her clothes, letting them fall unceremoniously, and lowered herself into the water.
It was soothing, but not enough to wash away the confusion in her mind. She closed her eyes and tried to think — to remember. The blood. The baby. Holding him.
Gone.
Everything felt gone. Even the memory of her pregnancy had vanished, as if wiped clean.
She opened her eyes abruptly, panic tightening her chest. Was she going crazy? But something inside her whispered, You're not mad. Don't believe them.
The contradiction was maddening. She let out a loud, frustrated scream.
A sudden whimper snapped her out of it.
She turned her head and saw the maid standing by the door, fear wide in her eyes.
Bella laughed bitterly at the absurdity of her life, then sank deeper into the tub and closed her eyes again.
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Downstairs, in the living room
“Are you sure Bella’s okay now?” Samantha asked, her smile a little too wide.
“I don’t know, Mom,” Edward replied. “She’s not talking about the baby anymore, so... I guess that’s something.”
“That’s wonderful. Life can finally go on. I wouldn’t want a crazy woman as my son’s wife.”
“Mum, she said she’s hungry. What can she eat?”
Samantha smiled thoughtfully. “Why don’t we give her some clam chowder? Something warm... comforting... yet not so easy to swallow.”
Lucy let out a sharp laugh, unable to hide her amusement.
“Lucy, tell the maid to prepare it,” Samantha added.
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Just as the table was being set, Bella appeared at the top of the stairs. She descended slowly, regal and composed — a transformation from earlier.
Her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail. She wore a flowing pink and white floral gown, delicate pearl earrings, and elegant white sandals that hugged her feet perfectly.
All eyes turned toward her.
Edward’s gaze lingered — a mix of awe and something deeper. Samantha’s smile twitched with annoyance. Lucy’s expression twisted with jealousy; even with plastic surgery and makeup, she could never match Bella’s effortless beauty.
Bella glided to the table and pulled out a chair.
“Don’t you think it’s rude to sit before the lady of the house?” she asked Lucy, voice sweet but tinged with venom.
Lucy stood, humiliated and seething, but said nothing.
“You’ll see,” she muttered under her breath. “I’ll take everything from you. Everything you have.”
Samantha cleared her throat. “Bella, don’t you think that was a bit harsh?”
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Bella replied with a smile. “But I’ve always warned Lucy to remember her place in my house. Please, don’t take it personally.”
With help from the nurse, Bella took her seat at the right hand of the head table. Samantha sat opposite, Edward at the head, and Lucy next to his mother.
The food was placed in front of Bella. She looked down and frowned. “What is this?”
Before the maid could answer, Samantha stepped in. “It’s good for you. It’ll help you recover faster.”
Bella looked to Edward — he avoided her gaze. Then to Lucy, who was barely hiding her cruel smirk. And finally back to Samantha, whose attempt at pity barely masked her delight.
Bella said nothing. She picked up her spoon and ate slowly.
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When the meal ended, she folded her napkin and placed it beside her plate.
“I want to resume work. And I need my phone back,” she said calmly.
Everyone froze.
Samantha’s tone shifted, smooth as silk. “Darling, are you sure? You’ve been through so much—”
“I said I want my phone.” Bella’s voice sharpened.
“Sweetheart,” Edward added, trying to sound gentle, “maybe wait a few more days—”
“No.”
She stood up, strong and graceful. “If you won’t give it to me, I’ll get it myself.”
They looked at one another, scrambling for a response. Then, with a forced show of compassion, Edward nodded.
“Give her the phone,” he said reluctantly.
Bella took it, her hands steady. She didn’t even look at them as she turned and walked away.
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