Rekindling the Old Flame
689 Words
Luke yanked Bella from his embrace, his expression frosty, "Bella, what scheme is the Clarke family concocting now?"
Luke was no fool, not easily deceived by Bella's little tricks. The story about her husband cheating and her plotting revenge—it was all fabrications. Her true motives were surely different—after all, the Clarke family was known for their ambition and influence.
For a fleeting moment, Bella felt as though Luke had seen right through her. But then she remembered how she had concealed Amy's existence so well that not even her family knew of her child. It was even less likely for Luke to know.
Recollecting herself, Bella soon laughed, her arms encircling Luke's neck as she looked up at him with seductive, peach-blossom eyes. Her lips curled into an enticing smile, "Ah, Luke, you're still so sharp, nothing gets past you."
As if caught red-handed and thus compelled to confess, she admitted, "Alright, I admit, the story about my husband's affair was false. I was just looking for a reason to get back together with you."
But Luke was not so easily beguiled. His gaze was heavy, as if piercing through her charade, "Is that all?"
His face turned ice-cold, "Bella, do you really think I'd believe you?"
Bella's eyes, misty with emotion, clung to Luke, a touch of nostalgia in their depths, "Luke, why can't it just be that I can't forget you, and I want to rekindle our past connection?"
Luke believed that perhaps Bella did indeed want to reconnect with him, drawn by his current worth, which was enough to keep a vain woman like her interested. But the idea that she couldn't forget him was laughable. How could a woman who blocked him on WeChat the moment his father was incarcerated, who avoided him at all costs and then swiftly married another man within a month, truly love him?
The Bella of the past had only cared for the fact that his Harper heritage held its own against the Clarke's—that was what she cherished.
Pulling her hand from around his neck, Luke spoke icily, "Do you want to rekindle a romance with me, or with the current President of Harper Corporation?"
Before Bella could respond, Luke continued grimly, "Bella, you are quite the schemer. When my family was down, you kicked me to the curb. Now that the Harpers are back on their feet, you shamelessly cling to me again."
He suddenly leaned in close, his dark, deep-set eyes filled with bone-chilling loathing, "Do you realize how repulsive you are?"
"Repulsive enough that even one more glance at you makes me want to vomit."
"Abandon whatever little schemes you have in mind; I, Luke, do not revisit the past."
He enunciated each word, each as sharp as a knife, stabbing directly into Bella's heart.
Bella's form swayed, her fists clenched tightly. Her exquisite manicure dug into the flesh of her palms, yet her face betrayed no pain.
Her almost pallid face held a defiant edge, "So what?"
Bella said, "You know what I'm like. If there's something I want, I make sure I get it."
Looking up at Luke, her eyes were filled with determination, "Either you agree to reconcile with me for a month, letting me have my way, or I'll tell Sophia that we got back together after returning to the country, making her suffer for life!"
"Bella, you're courting death!" Luke pinned her against the wall.
Pinned down, Bella's breath caught, her exquisite and alluring face turned pale.
Looking at Luke—handsome but with a harsh and ruthless expression—Bella spoke with a collected tone, "You know I'm not one to make idle threats."
"Luke, don’t push me."
Through gritted teeth, Luke asked scornfully, "Are you that desperate for a man?"
Bella's lips curved into a smile tinged with a hint of wicked charm, "How could I be desperate for men?"
Ignoring the hand around her neck, Bella reached out and grabbed Luke's shirtfront.
With a slight tug, she pulled him closer.
Bella's eyes smoldered as she breathed softly, "What I'm desperate for is you."
- Writer
