His Ignored Wife, Her Silent Goodbye

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 005

MARGARET'S POINT OF VIEW

The first hints of sunlight filtered through the curtains when my phone began ringing. Though I reached to answer my phone with a groggy sense of urgency, the call finished before I could speak.

I blinked at the screen. Bella.

Concern crept into my chest. She hadn't called me in days. I paused momentarily and then dialed her number but received no answer.

Frowning, I sat up. What could have caused her to call to disconnect again?

Worried, I dialed the villa's landline. The phone rang twice until Sarah answered with her usual calm voice.

"Good morning, Madam. Is something the matter?"

I missed Bella's call, and when I tried to reach her back, she didn't answer. Is she alright?"

"Oh, the Young Miss is fine. Sarah reported that Bella got up late today and looked sleepy when she visited her earlier. Perhaps she called you by accident. I'll go and ask her."

I sighed in relief. "Thank you, Sarah. Let me know if she needs anything."

When the call finished, I put the phone down, but a persistent, unsettling feeling remained because something felt wrong.

I settled back into the pillows while I gazed upward at the ceiling. The early hours of the morning still held Manchester in their grasp as I struggled to make up for the lack of sleep the previous night. I shut my eyes to try to get some sleep.

But sleep wouldn't come.

—

While Sarah came to check on her in Kingston, Bella was in the middle of washing up.

"Miss, your mother just called. She became anxious after you failed to answer the call. Should I let her know you're alright?"

Bella took a deep breath while holding the toothbrush in her mouth. "I called by accident. She doesn't need to know anything."

Sarah nodded. "Alright then."

Once Sarah departed, Bella gazed at her reflection in the mirror. After several days, she finally allowed herself to think about her mother. Her happiness had been so overwhelming that she hadn't noticed her mother stopped calling.

But now, she hesitated.

Did Mum really stop calling? Just like that?

—

In Frederick's office, his phone buzzed. He grabbed the phone idly before replying with "Yes?"

"Dad!" Bella's urgent voice was transmitted by the receiver. "Did you know? Aunt Judy is leaving!"

Frederick moved a page of the document he was looking at. "Yes."

"When did you find out?!"

"A while ago."

She gasped, clearly distressed. "And you didn't tell me?!"

He sighed. "It's being handled."

Bella paused. "What do you mean?"

"We're going home next week."

There was silence. Then—

"Really?!"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't Aunt Judy say anything?!"

"Because she doesn't know yet."

Excitement exploded in Bella's voice. "Dad, don't tell her yet! Let's surprise her when we get home!"

"Alright."

"You're the best, Dad! I love you so much!"

Bella bounced excitedly on her bed after she finished the phone call. She couldn't wait to go home!

Then, she paused.

Her gaze flickered to her phone.

She had been avoiding Mum. She left school early and turned off her phone afterward to avoid their standard calls.

And Mum… she hadn't called.

She believed Mum had discovered her secret and was upset about it. But… that wasn't like her. Mum guided her toward correcting her mistakes instead of punishing her with silent treatment.

A strange feeling settled in her stomach.

She missed Mum—just a little.

Her hand paused above the call button until she finally pressed it.

The phone rang.

Before Mum could answer the phone call, her daughter Bella panicked and hung up.

—

I stared at my phone in confusion.

The call lasted only a second.

After hanging up, I tried to call back, but the phone kept ringing with no response. No answer.

My heart pounded. Was something wrong?

I redialed the villa's landline. Sarah picked up within seconds. "Sarah, can you check on Bella again? She contacted me previously, but her phone is now unanswered.

Sarah sounded surprised. "Of course, Madam. I'll go at once."

I tapped my fingers against the blanket as I waited with anxiety.

Minutes later, Sarah returned to the line. "Young Miss said she called by accident. She seems fine."

I exhaled. "Alright. Thank you."

I placed my phone down, but my heart still felt unsettled.

Did she call me by accident?

What had caused the sensation of everything shifting around me?

—

Days passed.

I stayed occupied by immersing myself entirely in work tasks. If Bella expressed her need for distance, I would respect it.

At least, that's what I told myself.

On his desk in Kingston, Frederick discovered the envelope that I had delivered to him several days earlier. After he took the object between his fingers, he rotated it multiple times. Since receiving Julie's call that night, he has not spent much time thinking about it.

He quickly tossed it down with his wrist.

More pressing matters demanded his attention.

The evening marked the completion of the ultimate plans for their homebound journey. After packing his briefcase and rechecking the documents, Frederick asked for Bella.

"Ready? Let's go."

The Rolls-Royce exited the driveway and began its journey toward the airport.

—

Was I ready to see them again?

Was Bella?

Frederick opened the envelope at last, and the question remained about what words he would utter.

Did it even matter?