Shattered Hearts, Rekindled Vows

Chapter 3

Bella’s POV

I couldn’t believe what he just said, asking me for an explanation. He started explaining slowly while I stared at him in shock. Truly, I wasn’t in my right mind that day and that was mainly because I couldn’t believe Maya could do that and more so, I wasn’t able to carefully examine all the people there, so I believed everything he told me when he said he was the one who saved me.

I frowned after he finished explaining everything to me. Now I felt more betrayed, I was totally fooled into believing he was the one who saved me.

“I overheard your sister talking to one of the bullies about you being the eldest daughter of the Hardin family. For a while, I was covered up with greed.”

“I just wanted to use you, but I didn’t expect you to fall in love with me. All my thought was if we got married then your properties will naturally be mine.”

“I can swear I fell in love with you but didn’t want to believe it, I was just…” I slapped him across his right cheek, interrupting him of that very word he wanted to say. I can’t believe someone would have such shameful and disgusting thoughts and still act it out.

“Who saved me?” I asked him.

Not to listen to whatever he had to say again. He took out a matching chain. It had a familiar lock which I'd seen the key before, but I had no idea where.

“He was rushing and decided to leave you with me, he also asked me to give you this.”

This was the matching chain that I always saw on Maya’s crushed neck, but I’m sure I’ve seen it elsewhere apart from his.

I was about to ask another question when the announcement for takeoff was made. I had no other option but to leave him, but even as I left, I knew that there were so many questions that needed answers.

“Who could it be?”

«FIVE YEARS LATER»

“Dina.” I called, running after her as I grabbed her, gently poking her nose.

“Don’t scare mummy like that again, OK?” She nodded her head and smiled before I dropped her back.

“This is an airport, you aren’t supposed to be running around, or you’ll injure yourself. Now be a good girl and walk gently without running.”

She pouted, bashing her long lashes cutely. She looked so much like Lucian from her eyeballs to her face and her lips, everything was just like him.

She was his carbon copy and anyone seeing her would easily guess she was his daughter. That’s if they knew I was her mother.

“Okay mom.” she said, her voice tiny. I sighed.

I didn’t expect raising her without him would be so hectic. Yes, hectic because I couldn’t give her the warm love she wanted and deserved even though I knew she needed it.

Liana had to come back a week before me because of the announcement banquet that would take place that night. Everything that happened over the years was a mystery.

I didn’t know how to explain it all but I felt like there was more to Lucian and Vivian’s relationship. Then she wasn’t married to him, even though she gave birth, he and the son weren't close enough. He couldn’t even see them together, and he didn’t want to answer any questions related to both her or her son, but I knew that was all a cover-up for their romance and didn’t want anyone criticizing her for destroying our marriage.

It’s funny how much he loves her, and he’s willing to protect her. I glanced over to the entrance and saw a familiar figure coming in. Just behind him were Liana and Ned.

“Finally.” I walked over to them with Dina running to meet up with them quickly.

I sighed and tried to catch up with her, just then I bumped into another person again.

“It seems as though I have the ability to keep bumping into people because what?” I chuckled a bit and looked up to apologize, but seeing the figure, I frowned and hissed unconsciously.

“I’m sorry Mr Andre.” I said and tried walking away, but he pulled me back, hugging me immediately, my body monetarily frozen.

I wouldn’t lie that I had missed his touch a lot, but I couldn’t deny the fact that he chose someone else over me. Remembering that, I pulled away from the hug and immediately slapped him across his face.

“Please mind the way you touch me, or you wouldn’t like me retaliating back at you. I would like you to respect yourself as the family man that you are,” I said.

Though deep down, I knew I was thinking differently. Ohh, how much I wished our lives had come off in a different turn, then maybe how happy we could have been.

“Ella, I’ve really been searching for you these 5 years. I’m really sorry for the way I reacted back then. I can explain to you. I’ll tell you everything…”

“Lucian please.” I shouted angrily. That was just it. Explain everything? Or tell me lies in response for his misdeeds.

“I don’t want to hear anything, I just want to be free please, okay?” I said, but my eyes caught sight of the cabin on his neck, it was the key to the chain lock that was with me.

Just as I was about to view it well, Vivian came out pushing me away from him as she glared at me.

“Don’t tell me you are here to beg him again.” I scoffed in annoyance because of her words.

“Excuse me.” I said and walked away, not listening to whatever they both had to say again.

«FEW DAYS LATER»

«BANQUET: ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF KING’S COMPANY.»

The door opened as I walked in gracefully, my long shiny gown sparkling as it complimented my skin.

The spotlight was on me as I walked in. I dropped Dina with mom and dad so she wouldn’t be running around carelessly.

Maya came to meet me to accompany me to my seat. I wouldn’t lie, she felt as though she had changed a lot. From her personality to the way she behaves now.

She had been apologizing all this while after dad told her about it and I think from the report given, she had really changed a lot and the company she was supervising had now developed a lot.

The banquet was huge because everyone was curious to see me.

It’s been years and I didn’t show up even when I was needed. That was because dad was trying to protect me. He thought someone had tried killing me 14 years ago but had no idea I had saved someone instead.

He wouldn’t listen to my explanation, so I gave up explaining. I saw Lucian at one side while Vivian was in front of him.

She was trying to get his attention, but he wasn’t giving her any. Okay, that’s weird. I think he shouted at her because she left in front, dejectedly walking back to her father.

Maybe they really were not in a good relationship. Could it be there was really more than I thought?

Lucian saw me, I could see the hurt in his eyes, even though he tried pain up the pain in my pain, but I could tell he was controlling himself.

That must have been because of the incident at the airport. Vivian traced his eyes and saw him. Seeing he had looked away already, she walked over to me. Here comes the b***h again.

“Hey, so what are you doing here?” she smiled.

Does she think I wouldn’t see past her fake smile?

“Green tea bitch.” I muttered in response and smiled. She widened her eyes in shock as I walked past her without giving her face.

“Hey, how dare you walk out on me. Is it because of your dress, you just hooked up with one of the old wealthy…”

I interrupted her with a loud slap on her right cheek. I'd heard enough of the disrespect.

“I thought you knew better.” I whispered into her ear, that should give her a clue. Everyone was staring at us.

Lucian was surprised too, but I glared at him, looking away. He should have realized by now that I’m no longer the lady he left 6 years ago.

“For the most important reason we are here today, the announcement of the new president and vice president of the KING’s group company.”

Everyone cheered. Due to the announcement, everyone's attention was focused on dad now.

“Everyone, please welcome the new vice president of the King’s group, the second daughter of the Hardin’s family, Maya Hardin.”

I let out a smile as she walked towards the stage in shock. She probably wasn’t expecting it. I talked to Aliyah, and she said she wasn’t interested in the company, she just wanted to pursue her dream of being a doctor, so we let it go.

Maya was the new vice president and dad promised to appoint someone else as the new CEO of King’s group, and we kept it a secret so she would be surprised once she was appointed.

She looked at me after getting onto the stage and I smiled, giving her a positive look.

“Everyone, please welcome the new president of KING’s group, the eldest daughter of the Hardin’s family, Bella Hardin, mostly known as Bella Andre.”

The spotlight set on me as I walked to the stage. I could see the shock on Lucian and Vivian’s faces as I stood on the stage with everyone looking at me.

Yes, I didn’t let him know I was the eldest daughter of the Hardin’s family. Now, the games could truly begin.