Bad Bets (Bad News Series Book 3) *Under Major Edit*

Chapter 20

Leaving the party early, Isabella was in desperate need for a break through everything. While she was confident Leo was safe and sleeping at home with her mum, she could take the night to relax and set her head straight.

Getting into her car she didn’t even realise where she had been heading until she got there.

The bar.

The bar that she had first met George at. The one where she had first laid eyes on him and first experienced the violent being he could be.

At the time she had thought he was a complete monster, yet she learned to realise it was all just an act.

Something he displayed to show the real him hiding before. The one who actually had feelings yet nobody ever got to see them.

Parking up, she climbed out before making her way inside.

Her eyes looked across the bar before they came into contact with two sets who turned to look back at her, causing her to freeze.

“Oh my God.” She whispered, feeling completely sick.

Sat with drinks in hand, in mid conversation were George and James Jenkins.

She should have been dreaming but unfortunately she wasn’t. This was all happening right now and it was her worst nightmare.

As George looked over at her, he looked nothing less than dumbstruck. Watching like he was feeling everything she was, yet added on guilt.

Biting her lip, she tried to prevent herself from crying, due to just looking at him made her realise he was different.

He looked ill and lifeless.

That glow in his face completely vanished.

Any passion or hope he had once contained no longer present.

What had happened to him?

Alongside that she could see even from a distance the number of cuts and bruises he had collected and also the build-up of even more tattoos.

She didn’t recognise the man sat across from the bar to her, just like that first time they had met.

Taking one look to James with a sickening clench in her stomach, she then turned and headed straight out. Not being able to stand in there any longer and watch it.

As she made it outside into the cold air, it hit her like knifes grazing against her face. The icy night and pitch black sky adding to the traumatic situation that she had just witnessed in front of her.

Leaning back against the wall, she slid down it until she was hunched over in a crouching position on the floor and began to cry.

“Isabella.” An intense voice was heard as George charged out the door.

“Don’t.” She spat out through her tears, not even being able to look at him.

Standing still he looked down at her and I mean really looked at her.

He was examining every feature like she had him.

The pair hadn’t seen each other in 7 months so seeing the physical changes in one another was obviously the first most obvious thing.

“You’re so beautiful.” He whispered to himself, yet it was loud enough for her to hear.

She had cut her hair since he last saw her. Her long locks now being styled much shorter.

She also held the after pregnancy glow across her face, yet right now in front of him she looked hurt.

“Let me explain.” He breathed, taking a cautious step towards her.