Till We Meet Again | The Ceo's Absent Lover

46 | MORE BABIES

"From the instant I stepped into your home, I sensed your animosity and reluctance to have me here. I've realized that you only permitted my presence to guarantee I won't be involved with your daughter going forward." He took a moment to look at each of them before continuing, "Judging by your expressions, it seems I've hit the nail on the head." His words were met with silence as the weight of his accusations settled in the room.

As Adane made his assumption, Gretta's curiosity grew. Who was this man that seemed to intimidate Jonathan so much? But Jonathan stayed quiet, not wanting to dig a bigger grave for himself.

"Dad, Mom. Adane is the CEO of the AB group."

Gretta's heart raced as her eyes snapped open, a jolt of surprise coursing through her. Despite not being part of the business world, she was well aware of the AB Group's reputation—the powerhouse that dominated New York's industry.

"Um... I... Mr. Crawford, S-sir," she stammered, a mix of admiration and anxiety swirling within her. "I’m sorry I didn’t realize it was you. I-I...” Her words faltered.

"The only reason you're not completely miserable at this moment is because of your daughter and my children." Adane dabbed his mouth with a napkin before rising to his feet. "You both need to consider how to make amends with your daughter."

Turning to Bella, he added, "I'm going to take my leave now."

Bella stood up, her shoulders squared, and chin held high. She looked at her parents, who were sitting on the couch with saddened expressions."I am the one responsible for everything that happened to Kay," she admitted, her expression unreadable. "And I don't regret a single thing. But if you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, I would appreciate it."

"Bella, you!" Gretta exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mixture of shock and disbelief. Her eyes widened, and she raised a shaky finger to point at her daughter. Gretta's legs wobbled beneath her, threatening to give way at any moment.

"Dad, Mom," Bella began, her voice steady and composed, a stark contrast to her mother's state. "I hope you enjoy the rest of the day. Thank you for having us." Her words were polite but carried an undercurrent of finality. "I'll be heading home now, and I'll see you soon."

With that, Bella and Adane turned and walked away, their footsteps fading into the distance.

Johnathan and Gretta stood frozen in place, their mouths agape and their minds reeling. The sudden silence that enveloped them was deafening. Bella's words hung in the air like a heavy fog, leaving her parents utterly dumbfounded.

Bella was the cause for the downfall in the company's stocks and reputation, and to top it off, it didn't seem as if sIhe had any remorse. The shock of the moment seemed to stretch time itself, as they struggled to come to terms with the unexpected turn of events.
....

In the Car.

""Are you okay?" Adane's concerned voice cut through the tense silence. Bella nodded, her eyes downcast as she fought back tears. "I knew that was how they would react, but... but I was still hoping for something better from them."
"It's okay, Bella," Adane reassured her, leaning in to kiss her forehead gently. "I saw that you barely touched the food. Let's go and grab something else to eat."

The couple drove off, the car tires crunching against the pavement as they left behind the suffocating atmosphere of judgment and disappointment. The smell of exhaust and freshly cut grass mingled in the air as they made their way to a nearby restaurant.

When they got home, Adane went to check on the girls while Bella the boys. Adane walked into the room and sat on Camila's bed. 

The little child was a light sleeper, so she woke up as soon as Adane sat down.