Loveless♣

Chapter 26

He was going to die.
Bella could see his face turning red as he struggled against the hold on his neck.He wasn't breathing properly. He was letting out short chopped breaths that showed that he was struggling to get some oxygen into his system.
He gritted his teeth and tried to release the hold on his neck but to no avail.
His assaulter's rage filled face would be the last thing he saw before he passed on.
"Joshua!"Bella shouted.
There was no reply.He remained in the same position he was in.Didn't even flinch.It was as though she hadn't spoken.
"Joshua,put him down now!"she shouted louder this time.
She was scared.The look on his face was the same one she had seen a large number of times growing up.
It was that hard and animalistic look laced with deep concentration.
The look that took over men's faces when they were about to kill.
"Joshua!"
Joshua turned slowly to face her.He took in her face.It was a mixture of anger,desperation and...fear?
He blinked.Then turned back to Terrence whom he'd heaved off the floor and pinned to the wall with his palm.He was going to die of asphyxiation if Joshua didn't release his hold on him.
He then understood why Bella was frightened.
In a fit of rage,he'd stormed into Patti's house the moment they'd arrived and,disregarding her and Bella's yelling,had went straight for Terrence,grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the wall.
Joshua sighed,looked at Bella again,then released him.
Terrence dropped the floor and instantly reached for his throat,touching it desperately and coughing loudly.
Joshua stared at him for a moment,then turned and walked away.
Patti rushed to Terrence, her braids flying all around.
Her face was filled with fear.
"Terry,are you alright?" she asked,touching his face."Can you breathe?"
"Water," he rasped."Need water."
Bella said,"I'll get it.Just a sec.Hang on,alright? "
She rushed to the kitchen and froze she she saw Joshua resting his forehead the kitchen windowsill.He raised his head when he heard her come in and turned to face her.He immediately wished he didn't.
Her eyes sent daggers towards him.
They stood there in silence,then she walked towards the kitchen sink,and filled a glass with water.
"Bella,I'm sorry for what hap-"
"Oh,don't you dare spit nonsense to me,Joshua! You nearly killed a man in your blind mindless fury," she said angrily,turning to face him.
"Well,what was I supposed to do,huh?The man brought danger right to my nephew's doorstep! You can't blame me for my actions!"
"Can't blame you?"she repeated incredulously." Can't blame you?Who else is there to blame!If he'd died what would you have done,huh?Tell me."
Joshua fell silent.
"I thought as much," she said,and fixed him a cold glare before walking out.
In the living room,Patti was fanning Terrence with a thin magazine.
He was sprawled on the couch,breathing slowly.
Bella sat beside him and brought the glass to his lips.
He took the glass from her and finished the water in two gulps.
Bella and Patti exchanged looks.
They were meeting for the first time and hadn't had time to introduce themselves due to the awkward yet somewhat frightening situation that had taken place moments before.
Patti shot her an apologetic smile."I'm sorry we had to meet like this.I'm Patricia, Joshua's sister."
"Mucho gusto," Bella replied.
Patti's face lit up in delight."You're Spanish,aren't you?That's why you look exotic.I was thinking you were Hawaiian or something. "
She giggled.
Bella smiled at her outgoing behavior.
"Charmed,"she said."But, I'm part François and part Español."
"I know.Terry told me a lot about you.He said you grew up together.He's the father of my child."
"That much I gathered," Bella replied.She bent to look inside the hallway.
The moment she'd entered,she'd shooed Henry inside a room with little Joshua.Thank God she did.It was as if she'd known what was coming because the moment she came out,she saw Joshua strangling Terrence.
Violence was not a thing for children to witness,in her opinion.
Terrence's breathing normalized.
Bella and Patti studied him apprehensively.
"Are you OK?" Patti asked.
He nodded,but didn't speak.
"Good to hear," Joshua said suddenly, startling them all.Terrence actually jumped a little.They all turned and saw him standing in the kitchen doorway,his hands in his pockets.
He was scowling.
"Terrence.I'd like to have a word with you..now," Joshua said.
"No!" Patti yelled,standing up."What the fuck is wrong with you,Joshua?"
He glared at her.
"You mind your tone when you're talking to me,Patricia," he said softly but threateningly."Terrence,a word."
Patricia folded her arms.
"I said no,Josh.You can't just barge into my house and yell as you please and attack people."
"I can if the so-called people are idiots who'll probably bring danger to you or my nephew,understand?!"
Patricia gritted her teeth."I get that you deeply care about my son and I and for that I am extremely grateful, but you will respect me in this house,Joshua.Terrence is the father of my child,OK? He has a right to be here."
"What bloody right?He's no father!All he is is a sperm donor!"
"Joshua!"Bella yelled.
"No,you stay the fuck out of this,Isabella," he said,holding a hand up to halt her speech.Then he turned back to Patricia."Where was he when Joshua was growing up?Did he ever bring a penny?Stay with his son for a night?Where was he when Joshua started walking?Does he even know Joshua's first words?No!All he did was knock you up and disappear.Then he came back and stole your money and you're here defending him?Are you that daft,Pat?"
There was a bone chilling silence.Patti's hands fell to her side involuntarily.
Joshua's heart broke when he saw the tears in her eyes.He'd hurt her.
He hadn't meant to.
He just didn't know when to stop whenever he was angry.
"Patricia," he said softly."I didn't mean-"
"You know,Joshua, I think you've said enough,"Bella said,rising and walking up to Patti.
She held the girl by the shoulders and led her outside,leaving Joshua staring after them guiltily.
He opened his mouth to speak but closed it and sighed.Bella and Patti walked outside and closed the door behind them.
"Shit," he muttered,and ran a hand through his hair.
Terrence had his head down the whole time.
He finally looked up at Joshua and stood up.
"Um.." he began,then swallowed."I know I'm the last person you wanna see right now,but I needed to talk to Patricia. Needed to see her and my son one last time before I leave for good."
Joshua looked at him and frowned.
"Yeah," Terrence continued. "But before I go,I need to tell you what's really going on.It's about my past..and Bella's.Nemesis is catching up with us."
Joshua paused for a moment,regarding him.
Then he said,"Tell me everything. "

Hey,guys.Sorry for the late update.Joshua's got anger issues,right?I think we should make him see a shrink or something.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Get ready to learn about Bella's shady past.
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