Loveless♣

Chapter 46

"You look....as enchanting as ever,Isabella," CJ said,releasing her to look at her face better.He frowned."Where on earth have you been?I've been searching for you."

"I didn't want to be found," Bella replied simply.

She looked at him,he looked at her.Their minds flashed to a thousands nights ago.

"Right," CJ said and cleared his throat."I completely understand. "He stepped back and put his hands in his pockets." Still,it's-"

"-great to see me?Yeah,I heard."

"I missed you."

"You could've attended my funeral,y'know," she said bluntly,then narrowed her eyes."Too bad I didn't die."

He chuckled."I knew you'd bring that up."

"Bring what up?" she asked hotly."How you sent Esteban to kill me!?!"

"I did not-" CJ began.

"That's not what happened,Bella," Bear interrupted. "CJ didn't send Esteban to kill you."

Bella whipped around to face her."And you?!"She pointed at her."You set my house on fire,Bear!While I was in it!"Tears began to gather in her eyes."If Terrence hadn't broken into my room through the window,I would not be alive today!"

"I didn't intend to kill you,Bella!" Bear retorted."I intended to kill Sebastian.I-"

"Lies!!!"

"Terrence didn't save you,though,Bella,"Cornrows spoke up."He's the one who sold you out."

Bella froze."What?"

"Haven't you ever wondered how Sebastian found you so quickly after you escaped with Terrence? Terrence led you right into a trap,right into the lion's den."

"Tha-thats not possible," Bella stuttered. "He helped me escape my burning house.I'd have died alongside my Aunt Ignacia!He saved me!"

"-at Sebastian's request," Ratface said.Bella turned to him.He hadn't changed much in years.He still had the same long oval face and pointed nose.Coupled with his pointed ears and buckteeth, Ratface had been an apt name for him.
He had been the first to betray Sebastian and join forces with CJ.

Bella turned back to Bear.
"Is what they're saying true,Enriqueta?"

Bear sighed."Yes,Bella.After Terrence learnt about what you did and how CJ and Sebastian were going to battle,he tried hard to be in Sebastian's good graces.He begged Sebastian to spare his life,no matter the outcome of the war,because there was some girl he loved,Patricia,up North.Sebastian requested only one thing from him-you.He wanted you to be alone with him,to go down with him."

Bella gasped and the tears spilled."That's why he led me to the farmhouse. He said it was secluded and far from harm,but-Oh my God,he set me up!"Her hands flew to her face."He led me to Sebastian. "

Cornrows said,"It was easy for Terrence to deceive you since y'all were so close.."

"I'm sorry," CJ said at once.Bella turned to him."I should've saved you.Shouldn't have abandoned you.I saw Esteban raise a gun at you and I didn't do a thing.I-"

"Why didn't you!?!"she screamed."I trusted you...so much!All of you!"She turned to face Bear and the boys."I loved you all and you turned your backs on me!Me!One girl!And because of what?!"She faced CJ now,her face wet with tears."Because I tried to make peace between you and Sebastian?"

"Bella.." CJ began softly,his heart contracting in pain.

"When I ran to you," Bella cried, pointing at him."When I ran to you,Cade,amidst the fire and the blood spillage that had enveloped our town,you turned your back on me.You literally turned your back on me!"