Everyone sat frozen as Bella stormed out of the living room.
It wasn't like her. Bella had always been known for her composure, for apologising even when she wasn't at fault never for walking out on her mum. Vera sat speechless, too stunned to follow.
"I'll go talk to her," Jayden said.
"Let me come with you," Kayden added.
Vera only nodded, and the twins headed for their sister's room.
They knocked gently.
"Leave me alone!" Bella's voice came sharp through the door.
"Sis, it's Jayden and I. Can you please open up?" Kayden coaxed.
There was silence, then slow footsteps. The lock clicked, and Bella pulled the door open. Her eyes were tired, red-rimmed, but she forced herself to stand tall.
"What's with the outburst?" Jayden asked carefully.
"You're not the type to lose it out of nowhere," Kayden added. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Bella sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Yeah... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have walked out like that. It's just everything suddenly felt like déjà vu. Like we were about to go through what we went through when Dad left. Mum trusts too easily. She's... naïve sometimes. And I can't let us get hurt again. You two were so young when he left you probably don't even remember. But I do. And selling the house... it feels deeper than you think. What if Joe conspires with his daughter to trick us? What if history repeats itself?"
Jayden's expression softened. "Sis, Uncle Joe isn't Dad. He's nothing like him. He's acted more like our father in the last two years than the man who actually gave us life."
Kayden nodded. "Exactly. And don't forget he's not just some random guy. He's one of the best lawyers in the country. If anything, he's been protecting Mum, not using her."
"And," Jayden added, "I think I finally get why you've been so against dating until now. It's because every guy you meet, you compare him to Dad."
Bella froze, biting her lip. They weren't wrong.
"Look, Sis," Kayden continued, "if you're not okay with selling the houses, Mum and Joe won't push it. You know that. Mum just wants to be happy and we know you want that too. Don't fight so hard that you forget we're all on the same side."
Before Bella could answer, a soft knock came at the door.
"Who is it?" Bella asked.
"It's me... Catty." Raquel's voice was small, trembling.
Jayden opened the door. Raquel stood there, eyes glassy with tears. She looked down at her shoes, whispering, "She hates me now. She didn't even open the door herself."
Bella's heart cracked. "Baby, no. How many times do I have to tell you? I don't hate you."
"Then why did you all leave me downstairs?" Raquel's voice wobbled. "You say I'm your sister, but it doesn't feel like it. I gave my reasons for not wanting to move because I'm hurting too but you all left me. I guess I was wrong about belonging here."
Jayden rushed to her side. "No, baby. Don't think like that. We love you. This is new for all of us we're figuring it out as we go. But you are our sister. Nothing changes that."
Kayden stepped forward too. "Even if you don't feel it, Catty, it's the truth. You're family. Always."
"And you," Bella whispered, pulling Raquel into a hug, "you're my one and only baby sister. I love you, Catty. I'm sorry I made you feel otherwise."
Raquel sniffled, burying her face against Bella. "I'm sorry too. I overheard you telling Oppa about Dad. I don't know what he did to you all back then, but I understand now why it's hard for you to trust any man. But please, Unnie... trust my dad just a little. I know him. He really loves us all especially Mum. He'd never hurt us. Not on purpose."
The twins joined the hug, and for a moment, the tension melted into warmth.
Vera and Joe appeared at the doorway, relieved to see the kids reconciled.
Vera cleared her throat gently. Bella rushed into her arms. "I'm sorry, Mum." She nuzzled into Vera's neck, surprising her with how vulnerable she sounded.
"It's okay, darling," Vera soothed. "This is hard on everyone. Joe and I have decided we'll sell both houses and buy a new one."
The kids' heads snapped up in shock.
"What?" Bella asked, pulling back.
"Yes. One home. For all of us," Joe said firmly.
Bella's heart pounded. "And how do you plan to raise the money for that new place?"
Her eyes were wide, suspicious. The room grew tense again, the echoes of the past looming over her words.
"You don't have to worry about that," Vera said softly. "Joe and I will sort it."
Joe cleared his throat, eyes flicking to each of the kids. "Actually, we've decided on something else."
"What's that?" Bella asked, suspicion in her tone.
"We're getting married next week," Vera said, smiling at Joe.
For a moment there was silence then the kids burst into laughter.
"You've got to be kidding," Bella said, doubling over.
"Is this a prank?" Raquel asked, scanning the corners of the room. "Okay, bring out the hidden camera."
Kayden shook his head, still chuckling. "Mum, seriously?"
But when they looked again at Vera and Joe, their faces were perfectly serious.
"Wait... you actually mean it?" Kayden squealed.
"Yes," Vera said firmly, slipping her hand into Joe's. "We want you all there."
"Well then..." Bella grinned, "let's get to planning."
Joe chuckled. "We want it small. Just close friends and family."
"Backyard wedding?" Bella asked.
"That's the plan," Vera confirmed.
Raquel's hand shot up. "Okay, but what about the honeymoon?"
Joe laughed. "Baby, don't worry about that yet. Let's focus on the wedding first."
A little while later, Bella's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and froze.
"I just got nominated for three award categories at the company's end-of-year party," she said, wide-eyed. "Three."
"That's huge, sis!" Jayden exclaimed.
Before she could process, another email arrived. A panel summons for the next morning. Tracy, Ria, Lilian, Nadia, Alexia, and even Liam had all been called too.
That evening, Chris called.
"Hey, babe," he said warmly. She could hear the smile in his voice.
"Hi," Bella replied shyly, but her lips curved.
"How's my beautiful woman doing?"
"I'm good. And how's my superman?" she teased.
Chris chuckled. "I love that. Your superman is doing great. How was your day?"
Bella leaned back on her pillow. "Mum and Uncle Joe decided to get married next week."
"What?" Chris nearly shouted.
"Yeah," she said with a small laugh. "And you're invited."
"Babe, are you okay with it?" he asked carefully.
"I am. Honestly, I'm happy for her."
"And your brothers?"
"They'll be fine. We all wanted this anyway, just... not this soon."
Chris paused, then asked, "What are you doing on Christmas?"
"Normally I spend it with family, but with Mum's wedding... I don't know yet."
"Would you spend it with me?"
"I can't just leave my siblings, especially if Mum's on honeymoon."
Chris exhaled. "Fair enough." He didn't press.
Bella shifted the topic. "I got called to face a panel tomorrow. FAA."
"You'll be fine, babe," Chris reassured. "Don't panic."
Bella gave a faint smile. "Okay."
"I'll pick you up."
"Chris, no. Everyone knows your cars. They'll drag the scandal back up."
"I'll pick you up tomorrow," he said with a smirk. "You can't say no."
"Chris..." she whined.
"I don't take no for an answer."
She rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see. "Fine."
"Good. See you tomorrow. I love you."
"Goodnight," she said, heart fluttering.
The next morning, Bella rushed outside and froze.
Chris was leaning casually against a black 2020 series 7 BMW, hands in his pockets, looking like a model in joggers and a hoodie .
"Wow," Bella muttered. "Don't tell me you bought this just because of what I said yesterday."
"Good morning to you too," Chris said with a grin.
"Sorry. Good morning." She kissed him quickly, and he returned the gesture.
"I told you I own ten luxury cars," he said, opening the boot to place her box. "But I never said I don't have normal ones."
Bella shook her head in disbelief. "Sometimes I forget my boyfriend is the youngest billionaire bachelor on the continent."
Chris shot her a playful smirk. "Well, don't forget. Because this man right here is aiming to become the youngest billionaire in the world."
Bella laughed, sliding into the passenger seat. Somehow, despite everything the scandal, the panel ahead of her she felt safe with him behind the wheel.