Bella thanked the driver politely as she stepped out of the car, her handbag held close to her side. "I'll call you if I need you later," she added quickly, not giving him a chance to insist on waiting nearby. She turned away before he could question her and walked straight toward the glass doors of the mall.
Her steps were steady, but inside, her heart was racing. This was the first time in her life she had stepped into such a crowded place all alone. The noise of chatter, the footsteps, the jingling music echoing from the tall ceilings—it all felt overwhelming and yet strangely intoxicating. So this is freedom, she thought, taking in the faces of strangers passing by, no bodyguards hovering behind her, no Leo's cold eyes watching her every move. It felt like stepping into a new world, a world that belonged only to her.
