Bella dashed out of Yara Park without bothering to end the call or change her clothes, resembling a bird breaking free from its cage.
In the quiet night, a lone lamp casts its glow on a tall and handsome figure, enveloping him in a soft halo of light. His eyes glistened brightly with anticipation.
Despite the late hour and the forecasted rain, Justin hastily drove alone to reunite with his beloved partner after completing his duties in Savrow.
It had only been a day, yet the longing felt unbearable for him.
"Justin!"
With tears glistening in her eyes, Bella pushed open the heavy gates and ran toward Justin.
Justin's charming eyes widened momentarily, then softened into a narrow slit, his thin lips curling into a radiant and affectionate smile.
He had already opened his arms, intending to greet her, but the petite woman had already flown into his embrace. He tightened his strong arms around her, hugging her tightly.
"I rushed over as fast as I could because I was worried you'd be asleep."
Justin's warm breath tickled her ear as he wrapped his right arm firmly around her slender waist, while his left hand tenderly caressed her thin back. His voice, low and gentle, assured her. "But it's okay. I'd wait for you here all night if I had to, even though waiting until the next morning will be quite tortuous."
"Justin..." Bella sniffed, her eyes tinged with redness.
Bella felt as though she were a whale returning to the sea or a bird returning to its nest.
It felt as if no other place in the world could make her feel more at ease than in his embrace.
"Hmm? Bella, are you crying?"
Justin was surprised as he gently lifted Bella's warm face by pinching her chin.
Upon meeting her dewy eyes, a sharp pain pierced his heart, causing his brows to furrow slightly. "Are you really crying? Did someone upset you?"
Bella pressed her fingers against his chest, crumpling his shirt.
She recalled Wyatt's cruel words about arranging her sister's marriage to the Iverson family solely to facilitate her relationship with Justin. Tears continued to well up in her eyes as she asked, her voice choked with resentment, "Should we not be together?"
Justin's heart clenched instantly, his lips trembling with concern. "Bella, what's going on? Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"
"I just think that misfortunes keep coming one after another whenever we're together..."
As Bella continued speaking, her emotions intensified, prompting tears to well up. While she projected strength and authority in the presence of others, with her beloved man, she transformed into a pool of water, soft and vulnerable.
"First it was Asher, and now it's Amelia. Justin, we're not destined to be together... It feels like fate is against us!"
Justin's face was filled with fear. His heart ached uncontrollably, and his hand trembled around her waist. His voice tightened as he asked, "Bella... Please don't scare me. What's wrong? Please tell me." Bella remained silent. She bit her lower lip, unsure of how to begin.
"Bella... I'll do anything for you. Even if you ask me to give up my position in the Salvador Corporation, I'll do it without hesitation."
Justin felt like his throat was being constricted. His breath turned shallow. "Just don't leave me. Please... Please don't leave me."
They had endured many thrilling experiences together and finally came together against all odds. Bella could not bear the thought of leaving him too.