Chapter forty one

Sleep, a fragile visitor, eluded Belle that night. Every rustle of leaves outside Olivia's window sent a jolt through her, every creak of the floorboards sounded like approaching footsteps. The image of Keo, his face contorted in rage, replayed in her mind on a loop.

A part of her, a deep and stubborn part, still loved him. But the fear, raw and primal, overshadowed everything else. She couldn't return to a relationship built on possessiveness and violence. Not anymore.

Dawn broke, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. Exhausted but unable to sleep, Belle found Olivia curled up on the couch, a half-eaten bowl of cereal beside her.

"Couldn't sleep?" Olivia asked, her voice husky with sleep.

Belle shook her head, her throat tight. "I'm scared to go home. What if Keo's there?"

Olivia's face hardened. "He shouldn't be. And if he is, I'll handle him." Her voice held a quiet ferocity that sent a shiver down Belle's spine.

"But... I love him, Olivia," Belle confessed, her voice a choked whisper. "I just don't want to be scared of him anymore."

Olivia reached out, pulling Belle into a tight hug. "I know, honey. And you shouldn't be. We'll figure this out, together."

The day unfolded in a blur of activity. Olivia, ever the optimist, tried to distract Belle with gossip and plans. "Speaking of figuring things out," she announced, holding up her phone, "remember the book party Alexander is throwing tomorrow night?"

Belle winced inwardly. The idea of Alexander hosting a party after what had happened at the cafe seemed surreal. "Do you think it's still on?" she asked, her voice laced with doubt.

Olivia shrugged. "Why not? You should call him, see what he says."

A hesitant hope flickered within Belle. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way forward. Taking a deep breath, she dialed Alexander's number.

The phone rang once, twice, then a familiar voice filled her ear. "Hello, Belle? This is Alexander."

"Hi, Alexander," she said, her voice small. "It's… it's about the party tomorrow night."

"Ah, yes," he replied, his voice warm and welcoming. "I was just about to call you. The venue is all set, and the invitations have gone out."

"But… after what happened yesterday…" Belle stammered, unsure how to voice her concern.

"Let me assure you, Belle," he interrupted gently, "the incident at the cafe won't affect the party. In fact, I'm hoping it's a chance to celebrate a new chapter for 'Him and Her.'"

Belle's heart skipped a beat. "A new chapter?"

"Indeed," Alexander said with a chuckle. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't completely committed to publishing your book."

Relief washed over Belle, warm and unexpected. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for a new beginning, not just for her book, but for her life.

"Actually," Alexander continued, "I was wondering… would you be open to meeting me for lunch before the party? We could discuss some final details."

Belle glanced at Olivia, who gave her a thumbs-up. Taking a deep breath, she smiled. "Yes, Alexander. Lunch sounds lovely."

As she hung up the phone, a feeling of cautious optimism bloomed within her. The future remained uncertain, but with Olivia by her side and a publisher who believed in her work, Belle felt a newfound strength. Perhaps, amidst the wreckage of the past day, a new path was beginning to take shape.

Just then, a knock on the door echoed through the house. Olivia exchanged a surprised look with Belle. "Who could that be?" she murmured, walking towards the door cautiously.

Belle's breath hitched as she saw, through the living room window, a familiar figure standing on the porch. It was Alexander, a bouquet of lilies in his hand, his face etched with concern.

Olivia cautiously opened the door, a sliver of suspicion clinging to her gaze. Alexander stood there, holding the bouquet of lilies like a peace offering.

"Alexander," Olivia said, her voice neutral. "What can I do for you?"

"Olivia," he greeted her politely. "May I come in? I came to check on Belle."

Olivia's gaze flicked towards Belle, who stood frozen in the middle of the living room, a mixture of surprise and apprehension etched on her face. With a curt nod, Olivia stepped aside, allowing Alexander to enter.

"Belle," Alexander said, his voice warm and concerned as he approached her. "How are you feeling? Still sore?"

Belle managed a weak smile. "I'm a little bruised, but I'll be alright. Thank you for asking."

He studied her for a moment, his gaze lingering on the red mark on her cheek. "Has Keo contacted you?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

A tense silence filled the room. Belle hesitated, then shook her head. "No, he hasn't."

"Good," Alexander said, a hint of relief in his voice. "If he does," he continued, his gaze unwavering, "I'd be happy to talk to the police about a restraining order. There's no excuse for his behavior."

Belle's stomach tightened. "No, Alexander," she said quickly. "A restraining order won't solve anything. Keo… he just needs time to calm down."

Olivia let out a scoff, her arms crossed across her chest. "Time to calm down after he puts his hands on you? Belle, come on!"

Belle ignored Olivia's outburst, her gaze fixed on Alexander. "Let's not jump to conclusions. I need to talk to Keo, to understand what happened."

Alexander sighed, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "But what if he hurts you again?"

"I won't let him," Belle insisted, a steely glint in her eyes.

Olivia threw her hands up in exasperation. "Here we go again. You're still defending him after what he did?"

Belle winced, caught between her loyalty to Keo and the growing concern in the room. "It's complicated, Olivia. I just…"

"Actually," Alexander interrupted gently, steering the conversation away from the volatile topic, "I came here not just to check on you, Belle. Remembered the party tomorrow night?"

A flicker of interest lit up Belle's face. "Yes, of course."

"Excellent," he said, a smile gracing his lips. "The venue is all set, and I was hoping…" He paused, his gaze flickering between Belle and Olivia, "that you might be open to having lunch with me beforehand. We could discuss some final details, and perhaps…" he trailed off, a hint of nervousness in his voice, "pick out your outfit for the party?"

Belle's heart skipped a beat. The thought of spending more time with Alexander, especially after the events of yesterday, was both thrilling and terrifying. However, the image of picking out a dress with Keo looming large in the back of her mind made her hesitate.

"I appreciate the offer, Alexander," she said carefully, "but perhaps it would be best if I picked out an outfit with Olivia. We usually do this together for big events, and I wouldn't want to upset Keo any further."

Olivia's jaw clenched tight at the mention of Keo's name. It was clear her patience with Belle's misplaced loyalty was wearing thin. The air crackled with unspoken tension as Alexander considered Belle's response.

The air hung heavy with unspoken tension after Olivia stormed out of the room. Belle, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions, felt tears prickling her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Alexander," she mumbled, her voice thick with shame. "This whole situation is just… a mess."

Alexander offered her a gentle smile. "It's alright, Belle. Don't apologize. You're going through a lot right now." He paused, his gaze flickering towards the door Olivia had slammed shut. "Is she usually so… protective?"

Belle managed a weak chuckle. "Olivia's always had my back. Sometimes a little too much, as you just witnessed."

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders. "Well, I should freshen up. Olivia and I are planning on heading to the mall to look at dresses for the party."

"The party," Alexander echoed. "Right. Well, in that case, perhaps I can offer a suggestion."

"A suggestion?" Belle raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity sparking in her eyes.

"There's this new boutique downtown," Alexander explained, his voice regaining its professional tone. "They have a fantastic selection of designer dresses. Perhaps it would be a good place to start your search."

Belle considered his suggestion, a tiny spark of hope igniting within her. The thought of focusing on something positive, something related to her dream, felt like a lifeline amidst the chaos.

"That sounds lovely, Alexander," she said with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

With a newfound sense of purpose, Belle headed towards the bathroom. As she splashed water on her face, her phone buzzed on the counter. A text message notification. Wiping her hands, she picked up the phone, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the sender's name.

It was Keo.

His message was short, filled with remorse. "Dolcezza," it began, the sweet nickname he often used for her sending a pang through her heart. "I'm so sorry for what happened. Please meet me. I need to make things right."

Belle stared at the message, her emotions churning. The endearment, once a symbol of their affection, now felt like a painful reminder. A part of her yearned to hear his apology, to see if there was any hope left for their relationship.

But another part, the more cautious one, held her back. The memory of his rage, the fear that had gripped her, was still fresh. Did he truly understand the gravity of his actions? Or was this just a temporary fix, a fleeting apology that wouldn't prevent the cycle from repeating?

With trembling fingers, she typed a reply. "Keo, I appreciate you wanting to talk. But… I need more time. Time to think, time to heal. I'll let you know."

Sending the message, a sense of finality washed over her. It wasn't a complete rejection, but it wasn't a promise either. It was a step towards taking control, putting her own needs first.

As she exited the bathroom, a newfound determination shone in her eyes. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Olivia by her side and a renewed focus on her dream, Belle was ready to face it, one step at a time.