Chapter 23

Bella rushed into Jett's arms before dinner. "Mmm. My lover. Want to go back to my room after we eat?"

Jett pulled her away, holding her at arm's length, saying, "We need to talk."

He sat her on the couch of the library, sitting next to her.

"What's going on?"

Bella saw his eyes were red and swollen. Something was wrong.

"Bella, I want you to know that I love you. But... that thing is... we have two different lives and..."

"No! No! Don't you dare say it. No, Jett. Please don't?" She cried.

"Bella, we can't do this. You know that they will never allow us to be together. Please forgive me."

"We can try... please? Don't do this to me."

"I don't think we should see each other again. I'm sorry." Jett couldn't look at her. Hearing her cry was killing him. He got up, kissing her cheek as he did. "I will never love another woman. I promise. I'm so sorry." Jett walked out of the room, leaving her alone.

Bella ran out of the room to chase after him. Yanking at his arm, she was in hysterics.

She pled, "No. Please? I love you too. Please, don't leave me."

She grabbed his face, trying to force him to look at her. If he would just look at her, he would change his mind.

Jett pushed her away, trying to get a distance between them. Everyone was standing in the hallway heading to dinner, watching the spectacle unfold. Bella wept as Jett left her broken and alone. Scarlett ran over, catching Bella as she fell to the floor in a crying mess.

Jett ran to his room, locking the door. Punching the door, it almost rattled from its hinges. He fell against the door. Sliding to the floor.

"What have I done?"

His head fell in his hands as he cried harder than he had in his entire life. He felt like he was nothing more than a coward for not standing his ground for her.

Vowing to himself, "I'll never stop. I have to find a way. I hate this. Please give me an answer to fix this." He pounded his head on the door, gritting his teeth as tears trailed down his face.

***

Bella woke the next morning and went to the window. She moved back the curtains, finding Jett in the courtyard alone. He looked up at her window, tears streaming down his face. Mason came over telling him it was time to go, and he looked away trying to dry his eyes.

A knock on the door startled her, and Bella quickly turned to see Scarlett stepping in.

"Bella, we are going back to the states. Won't you come to say goodbye?"

"Why does it have to be this way?"

"It doesn't have to be. Bella, remember you always have a choice. Your great grandfather made his choice for love. You can find a way. I just know it. Please come down. I'm sure everyone wants to say goodbye."

"Not everyone," Bella huffed.

"He's hurting too, Bella. Just as much as you are. He just thinks it's the right thing to do right now. He doesn't want to hold you back."

"I guess so. All right. I'll go to say goodbye. At least I'll have a little closure."

They walked out to the front of the castle where Bella told her goodbyes to everyone. Jett walked up to her, dragging his feet, shifting nervously with his hands in his pockets. He leaned over, kissing her cheek and taking her hand in his to hold it to his heart.

"I'll never forget you. Remember, I love you. I don't want it to be like this, but I can't see any other way right now."

"You won't change your mind?"

"I will always love you. You're my queen. I'm sorry."

He turned and got in the car. One more second he was sure he wouldn't be able to leave.

Bella felt like her entire world was leaving and her only chance to love with it. As they drove away, Bella tried to run after the car.

Pleading for him, she cried, "Jett! Please don't go. Don't go!"

She fell to her knees in a heap of tears. As quickly as he came into her life, he was gone.