Snake Queen

It was almost night when Bella arrived at her house—Tristan's house. 

Actually, Bella didn't want to return to this house anymore. But she needed to take out all her belongings, and most importantly, she needed to erase all traces of her in the house. 

She didn't want to leave anything for Tristan to remember her. She wanted that man to forget her because she would do the same. 

...

When Bella was done parking her rental car in the front yard, she saw Noora appear from the main entrance. Only saw Noora's worried expression, enough to make Bella know something was happening inside. 

Bella silently sighed deeply before exiting the car, "Aunty, why do you look so annoyed?" 

"Young Miss, someone is waiting for you," Noora said with a worried tone. Bella could guess the person she is referring to. 

"Snake Queen?" Bella casually said while walking toward the door. She prepared herself to face her mother-in-law for the last time before she left this house. 

Noora didn't utter anything but nodded. She took Bella's bag and walked to follow her inside. 

"Aunty, have you finished packing everything I told you?"

"Yes. I finished packing all your belongings and removed all your pictures in this house. But—" Noora paused while stopping her step. 

Bella also stops while turning to look at Noora. 

"Miss, I didn't enter young Mas... I mean Tristan's bedroom. You know, his maid always guards that room and never lets anyone except him enter, right!?" She said hushedly, afraid someone would hear what they were talking about. 

Bella slightly frowned, but a second later, she smiled while tapping Noora's shoulder gently. 

"Aunty, don't worry. Tristan will never keep a picture of me inside his bedroom and study room..." Her lips revealed a barely noticeable smile when she remembered how cold Tristan was toward her during their four years of marriage. 

Only a few people know that they don't share the same bedroom. They have their own room. Tristan only visits her room when he wants to make love to her. Her life in this house is like a palace woman in the Eastern historical drama, as a concubine. 

All this time, she was delusional to think Tristan had a feeling toward her, even just a little; that's why she was okay with this arrangement.

Noora was at a loss for words and felt sorry for her young miss. She knows how miserable Bella's life is in this house, but she can't change Bella's mind about leaving because she knows that Bella truly loves Tristan. She could only guard Bella if someone tried to hurt her physically.

Bella gave her car key to Noora, "Aunty, bring all my belongings and yours to the car. We will leave the house tonight after I settle my matter here," She smiles to reassure Noora that they will be fine. 

After she saw Noora leave, her smile gradually vanished. Her lovely expression slowly turns cold, ready to face the snake queen. 

Bella took a deep breath before walking confidently toward the living room.

She tried to maintain Monalisa's smile, yet in her heart, she was a little worried that Jessica Sinclair, her mother-in-law, could see what was inside her broken heart. She could not appear weak before this woman.

"Mother," Bella greeted her first. 

Even though she hated Jessica, as a woman, she was impressed with how Jessica maintained her beauty and body. She still looks young even though her age is almost sixty. She always appears perfect to others, with heavy make-up and a beautiful hairdo.

Bella never saw Jessica wear casual home clothes; she always appeared in her beautiful-expensive dress from the famous branch. 

"I'm sorry, Mother, I came home late. If you call me earlier, I will return faster," Bella said in her fake-apologetic expression. Still, she didn't get any response from Jessica, only a bitchy glance. 

Bella didn't mind how Jessica looked at her. She calmly sat across from Jessica while maintaining her smile. 

Looking at how calm Jessica is now, she hasn't started to abuse her verbally; Bella could guess Jessica still doesn't know about her divorce from Tristan. Because if this woman knew, she would have kicked her out of the house.

"Mother, why are you waiting for me here? Is there anything important you want to talk to me?" Bella asked again, remembering Noora's words that Jessica had been waiting for her since this afternoon. 

Jessica's cold expression slowly changed as she smiled even though her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Bella wasn't surprised to see Jessica's cold smile; she used to witness that. She only smiles back at her while waiting for her to say something.

After a few seconds of silence, Jessica finally said, "Don't call me MOTHER." Her icy voice finally came, surprising Bella.

'Huh... She already knows!?' Bella wonders. 

"Why do you still appear here? You better leave this place, Bella!" Jessica's eyes were so sharp, as if she wanted to slap Bella with her gaze.

"I'm impressed you already know about that matter..." Bella answered casually as she leaned her back on the sofa. She felt relaxed; she no longer had to pretend.

Jessica was surprised to see how calm Bella's expression was now. She thought Bella would make a scene in this house because Tristan divorced her. 

What she worries the most is that Bella will go to the media and talk to them about her marriage to Tristan, but she waits all day, and nothing happens. 

However, until now, Jessica still has not felt relieved, worrying Bella has a nasty plan behind their backs — humiliate the Sinclair family's reputation.

'This little slut must be satisfied with the money Tristan gave her. That's why she feels in a good mood and agrees to keep silent about her marriage with Tristan?' Jessica wonders. 

After a few more seconds passed, Jessica finally spoke, "Of course I know," she paused when an evil smile slowly appeared on her lips, "—because I forced Tristan to divorce you."

Bella was stunned beyond words by what she heard.