Destiny of the Substitute Bride
9. The Tears of Bella.

Noah doesn't have to figure out who caused Bella like this. Who else if not the mother?

The man then rallied to see Bella's situation closer. He was about to give help, but as his hand stretched out to reach Bella, a speck of doubt suddenly appeared in Noah's mind.

Noah realized he had to do something, but for some reason, he felt like something else was holding him back.

Noah hurried to pull back his hand. Simultaneously, Netra Blue Bella started to open.

It took a few seconds for Bella to adjust her vision, before then realizing, that in front of her now there was the figure of the husband who had just returned from the office.

"Yes, God!" With a panicked face the girl hurriedly folded up the thick blanket Noah had worn, and put it back on the bed.

"Ma—maaf, Brother, ak—I just hitchhiked a short nap. I didn't realize that .. anu ...." Not knowing what else to say, Bella chose to bow her head deeply. "Once again I'm sorry, brother," said the girl full of regret.

"I'll go to the toilet first, excuse me." After saying so, Bella with a limp step immediately left Noah.

Noah did not answer. He just looked at Bella with an illegible look on his face.

Arriving at the toilet, Bella looked at the reflection of her face in the mirror. A small ringing occasionally came out of the girl's mouth, each time trying to touch her bruised cheeks and temples. Not only that, in the corner of Bella's lips there is even a drop of dar4h that has dried.

The girl single-handedly cleaned her wound using medicine from a P3K box inside Noah's toilet.

"You must be strong Bella!" Despite the focus on treating her wounds, Bella did not stop muttering a sentence to strengthen her own heart.

Bella remains a kara. Who else in this house is capable of giving him strength other than himself?

Harold's? Instead he is the only person who does not want Bella to tell about what she experienced for a dozen years in this house.

Bella just doesn't want her foster family's wholeness to fall apart because of this. So, as much as possible the girl will continue to maintain the harmony of this family, despite having to destroy herself.

Harmonious family? Inner Bella. A line of grinning smiles was imprinted on her beautiful face.

A second later, the bottle of alcohol0l that was originally clasped tightly in Bella's hand suddenly crashed onto the floor. The cry that had been trying since he was deep in the darkest space of his soul, instantly burst out without being restrained.

Bella doesn't care if her cries are heard by Noah. Bella also does not care if Noah will abuse her later, the most important thing is that she can put all the burden on her heart at this time.

Noah's eyes suddenly closed when he heard Bella's heartbreaking crying in the bathroom.

The man who was standing at the bathroom door pulled his outstretched hand back forward and left.

...**********...

The atmosphere at the dinner table this morning went on as usual. Nothing has changed with Jessica's attitude, though yesterday she almost got Bella in the hospital. The woman remained with her fake temperament before the husband, as if nothing had ever happened.

"Yes, Pa," replied Bella kindly.

"You're wearing makeup today?" ask the man curious. Understandably, Bella is a simple-looking girl who almost never dresses up.

Hearing Harold's sudden question, not only made Bella surprised, but also Jessica and Noah.

The girl had indeed deliberately covered her bruise using a solid powder that was thick enough, so as not to look Harold. However, instead of being invisible to the father, Bella's makeup actually attracted her attention.

"Again, Pa," replied Bella, touching her cheek in embarrassment.

Harold nodded his head. "Purchase nice clothes, honey, you're now Noah's wife, sooner or later you'll have to go with her to important events" the man asked.

Harold always asked Bella to do everything without having to feel awkward, like going to a salon or buying fancy clothes. However, the girl refused and said that the money should be used for more useful things.

Not only that, Bella's rejection. When she was a teenager, Bella also returned two credit cards given by her father a few days later.

All of those rejections don't actually come entirely from Bella. Jessica threatened him.

The woman even had to hold the husband's credit card in Bella's hand, before finally telling the girl to return it.

Bella nodded small. "Yes, Pa," he answered softly.

"Slow down, Pa. Bella doesn't need to show up to the public yet, she'd rather spend her time at home. Right, right, Bella?" Jessica suddenly opened her voice.

Bella turned her eyes to Jessica, who was now looking at her with a vengeance.

"It's okay. Bella has been locked up in this luxurious palace for too long. It's time for him to come out and mingle with someone else." Harold replied firmly.

Jessica immediately fell silent without daring to go against the words of her husband.

"Not until two months, your husband will take Papa's place. You must prepare to accompany Noah at his inauguration, Bella," Harold told the adopted daughter, as well as his only son-in-law.

Bella bit her lips while nodding faintly. Meanwhile, a smile full of happiness instantly flashed clearly on Jessica's beautiful face after hearing the news about Noah's appointment. There was something hidden behind the woman's sweet smile.

"One more for you both." Harold opened his voice again. "After you're appointed, you should start living apart from us" the man continued.

Noah, who was busy chewing his breakfast, suddenly coughed when he heard his father's words. The man hurriedly drank a glass of water, before then protesting at him. "Pa, this isn't in the deal!"

"Indeed. Things like this don't need a deal, Noah. Your current relationship is a new husband and wife, so it is natural to build your own household. Papa is looking for a comfortable house or apartment for your residence later. Think of it as a wedding gift from Papa and Mama."

Bella no longer knows what kind of reaction to respond to Harold's words. The girl was completely unable to make her voice. Let alone a sound, swallow breakfast that is still full on his plate, he could not do it.