Chapter 2 A Reason To Go Back

Mandy whipped around, her heart thudding in her chest. The voice had been soft, almost like a forgotten melody she once knew by heart. Standing there, with a mop in one hand and a lopsided grin on his face, was Dwight.

Yes, Dwight-the cleaner. And not just any cleaner, but the one who had stolen her heart before Ramsey swooped in like a villain in a cheap soap opera and forced her into marriage.

For a moment, Mandy forgot the world. Her eyes met Dwight's, and a spark of the old feelings ignited between them. She could have sworn she heard violins playing in the background-until the unmistakable sound of snickering broke the spell.

"Oh, look who's got her back!" Elsa drawled, her voice dripping with venom. "The cleaner and the unwanted wife. What a pair!" She chuckled.

Rachel, ever the sidekick, chimed in, "Maybe she can get a job as his assistant, so they can clean up the mess that is in her life!"

The laughter that followed was harsh and biting. Mandy wanted to crawl into a hole, but Dwight squeezed her hand, his warmth giving her a small but much-needed boost of courage.

The next day, Mandy's world brightened a little when Bella returned. Bella, her little sister, the one person in the family who didn't treat her like dirt under their expensive shoes. Bella was a breath of fresh air, with her bubbly personality and the kind of sense of humor that could turn a funeral into a party.

Mandy wasted no time pouring out her heart to Bella and Dwight. She told them everything-how Ramsey had treated her worse than a stray dog, how he had cheated on her with his CEO, Serena Fenton, a woman so icy she probably kept the air conditioning at Arctic levels just to feel at home. And then, as if things couldn't get worse, Mandy revealed the final bombshell: SHE WAS PREGNANT.

Dwight's face turned pale, while Bella's eyes narrowed.

"That snake," Bella hissed. "You need to tell him, Mandy. He needs to know he's making a huge mistake."

Mandy nodded, determined. She had to tell Ramsey, not because she wanted him back, but because he needed to know the consequences of his actions.

So she marched to his office, her heart heavy but her resolve firm.

Ramsey didn't even bother to look up when she entered.

"You've lost the right to my Territory, young woman! you can humbly get the fuck out, now! or I call the security on you."

His tone was as cold as Serena's personality.

"I'm pregnant, Ramsey," Mandy said, her voice trembling. "With YOUR child."

Ramsey finally looked up, and the look in his eyes was pure contempt. "You? Pregnant with my child? Don't make me laugh. Get rid of it. I'm not responsible for your bastard."

The words sliced through Mandy like a knife. But the pain quickly turned into anger. She straightened, her eyes blazing with fury.

"I swear with every bit of my being, Ramsey, you will pay for every tear you've caused me. I'll never forgive you."

Ramsey just smirked and called security to escort her out.

When Mandy returned to Bella and Dwight, she recounted every cruel word Ramsey had spat at her and how the security threw her out too.

Dwight was devastated but helpless.

Bella's face turned a shade of red that Mandy had only seen when Bella was about to explode.

"That's the height of it," Bella declared, grabbing her purse. "Give me his office address." She demanded.

"Bella, what are you-" Mandy began, but Bella was already halfway out the door after collecting his office address card.

"I'm going to make him pay, Mandy. I'll punish him myself. You watch and see."

Bella stormed into Ramsey's office without so much as a knock. There he was, leaning back in his chair like a king, with Serena Fenton perched on his desk like an ice sculpture.

Bella froze. She recognized Ramsey instantly. He was the guy from The Golden gate Bridge at San Francisco. He was the last person she expected to see at Los Angeles. It was a one time meeting with him, an unforgettable one, she never thought they would cross path again.

Bella heart melted to clay when the thought of Ramsey being her only sisters husband struck her. What the fuck! How could this be!

Bella and Ramsey shared a history, a dark one that neither of them ever talked about. So bad that it was buried before it ever happened.

Ramsey looked up, his smirk fading into surprise. "Bella? What are you doing here?"

Bella forced a smile, the kind that didn't reach her eyes. "Just visiting an old friend," she lied smoothly.

They exchanged numbers, a few veiled comments, and a tension-filled glance before Bella left. As she walked away, she couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. If only Ramsey knew WHO SHE REALLY WAS...

Back at home, Bella found Mandy pacing the floor. "What happened?" Mandy asked, her eyes wide with worry.

"Nothing much," Bella lied to Mandy, for the first time in her life. "Just told him to stay away from you. You should forget about him, Mandy. Focus on yourself and the baby."

Mandy's shoulders sagged, What the fuck happened? Why did Bella enthusiasm to help her seek revenge die so fast? Is there something Bella is not saying?..

The weight of everything crashed down on her. Dwight, who had been silent this whole time, suddenly dropped to one knee. "Mandy," he said, his voice soft and sincere, "I can't bear to see you suffer like this. Will you marry me? I'll take care of you and the baby, I promise." He tied a piece of thread around her wrist, a makeshift engagement ring.

Mandy stared at him, shocked. But then, she nodded in agreement. She needed stability anyway, and Dwight was offering it.

The news of Mandy's engagement spread quickly, thanks to Bella, who made sure Ramsey heard it first. And Ramsey, well, he wasn't the type to take such news lightly.

But Bella had her reasons for wanting Ramsey's attention-and they were far from innocent.

Mandy's heart was heavy, but little did she know, the storm was just beginning to brew.

The next morning, she received an unexpected letter, wrapped in an envelope. She hesitated to open it...