Chapter 3 Julius's Pov

It's been three long years since Bella's disappearance. I searched for her everywhere. I didn't want to believe that she disappeared just like that.

I despised her for the longest period. I loved Athena. Athena made me feel wonderful, she loved me for myself, and most importantly she was submissive and emotional. She praised me to the highs for the littlest of things. Bella, on the other hand, was always indifferent, she would cause problems all the time. And was very selfish. But for some reason, I had never felt lonelier since Bella left.

I snapped out of my thoughts-I had a meeting with my business rival. Jesse Hart. He had wealth, power, and connections to the underground alliance, one of the most powerful alliances across the country. He had tried to snatch some of my business deals. But now, he suddenly reached out to me to collaborate. I wondered what he was trying to do now.

I stepped into the meeting room, my eyes wandering as I observed my surroundings-until they landed on her. My heart stopped.

I hadn't seen her in three years, hadn't heard anything about her, yet for some reason she was right in front of me wearing a formal jumpsuit that highlighted her curves. Her beautiful red hair was now much longer than before. She used to always wear clothes that didn't fit her quite well-all because I told her I loved my women well-covered. But now, she had an unrestrained aura, so different from the timid girl I had once known.

I stepped forward, calling to her. "Bella, what are you doing here?"

She didn't flinch. Instead, she met my gaze with a distant, polite smile that cut deeper than any glare.

"Mr. Stone," she said evenly, her voice devoid of the warmth I once knew. "You're just in time."

My chest tightened as I tried to comprehend what I was seeing. She had always hated addressing me too formally-she would call me 'hubby' no matter how many times I told her to stop. How was she even here in the first place?

"Ah, Julius," Jesse's voice broke the tension as he stood, placing a casual but protective hand on Bella's shoulder. "I see you've noticed my fiancée."

The word hit me like a punch to the gut.

"Fiance?" I went back, hardly keeping my voice steady.

"Yes," Jesse replied smoothly. "Bella has been my partner in business for years. It's only natural that our relationship would deepen."

Bella didn't look at me, didn't acknowledge my presence beyond that initial greeting. She picked up a folder, flipping it open as though I was nothing to her.

"Shall we get started? We have a lot to discuss."

I wanted to respond, to demand answers, but the meeting had already begun before I could find the words.

The discussion around the table flowed, but I barely heard a word. My mind raced-a storm of questions and memories. How was she here? Where has she been all these while?

"Mr. Julius?" my secretary whispered, nudging me gently. "Are you alright?"

I blinked, forcing myself to focus.

"Yes, let's continue," I muttered, though my voice betrayed me.

Across the table, Athena's gaze burned into me. She had sensed the change in my composed exterior. Her discomfort was clear as I saw her eyes move between Bella and me.

The meeting ended, and I didn't waste another second. As everyone dispersed, I marched toward Bella, emotions boiling over-anger, frustration, pain, and fear.

But before I could say anything, Jesse stepped in again, his hand still on her shoulder.

"I trust everything is clear, Julius?" he said smoothly. "We'll leave now-Bella gets tired easily. I'm looking forward to our next meeting to finalize the collaboration."

I stood there, speechless, as they walked away together.

My mind kept on spinning. I left the room trying to catch up to them. I needed to talk to Bella, no matter what.

Athena caught up to me, she tried to grab my arm.

"Julius!" she snapped. "We need to talk."

"Not now, Athena," I said sharply, trying to push past her.

She stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "No, we're doing this now. How is she alive? Why is she here?"

I clenched my jaw, trying to control my frustration. "I have no idea."

Athena's voice rose, anger and desperation mingling. "No idea? Don't insult me, Julius. Bella just shows up out of the blue, and you act so lost and confused during the meeting when all you should feel is anger. Don't forget-she killed your child!"

I froze, her words were like a slap across the face.

"I haven't forgotten," I said, trying to calm down.

Athena's eyes flashed with anger . "Then don't act like you don't remember! She pushed me down those stairs-deliberately. I lost our baby because of her!"

Memories found their way to the surface-the shouting, the fall, the blood.

"Don't forget what she did," Athena continued, her voice trembling now. "Our child would still be alive if it weren't for her!"

I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to block out her words, trying to think clearly.

Athena's voice softened, turning almost pleading. "Don't let her manipulate you again. She's always been this way. I just knew she wasn't dead because, tell me, how did they not find the body no matter what?"

I couldn't listen anymore. Without another word, I pushed past her, headed to my office instead, and slammed the door, locking it behind me. My chest heaved as I sank into my chair, my head in my hands.

Bella.

What happened to you all these years? How did you just appear as my business rival's fiancée? And why now?

After Athena left, her words kept replaying in my mind. I knew I had to stay focused and not let emotions affect my decisions. I picked up my phone and called my head of security.

"I want a full report on Jesse Hart," I said coldly. "Dig into his finances, his connections-everything. And find out how Bella became his fiancée. I don't care how long it takes-just get it done."

"Yes, sir," came the quick response, and the call ended.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. Nothing was adding up. Just what happened all those years?

My bodyguard quickly called back.

"Sir, someone's blocking the information on Jesse Hart intentionally. But we found something strange."

"What is that?" I asked.

"Jesse Hart has been charged with first-degree murder before. But he was later found innocent due to lack of evidence."

"Who did he kill?"

"His sister."

I stiffened.

"What's even stranger is that there's no record of him ever having a sister-nor of his parents. It's almost as if he came out of nowhere."

I gritted my teeth. "Investigate more. Ask for help from the underground if you must-I must find out everything."

My grip on the phone tightened.

Bella must be mine again.