Chapter 2 The Unspoken Question

The next few days passed in a blur. Bella kept her head down and worked hard. Her new office was just down the hall from Jason's, and she stayed busy with the redesign project. Work became her escape. Every blueprint, every color sample, every detail she worked on helped her focus and forget how close Jason always seemed to be.

Jason didn't keep his distance. In fact, he made sure she was around him often. They had meeting after meeting, sometimes working late into the night. He studied her work with sharp eyes, asking questions that cut deep. It didn't feel like he was only judging her work it felt like he was trying to figure her out too.

Sometimes, she would glance up and catch him watching her. Not just a normal glance. A long look. Like he was searching for something. His expression would quickly shift back to cold and unreadable. But for a second, she always saw something there curiosity, maybe... or something else. Maybe something that used to be love.

Bella stayed calm on the outside. Always professional. She talked about measurements and space planning. Never anything personal. She never smiled unless she had to. She never laughed. She never let him see the pain.

To him, she was just Bella Quinn, the architect. Not Isabella Reed, the woman he used to hold in his arms.

But secrets never stay quiet forever.

One afternoon, they were in his office, looking at some complicated designs. Bella was focused, leaning over the table, when a sudden laugh echoed from the hallway.

A child's laugh.

It was light and full of happiness. Bella froze.

Then came a small, excited voice.

"Mommy!"

Bella's heart stopped.

She turned, fast. And there she was Lila standing in the doorway, holding her coloring book and a bunch of crayons in her tiny hands. A security guard stood behind her, looking nervous and unsure. Lila's eyes sparkled as she smiled proudly.

Jason stood up slowly, confused by the interruption.

His eyes landed on the little girl.

Then he stopped moving.

He looked at her really looked at her. Lila's bright blue eyes, her curly hair, the way she stood so confidently it was like staring into a mirror from years ago.

He turned to Bella. His face changed. Confusion turned into something darker. Anger. Shock. Betrayal.

He looked back at Lila. Then back at Bella. And again at the child.

His voice was low and rough. "Who... who is this, Bella?"

Bella felt her throat tighten. Her hands shook slightly. She tried to keep calm, but her voice was quiet, like a whisper.

"She's... she's my daughter, Jason."

She didn't say anything else. She couldn't. Her secret was out. And the look in his eyes said he already knew the truth.

He looked at Lila again. Then at Bella's face. Then, as if remembering, at the curve of her body from five years ago when she had disappeared from his life without warning.

It all made sense now.

His jaw tightened. His hands clenched at his sides. His eyes were filled with something fierce. Anger, hurt, disbelief.

The silence in the room felt heavy.