Chapter 54: No More Feeling Inferior

Lia was right. Bella felt inferior to Felix. How could she not?

That alone was tempting enough for Bella. But it wouldn't be fair to jump into a relationship without fully moving on from her past, would it? She felt like she was stagnating. She could mask her past with another relationship, but she thought it unfair to start something new with Felix, even though he'd expressed his feelings. Knowing her indecision, Lia was set on bringing Felix and Bella together, persistently persuading her until bedtime.

Bella felt her thoughts becoming increasingly jumbled, and she couldn't take it anymore.

Lia, fed up with Bella's indecision, issued an ultimatum. "Bella, you're the one who said you wanted to be in a relationship. As your best friend, I'm here to support you, and I brought him here for you. You should choose someone who loves you, rather than someone you love. No matter how much you love Dominic…"

Her words hit a nerve. Bella began to remember that Dominic would never marry her. She'd left him and come to Holta specifically to end things, hadn't she?

The next morning, Bella awoke to find Lia packing her bags.

"What are you doing? I thought you were going to stay for a few more days?" Bella asked.

Lia was still adamant. "I can't see you because you're getting on my nerves!"

Bella, at a loss, said, "Come on, you'll help me. I need to take things slow. Since Felix is here, I promise I'll make an effort to get along with him and get to know him, okay?"

Lia's demeanor softened, seeing Bella's willingness to compromise. "This is how you should have acted from the start. Don't die young; it's totally your fault!"

Bella hurriedly covered her mouth. "What are you going on about this early in the morning? Alright, I'm going to freshen up; I have to work later. I'll treat you to lunch, and you…"

Lia brushed her hand away and huffed, "Why am I the one inviting him? You do it."

Fearing another outburst, Bella agreed. "Alright, alright. I'll have him call me."

"Get to the hospital. Hurry up and brush your teeth. Felix brought you breakfast."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Lia went to answer it and soon returned with breakfast. Without another word, Bella went to the bathroom. Felix's kindness and thoughtfulness stirred a feeling in her heart she couldn't quite articulate. It was something she hadn't felt in a long time. When she arrived at the hospital, she texted Felix to invite him out for lunch and thank him for the breakfast. Throughout their interactions, he never pressured her for an answer; he was giving her the time she needed to think.

Lia and Felix headed back to Joville that afternoon, both with work commitments that wouldn't allow for a long stay. Bella took the afternoon off to see them off at the airport.

Boarding the plane, Felix abruptly hoped, "I hope to hear your answer the next time I come." Bella didn't refuse or respond; she simply nodded.

The airport was quite far from Bella's place, so it was already dark when she arrived home. After walking in and switching on the lights, she noticed Dominic sitting on the couch. She changed her shoes and called out, "When did you get here?"

Dominic looked at her coldly. "I arrived at the airport at 8:20 pm."

Her body froze as she realized she had been at the airport seeing Lia and Felix off at that time.