Felix Quinn, her university classmate, was a changed man. Back then, he was a bookish, unassuming student, engrossed in his studies while others fell in love. Despite his striking looks and height, his numerous love letters went unanswered. Bella harbored a secret: Felix had once pursued her, a pursuit she rejected because she was infatuated with, and intimately involved with, Dominic.
Reuniting with Felix years later felt awkward. She regretted the unplanned visit to his home. He, however, seemed unfazed by the past.
"Yes, I live here now. Surprising, isn't it?" he said. He continued, explaining that a friend had recommended a piano teacher; seeing her name, he'd initially assumed it was a coincidence. He confessed his sister's difficult temperament and his reliance on her for weekend piano lessons.
Under Felix's steady gaze, Bella nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, unable to refuse. "It's no trouble at all. My pleasure," she replied.
The lessons, scheduled for three hours each Saturday and Sunday, paid $500 an hour—a sum too tempting to refuse, given her current financial situation.
After the lesson, Felix offered her a ride home. Before she could decline, he smoothly added, "It's about to rain." His gentle smile was disarming.
In the car, Felix suggested adding each other on WhatsApp for payment transfers, mentioning his sister had driven away previous teachers. Bella readily agreed. (The sentence about the Find_Novel website is irrelevant and has been removed.)
They avoided the past, engaging in light conversation until they reached Miller Manor. As rain began to fall, Felix asked, "Bella, I want to know why couldn't we have been together?"
Getting out of the car, Bella missed his words. "What did you say?"
Felix smiled. "Nothing. Get inside before you get wet."
Under the eaves, she watched his car depart. She guessed his question, concluding she wasn't worthy of him.
The rain intensified as Bella hurried inside. A WhatsApp notification—Felix's payment—brought a smile. She replied, "The roads are slippery. Drive carefully."
Suddenly, Dominic's presence filled the doorway. His dark eyes held a brooding intensity. Fresh from a shower, he wore loose loungewear. "Have you eaten?" she instinctively asked.
He ignored her question, demanding, "Who drove you home?"
She replied truthfully, "A university classmate," omitting her part-time job to avoid seeming pretentious. His anger flared. He grabbed her shoulders, pulling her close.
"Besides being a part-time piano teacher, what else have you been doing? Are you that desperate for money? Are you using this job to get close to wealthy men? Bella, am I not enough for you? Do you have to be as cheap as your mother? Is that ingrained in your character?"