Crushed Affections

Bella remained silent for a while before speaking, "As long as you don't expose me, we'll take it one step at a time. I'll go to the hospital tomorrow to resign and find a place near you to move to."

Lia wasn't comfortable with the idea of a pregnant Bella looking for a place on her own. "I'll help you find a place. It'd be best if it's in my apartment building so that I can check on you whenever. You should focus on resting now since you're so skinny and carrying a baby.

This little one hasn't been born yet, but he's already had serious bad luck..."

When Bella returned to her apartment that evening, she ran into Wesley dragging a suitcase downstairs. For the first time, he didn't greet her and instead brushed past her with an indifferent expression.

She wondered if he was moving out. She was puzzled as to why he was acting like a child.

But she didn't dwell on it too long. After all, Wesley was just a passerby in her life, and she would soon split ways with him. She had never had any thoughts toward him, so it was for the best.

After resigning, Bella stayed home to rest and focus on her pregnancy. She bought books on prenatal care, determined to become a good mother. At the very least, she wanted her child to know she was a good mother.

Soon, Lia helped her secure a place. Since she planned to hire a helper, she rented a two-bedroom apartment in Lia's apartment building.

Lia chose a day to help Bella with her relocation, and after settling into the new home, the two of them collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.

Bella grabbed Lia's sweaty hand and said, "Lia, I'm so lucky to have met you."

Lia chuckled. "Same here. Our friendship is for life. I'm even taking a risk by keeping your pregnancy hidden. If Dominic discovers we're deceiving him, he'd probably want to skin me alive."

Bella wasn't concerned about this

matter. "He wouldn't dare. If I don't acknowledge that the baby is his, he has no reason to do anything

drastic. Even if I did admit it honet

wouldn't dare to harm you. After all, the baby is in my belly, and

he

wouldn't want to risk anything."

is

Lia burst out laughing and leaned in to check Bella's tummy. "I can't wait to discover whether this little one a boy or a girl, and whether they resemble you or Dominic. Regardless, they'll be good-looking for sure."

f.n el.

Bella shared the same excitement. The guilt and sorrow she carried over losing her first child finally found relief with the arrival of her second.

That night, Lia slept at Bella's house, and the helper they hired was scheduled to come the following day.

The following day, Bella was awakened by Lia's rushing about. She lay in bed and mindlessly scrolled through her phone until she found a story that interested her. It was about the Morse family.

She clicked on it, and the big headline read, "Victor Morse publicly acknowledges his son after many years."

As she scrolled down, she saw a photo of Victor and his son doing a media interview. The man standing next to Victor was none other than Wesley.

Bella was briefly shocked. She finally

understood that Wesley was Sean Morse. It was no surprise that he once claimed that his family background was equally powerful as Dominic's. If he was Victor's son, it

was no exaggeration.

She was pleased that nothing romantic had ever happened between them. If something had happened, it would've caused trouble for Dominic. Given how close Dominic and Victor were now, to have been involved with his son... Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. Now that Sean had returned to his family, there was a good chance he'd accompany Victor in meetings with Dominic. She wondered if her pregnancy would be exposed if they met.