Too late - I

Bella's head snapped towards the book before her eyes went to the departing back of her mother. Alexis had just left the room making Bella fall into a wind whirl of panic and chaotic emotions. 

Her head turned to her father, "Are you—" she shook her head when she did not see him twitch even lightly. 

She huffed and got up to follow her out. By the time Bella rosa had exited the dining room, her mother had already reached the top of the stairs making her daughter hurry up and run towards her. 

"Mama?' Bella Rosa called out when she was ten steps away from her. "Mama?" rosa called out again and she quickened her steps. "Please stop," 

To her surprise, Alexis actually stopped. 

She did not turn around nor did she speak anything. 

The atmosphere suddenly turned a little unnerving and overwhelming that Bella Rosa could not even think of speaking a word.