Echoes of the Past

Chapter 21:

At the Office – Morning

The soft click of heels echoed down the hallway as Sunny approached Bella's cabin. Her expression was calm but alert, fingers curled around a notepad.

"Bella," she said, gently tapping the open door, "Chris asked for you. He said it's something important."

Bella looked up from her laptop, a slight crease forming between her brows. "Did he say what it's about?"

Sunny shook her head. "Just that it's urgent."

Moments later, Bella entered Chris's office, her steps composed, face unreadable.

"You called?" she asked curtly. "What do you want from me?"

Chris leaned back in his chair with an air of calm indifference. "You really don't believe in easing into conversations, do you?" He gestured to the seat opposite his desk. "Relax. It's not a war zone."

Bella crossed her arms, standing. "I'm listening."

Chris smiled faintly, the sharp edge of tension hiding beneath. "We've got a meeting today. Someone wants to invest in your brand. And with all the noise surrounding you lately… well, this could be a good chance to salvage its reputation."

Bella blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Someone wants to invest? Even after all that's happened?"

Chris nodded. "Some people see value where others see ruins. Be ready on time."

---

At the Restaurant

Bella glanced around the quiet restaurant. It wasn't one of those flashy business meeting spots — it was cozy, almost intimate. A place for conversations, not contracts.

"This meeting could've been held in our office," she said, arching an eyebrow.

Chris smirked. "Some people have their own ways of doing things. Besides, isn't it better this way? We get some time together… to know each other a little better."

Bella didn't respond immediately. Her eyes lingered on him, searching his face.

After a moment, she said, "Can I ask you something?"

Chris leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "You already did."

She ignored the remark. "What exactly happened between you and Jay? The way you two avoid each other — it's not just old grudges, is it?"

Chris's smile faded. His jaw tensed. "Didn't your husband ever tell you?"

Bella shook her head. "He never talks about it."

Chris exhaled slowly. "I'll just say this — your husband isn't the man he pretends to be. Not entirely."

Bella frowned, unease knotting in her stomach. She opened her mouth to question him, but their phones buzzed almost simultaneously.

The investor had canceled — some emergency, apparently.

They were just leaving when everything shattered.

---

On the Road – Moments Later

They were barely halfway back to the office when it happened.

A black SUV screeched in front of their car, and before Bella could react, masked men surrounded them.

"Stay down!" Chris barked, shoving her low behind the seat as one of the men lunged at the door.

But they weren't after Bella.

They were after him.

One of the attackers shouted, "Don't let him get away! If Jay's boss finds out we failed, we're as good as dead!

Bella's blood ran cold.

Jay's boss? What the hell was going on?

Chris fought them off as best he could — shielding Bella, taking a punch to the ribs. Blood stained the collar of his shirt, but he didn't stop.

Eventually, they managed to escape — bruised, bleeding, but alive.

---

At the Hospital

The white walls of the emergency ward blurred past as Bella helped the nurses wheel Chris in. Her hands trembled slightly, though she hid it well.

But as she passed another ward, she stopped short.

A nurse spoke softly to another beside her. "Car accident victim. Name's Chan. He's in critical but stable condition."

Bella's heart dropped.

"Chan?"

She rushed inside, and there he was — hooked up to machines, unconscious, pale.

Just then, the door to the ward opened again.

Jay entered — eyes scanning the room, then stopping at Chris lying on the stretcher.

The tension in the air snapped in an instant.

Chris stood up, despite the nurses urging him to stay down. Without a word, he stormed toward Jay — and punched him.

Hard.

Bella gasped. "Chris!"

Chris grabbed Jay by the collar, fury burning in his eyes. "How dare you? HOW DARE YOU?!"

Bella stepped in, trying to push him back. "Stop it! What are you doing?!"

Chris snapped, "Ask your dear husband what he did today!"

He turned to Jay, spitting every word like venom. "Your wife was with me. Did that not matter to you?!"

Bella's voice rose. "Stop talking in circles and say it clearly!"

Chris pointed a shaking finger at Jay. "He sent those men. The ones who attacked us. Ask him. He almost got me killed — and didn't care that you were with me!"

The room went silent. Even the hospital monitors seemed to hush.

Jay's expression darkened. He shoved Chris away. "That's enough. I've been silent long enough. Don't throw baseless accusations at me."

Chris sneered. "You forgot, didn't you? What you did back then. Who paid the price."

Jay stepped forward and hit back this time — a sharp, angry punch that sent Chris staggering.

"I was quiet because I didn't want to make things worse. But you're crossing the line."

Just then, a weak voice cut through the tension.

"Stop… both of you…"

Chan.

He was awake — just barely. His voice was hoarse, his eyes half-open. "Stop dragging the past… into the present."

Chris shook his head, still glaring. "Don't forget, Jay — whose life was ruined that night."