The Weight of Broken Promises

Bella came downstairs and froze. Ada was setting the table like she owned the place.

After a whole night of working her charms on Steven, Ada was no longer in her maid uniform. She'd traded it for a sleek designer dress that clung to her.

Her face carried just enough of a resemblance to Bella's to make the comparison sting. No wonder Steven picked her.

"Mrs. Rocca, you're up. Come have breakfast," Ada said, smiling too sweetly.

She tilted her head, just enough to show off the love bites along her neck. On her wrist, a glittering bracelet caught the light.

Bella's chest tightened. She knew that piece instantly. The Rocca heirloom Miranda used to wear. Steven had once begged for it on Bella's behalf, but Miranda refused, saying it didn't belong on a woman who couldn't give the family an heir.

Now it sat proudly on Ada's wrist.

Bella clenched her fists, the weight of it all crashing down. Everything she'd held onto felt like a joke. She'd kept quiet out of respect for their families' history, but in the end, Miranda had chosen Ada as the one to stand at her side.

Even Steven's buddy at the hospital yesterday knew about Ada. The only idiot in the dark was her, strung along by Steven's empty promises.

A bitter laugh slipped out. If Steven had really wanted a kid, she could've accepted that and walked away. But after what happened in the study last night, her chest still burned. She almost wished she could just slap him across the face.

Almost—but not quite enough. She wanted him to regret it forever.

Steven strolled downstairs, looking fresh, like he'd slept easy. When his eyes caught Ada's, she ducked her head, all shy.

Then he turned and saw Bella's pale face. His smile faltered. "Babe, did you catch a cold in the rain yesterday? Maybe I should skip work and stay with you."

Every second near him made her feel suffocated, dirty.

"No," she said flatly. "Work's more important. I'll rest at home."

Steven frowned. She used to cling to him; now she was shutting him out. But he knew when she made up her mind, there was no swaying her.

He looked at the staff. "Take good care of Bella."

They traded glances, unimpressed by his little show, and nodded.

Just then, Ada stepped up and reached for Steven's collar. "Your collar's crooked. Let me fix it."

Without even thinking, he bent his head for her.

That tiny, thoughtless move cut deeper than anything else.

The staff sucked in a quiet gasp, eyes darting to Bella, afraid to even breathe.

Steven caught himself too late. He jerked back, forced a polite distance, and muttered thanks.

"I'm off to the office." He bent down to brush a kiss against Bella's forehead. "Be good. Wait for me to come back."

His voice was the same soft tone he'd used in the study last night.