In this chapter, Bella finds herself in a devastatingly unexpected situation when Scott Moore, the man she had pretended to be married to, appears at a family gathering. The moment Scott enters, Bella is engulfed by panic, fearing the exposure of her secret\u2014a fake marriage that her family had fiercely protected. As the room erupts in gasps and whispers, Bella\u2019s humiliation deepens, especially when her grandmother joyfully greets Scott, oblivious to the chaos brewing. The atmosphere shifts dramatically as guests recognize Scott as a prominent CEO, and the facade of Bella\u2019s fabricated marriage begins to unravel, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.<\/p>\n
As the scandal unfolds, Bella\u2019s friends, Maya and Craig, react with shock and disbelief, unable to comprehend the truth behind Bella\u2019s deception. Craig\u2019s mockery and disdain for Bella\u2019s situation intensify her feelings of shame and regret. The whispers around the room grow louder, questioning the legitimacy of her marriage and her character. Bella\u2019s emotional turmoil is palpable as she grapples with the consequences of her lies, not only for herself but also for Scott, whose reputation is now at stake. The pressure mounts as she wishes for the ground to swallow her whole, overwhelmed by the weight of her secrets being laid bare.<\/p>\n
In a moment of desperation, Bella tries to escape the situation, but Scott\u2019s protective grip halts her. As Craig continues to taunt her, Scott\u2019s anger simmers beneath the surface, creating a tense confrontation. Craig\u2019s relentless insults only deepen Bella\u2019s humiliation, while Scott\u2019s presence offers a flicker of unexpected support. The tension escalates as Maya attempts to manipulate the narrative, portraying herself as the victim and Bella as the villain. However, Scott\u2019s laughter at Maya\u2019s theatrics reveals his awareness of the truth, and he defends Bella, asserting that she is not to blame for the chaos.<\/p>\n
The chapter culminates in a surprising turn of events as Scott\u2019s protective stance towards Bella becomes evident. His whispered declaration that \u201cno one touches what\u2019s mine\u201d sends shockwaves through the gathering, transforming the dynamics in the room. Bella is left stunned by his unexpected defense, questioning his motives and the nature of their connection. The chapter closes with an air of anticipation, as the onlookers react to Scott\u2019s defense, leaving Bella to ponder the implications of his words and the uncertain path ahead.<\/p>\n
**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**<\/p>\n
Bella<\/p>\n
No. No, no, no. This was the absolute last scenario I had ever envisioned for myself. The mere thought of Scott being anywhere near me sent a wave of panic crashing over my senses. I feared that in just a heartbeat, my carefully constructed facade, my pride, would crumble into dust under the weight of his gaze. I stood there, frozen, my eyes ensnared by his dark, penetrating ones. The look on his face morphed into something fierce, almost murderous. A wave of humiliation washed over me, igniting my cheeks with a fiery blush. He knew. He knew the secret that my family had guarded so fiercely.<\/p>\n
A ripple of gasps cascaded through the room, echoing like a tremor. Conversations abruptly halted, and heads turned, eyes widening in shock and curiosity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did Isla say? Her husband?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cScott Moore? That Scott Moore?\u201d<\/p>\n
Even through the frantic pounding of my heart, I could hear every whispered comment, each one piercing through my already frayed nerves. My grandmother, who had been the first to squeal in delight at Scott\u2019s arrival, glided toward him with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with joy. \u201cI\u2019m so thrilled you could make it, dear,\u201d she said, affectionately patting his arm. \u201cBut it would have been even more delightful if you had come in holding Bella\u2019s hand. Why did you both arrive separately?\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott offered a polite smile, his voice smooth as he murmured an apology. But inside, I felt as though my knees were ready to buckle beneath me. Scott Moore, the man I had pretended to be married to, was now exposed to the entire social circle.<\/p>\n
As the shockwaves reverberated throughout the venue, phones were raised, and cameras flashed like lightning strikes. Those who recognized Scott as the formidable CEO of Phoenix Malls, the very man I had claimed as my husband, stared at us as if we were the latest scandal splashed across a tabloid cover.<\/p>\n
Whispers erupted like wildfire:<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s married to him? When did they tie the knot?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long has this been going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir marriage was a secret?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre they heading for a divorce?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t she say anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a pathetic, arrogant witch!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe must have made his life a living hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s tarnished her family\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n
My palms turned icy, and my breath grew shallow. My secret wasn\u2019t merely revealed; it had been thrust into the spotlight, exposed for all to see.<\/p>\n
Maya\u2019s reaction was almost laughable. Her jaw dropped, her eyes bulging as if she had just been jolted by an electric shock.<\/p>\n
Craig stood frozen beside her, the color draining from his face. They couldn\u2019t fathom that all this time they had been in my company, blissfully unaware of the truth about my marriage. A fake marriage. The worst possible moment for such a deception to come to light. The repercussions for Scott would be catastrophic. I could hardly bear to think about how this would impact his business. I wished fervently for the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Every shred of humiliation, every pang of regret, every deceit\u2014it was all laid bare.<\/p>\n
\u201cScott\u2026 Moore\u2026\u201d Maya repeated in a hushed, trembling whisper, her disbelief palpable.<\/p>\n
Tears that had been hovering on the edge of my lashes finally spilled over, cascading down my cheeks. Cameras zoomed in on my shattered state, capturing my despair as if it were entertainment. Of course, it dawned on me then that the press hadn\u2019t just stumbled in; they had been invited, specifically hired to witness my downfall. Maya had orchestrated this entire charade to ruin me.<\/p>\n
Choking on my emotions, I attempted to slip past Scott, yearning for nothing more than to vanish from sight, but before I could, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist with an iron hold. In a swift motion, he pulled me close, wrapping his muscular arm around my shoulders and pressing me against his chest. My hands instinctively clutched his arm, seeking both comfort and escape.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me go. Please,\u201d I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n
His jaw tightened, but he held firm. \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n
Craig stepped forward, his bravado returning now that the initial shock had worn off. \u201cMr. Moore!\u201d he exclaimed, a disingenuous cheerfulness lacing his tone. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful that you could join us. We\u2019ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival!\u201d His eyes flicked between me and the protective grip Scott had around me, his jaw tightening in response. \u201cWe apologize for the unexpected family drama you\u2019ve stepped into.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott let out a low growl, the sound reverberating with barely contained anger. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you inform me that Bella was invited as well?\u201d<\/p>\n
Craig shook his head, feigning innocence. \u201cWe had to include her; she\u2019s family. But I did try to warn you about her earlier. Wherever she goes, chaos follows. I had no idea she was married to you. Look at this mess! Now she\u2019s divorcing you too! You were the most sought-after bachelor in the society, and she\u2019s managed to ruin you as well. You should have listened to me,\u201d he said, his voice dripping with mock concern. \u201cShe\u2019s the most dreadful woman alive. Her own family turned their backs on her due to her obstinacy and arrogance.\u201d<\/p>\n
My heart thundered in my chest, and I fought the urge to claw at his face for the vile lies spilling from his mouth. But I was more concerned about my father\u2019s well-being. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d I urged Scott, desperation creeping into my voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe must have manipulated you into marrying her, right?\u201d Craig continued, relentless. \u201cDo you even know her background? Just look at her. She can barely keep her life in order.\u201d He sighed dramatically, his gaze landing on Maya with adoration. \u201cMaya is superior to her in every conceivable way. I couldn\u2019t help but be drawn to her. Anyone would.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maya sniffled delicately, playing the role of the wounded angel.<\/p>\n
Craig shrugged dismissively. \u201cIf I were you, I\u2019d file for divorce from Bella this instant. You deserve someone who doesn\u2019t bring ruin wherever she goes. She even caused her father to have a heart attack. That\u2019s how toxic she is.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hall fell into a stunned silence. I inhaled a shaky breath, shame flooding through me. Why had I returned? Why had I trusted anyone, even for a moment?<\/p>\n
Scott\u2019s expression darkened, and I could feel a shift in the atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing silently around us. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word, Maya rushed forward, clutching his sleeve like a damsel in distress.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Moore, I\u2019m so sorry you had to witness this drama, but please understand,\u201d she said, her voice soft and pleading. \u201cBella twists everything. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. I tried to support her, but she pushed me away. I never expected her to act like this.\u201d Her voice trembled as she dabbed at her eyes, striving to appear fragile and innocent. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have given her that unique opportunity at Phoenix Mall. She will use you and then discard you like yesterday\u2019s trash.\u201d<\/p>\n
And in that moment, it clicked\u2014I realized she wanted Scott to see this.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2026 she even pushed me into the pool,\u201d Maya cried, her voice rising theatrically, ensuring every camera captured her distress. \u201cI was trying to mend our relationship, and she attacked me because Craig still loves me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott stared at her for a long, incredulous moment before he erupted into laughter\u2014a dangerous, icy laugh that sent shivers down my spine. \u201cIf by \u2018ruining you\u2019 you mean you threw yourself into the pool like a child throwing a tantrum,\u201d he drawled, \u201cthen yes. She ruined you perfectly.\u201d With a fierce glare, he shoved her hand away from his sleeve, his patience clearly wearing thin.<\/p>\n
Maya\u2019s complexion turned ghostly white as she stumbled backward, caught off guard.<\/p>\n
Scott tilted his head slightly, his expression one of disdain. \u201cYou might want to remember\u2014if you\u2019re going to stage a fall, don\u2019t do it right as I\u2019m entering, with a full view of your little performance.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was trapped. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.<\/p>\n
I blinked up at Scott, utterly stunned. He had seen through her act? Why was he defending me? Shouldn\u2019t he be repulsed by my presence?<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one touches what\u2019s mine,\u201d he whispered in my ear, and my breath hitched, my heart momentarily forgetting how to beat. To the onlookers, it appeared as though a powerful husband was shielding his wounded wife.<\/p>\n
Craig must have sensed the shift in the atmosphere, for his bravado crumbled into panic. Maya looked as if she might be sick. Grandmother Isla wore a knowing smile, as if she had anticipated this all along, while my father and Lucy stood in shocked silence. But what happened next was even more astonishing.<\/p>\n
In that charged moment, as Scott\u2019s fierce declaration echoed in my ears, I felt a flicker of hope ignite amidst the chaos. The weight of the world, which had pressed down on my shoulders like a heavy shroud, began to lift, revealing a glimmer of possibility. Scott\u2019s unexpected defense shattered the narrative that had been spun around me, transforming my humiliation into a shared experience rather than a solitary downfall. The whispers and gasps of the crowd faded into a dull roar, and for the first time, I felt seen\u2014not as the girl who had manipulated her way into a false marriage, but as someone deserving of protection and understanding. Scott\u2019s presence, once a source of dread, now radiated a warmth that enveloped me, reminding me that perhaps I was not as alone in this as I had feared.<\/p>\n
As the dust settled, I realized that this confrontation was not merely about the secrets I had kept, but about the strength that could arise from vulnerability. With Scott standing resolutely by my side, I began to recognize the power of truth\u2014both in its ability to shatter illusions and in its potential to forge connections. Together, we faced the scrutiny of the crowd, united against the tide of judgment and betrayal that had threatened to drown us. In that moment, I understood that even amidst the wreckage of my carefully constructed life, there was a chance for redemption, for rebuilding not just my reputation, but also the fragile threads of trust and love that had been so easily frayed. The midnight winds that once carried secrets now whispered of new beginnings, inviting me to step forward into a world yet unknown, hand in hand with the man who had unexpectedly become my ally.<\/p>\n
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Bella grapples with the repercussions of her exposed secret and the mounting pressure from both her family and social circle. With Scott having taken a bold stand against Maya\u2019s manipulation, the dynamics of their relationship are poised for a dramatic shift. Will Bella find solace in Scott\u2019s unexpected support, or will the weight of her past mistakes pull her further into despair? As the whispers and accusations swirl around them, the stakes will rise, testing their fragile alliance and forcing Bella to confront not only her family\u2019s expectations but also the truth about her feelings for Scott.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the fallout from the event will likely unravel deeper secrets, revealing hidden agendas and long-buried resentments. The chapter promises to delve into the complexities of Bella\u2019s family dynamics, particularly her relationship with her grandmother and the choices that led her to this moment of crisis. As tensions flare and alliances shift, readers will be left questioning who can truly be trusted in Bella\u2019s tumultuous world. Will she rise from the ashes of her humiliation, or will she succumb to the very chaos she tried to escape? Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions and revelations that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover what lies ahead.<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown 49 When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown 49 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-new-world-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23014\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}