Crushed Affections

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Bella only brevilled a sigh of relict once Mere was whirled into the operating room. Then, she realized her hands and dress were stained with blood.

Herre had decuted his kidney a few days ago and was still recovering, so she couldn't tell the

uld be alright..

Because of the ocident, the party had in berut short, and both the Sawyer family and Dominde ruslied to the houpal.

Daniel's eyes polstrid me as he stared at the operating room light, unsure if it was from anger of contem for his eldest son. Dime gently patted his chest. "Don't worry. He'll be

"who was behind this I'm going to make him pay!" Daniel snarledProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Dime shot her second son, Xavier Sawyer, look, and he dragged Leonardaway. Noticing Bellacored in blood,

walked up to her and took her cold hand

"Thank you for everything today," she said. "If you hadn't been there, Merre would we... Why don't you zo borne with Don, clean up, and change your clothes?' host another party to properly thank you both another time!

Her gratitude was heartfelt and sincere Diane was truly a dedicated stepmother.

Bellssighed. "Don't mention it, Malam Sawyer, I've already briced the doctors here about Perers recent surgery, so they'll be extracariul. I'll be going now. Let me know if you nerdanything!!

Blane nodded and watched as Bella and Dominle got into the car before heading back inside. When everything quieted down, Bella dell exhausted. It was a natural maction after being some for awhile.

She looked at the bloodstains on her clothes, then at Dominic, whin surprisingly dich

Out of the blue, she remembered how he had instinctively protected her when Herre was stint. She felt her heart skipa beat as she recalled his quick and forceful reviction. she forced herself to push down the growing feelings in huy heart, reminding herself that she echtu't had simply acted like a gralleman Just then, her phone rang, boraking the silence in the car. Bella jaded out her phone and checked the caller -11 was Fells.

Feeling a line guilty, she glanced at Duminic before answering therall by the window "da?"

Felix called to check in att that nigh's inellent " Plecne okayhi

"We don't know yet, but I think he'll be fine. It's been one hellot a night. You shoul!!

trylicate as well, she responded

He paused for a moment before asking, "Are you okay? I noted Domlik was shielding you...so I didn't po over!"

When she glanced at Dominle apdu, she noticed that he was also looking at her. Bella lauriedly sad goodbye to Fell and hung up the phone, feeling inexplically nermus, Shortly after she hung up, she reached a message. She assumed it was from Felix and didn't dare to re wasn't

was alone in ite bathroom that she finally checked her phone. To her surprise, it was Simon who had tested her.

Bella only realized Simon had been at the party. Prolaps he was too afraid that others would know about their relationship, so he didn't dare to greet her.

Aside from asking her if she was okay, Simon abo prolsed her for staying calm under pressure, though it all seemed like emply flattery to hella. She read the message and decided toke it.

She was just about to take a shower when Simon sent her another message. Ir you and Dominic at the pool. It looks like you two are more than just siblings."