The dining table felt far too large for just two people.
Bella noticed it as soon as she sat beside Nathan, the polished surface stretching endlessly in either direction, reflecting the soft gold of the morning sun. Everything about the room was immaculate — too immaculate — like nothing messy or human was ever allowed to linger here for long.
Nathan stood at the head table waiting for her to sit.
"Sit."
The word wasn't harsh, but it wasn't gentle either.
Bella complied, smoothing her dress as she sat. The chair felt too large, too solid beneath her, as though even the furniture demanded strength from its occupants.
Butler Lee stood quietly near the doorway, hands folded behind his back. Two maids approached almost soundlessly, placing plates before them,soft scrambled eggs, lightly toasted bread, a bowl of fresh fruit. Mrs. Janet followed, pouring tea with careful grace.
Bella caught the woman's glance brief, sympathetic,before she looked away.
The bruise on Bella's forehead was hidden beneath makeup, but not well enough to escape notice.
Nathan noticed.He always did.
"Eat," he said calmly, taking his seat.
Bella picked up her fork, though her stomach felt tight and hollow. She took a small bite, chewing slowly, as if forcing herself to remain grounded in the moment.
Nathan ate with measured movements, posture relaxed but alert. He wasn't watching her openly, but his attention kept drifting—toward the way her shoulders remained tense, the way she barely touched her food.
It unsettled him.
"How's your face?" he asked at last.
Bella paused. "It's nothing."
Nathan set his fork down deliberately.
"That's not an answer."
She inhaled quietly. "It hurts less than it should."
Something dark flickered across his expression, gone as quickly as it appeared.
"You shouldn't have gone back there alone," he said.
"I needed to," Bella replied. "If I didn't face it, it would've followed me forever."
Nathan studied her more closely now. "You don't act on impulse."
Bella looked at him, surprised. "You speak like you know me."
"I observe," he said. "Patterns. Behavior."
She gave a faint, humorless smile. "Then you know I don't know how to walk away soon enough."
Before she could say more, Nathan stood. The subtle movement was enough, Butler Lee immediately ushered the remaining staff out. The doors closed with a soft click, sealing them in privacy.
The room felt quieter after that.
"You're vulnerable right now," Nathan said, turning to face her fully. "Your family has turned against you. Claire will escalate. The media will feed on whatever she gives them."
Bella's fingers curled around her teacup. "I'm used to being targeted."
"That doesn't make it acceptable."
She didn't argue.
"I can stop it," Nathan continued. "All of it."
Bella looked up. "And the price?"
Nathan didn't answer immediately. He moved closer, resting one hand on the back of his chair. His deep eyes penetrating into hers.
"A contract marriage."
The words settled between them like a carefully placed weapon.
Bella stared at him confused and surprised. "You're serious."
"Yes."
Her heart clenched. "You're proposing marriage like it's a negotiation."
"It is."
She stood, moving toward the window as if she needed air. "Marriage isn't just an arrangement."
"For many people, it is."
She turned back sharply. "And for you?"
Nathan held her gaze. "It's a solution."
Bella swallowed hard.
"And affection?" she asked quietly.
"There will be none."
The words were delivered without hesitation.
"No expectations," Nathan continued. "No emotional obligations. This would be strictly contractual."
Something inside Bella broke—not loudly, not dramatically, but deeply.
She had known.
Still, hearing it said so plainly hurt more than she'd expected.
She looked away quickly, blinking once, steadying herself. Her fingers curled at her sides, nails biting into her palms.
She didn't cry.
She wouldn't give him that.
'No! Bella don't you dare cry right now!' .she thought to herself.
"So I'd just be playing a role," she said softly.
"Yes."
Her chest tightened painfully. She had fallen for him—quietly, foolishly, somewhere between his rare moments of protection and the way he stood up for her when no one else did.The first man she ever felt something for didn't even give her a chance.
'Why must it be him Bella?'.
And now she knew exactly where she stood.
"And after the contract ends?" she finally asked.
" one year," Nathan replied. "You walk away."
Free.
The word echoed hollowly in her mind.
"And if I wanted more?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
Nathan frowned slightly. Not expecting her to ask that."That wouldn't be wise Bella."
Something dimmed in her eyes. 'So he didn't even see me as someone worth giving the chance to'.
"I see."
He didn't notice the shift—the way her warmth withdrew, the way something fragile folded inward.
"You have until tonight," he said. "The lawyers will draft the agreement."
Bella nodded. "I'll consider it."
"Good."
She returned to her seat and finished a few bites she couldn't taste.
Nathan resumed eating, unaware of the quiet ache settling in his chest.
This was control. Strategy.
Not the way her silence bothered him.
Not the strange urge to explain himself.
And certainly not the dangerous thought that for the first time in years, his carefully drawn lines might already be blurring.
Feeling frustrated as to why he's feeling this way, he stood up intending to leave. Bella also stood up and followed him out of the dining area.
" Think about it and give me your answer tonight. You can stay here for the meantime. Ask Mrs Janet for anything you want. She's the oldest maid In the house, I am going to the office." Nathan said and turned to leave the house.
Bella stood there watching him leave. Knowing that her world changed the moment she encountered Nathan Fisher the night Claire almost sabotaged her and now there's no going back.
"Ma'am. Do you want anything?". Mrs Janet suddenly asked bringing Bella out of her thoughts.
"Oh no. Thank you " Bella replied smiling softly. Turning to Butler Lee "Uncle Lee, I'll be leaving first". She said and left the Willow mansion. Both Butler Lee and Mrs Janet sighed watching her leave the house knowing she was obviously sad.