CHAPTER 429: CHAPTER 429 ALAN PLAN

Alan’s mind kept replaying Alexa’s soft, trembling voice from that afternoon. She had touched her stomach gently. Her eyes had been a little glossy, her tone almost guilty, and that was what made her words stick so deeply inside him.

"Bella is innocent... she’s a sweet woman," Alexa had said, stroking her tummy slowly. "I know I hurt her in the past. I know what I did was awful. But Alan... as your friend, I want to tell you something honestly."

He had looked at her quietly, unsure where she was going.

She sighed. "Leo was always emotionless. Cold. He doesn’t know how to love. You saw it too, didn’t you? I loved him for years... desperately, pathetically. And he never once acknowledged it." Her voice broke a little, and she wiped the corner of her eye. "You know how painful that was, Alan. You know how it feels when your feelings mean nothing to the person you love."

Alan’s heart tightened when he remembered her expressions, regretful, tired, almost gentle.

"And Bella... she didn’t deserve the life she entered," Alexa whispered. "Leo will never be able to love her like she deserves. I am not saying this to break them. I am saying this because you are my friend... and I can see it clearly now."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice.

"You care for her, Alan. I saw it that day at the beach house... when I bullied her. You looked at her like she was something fragile. I ignored it then, but now... I understand. You love her, don’t you?"

Alan had felt his throat tighten.

Alexa’s hand rested on his arm. Her eyes softened, her voice gentle. "The pain of unreturned love... only I truly know it. And I don’t want you to go through what I went through. If you love her... tell her. Bella is kind. She is soft-hearted. She hates hurting anyone. And honestly... I don’t think Leo loves her as much as you do. Try, Alan. Before it is too late."

Those words had stuck to him like glue, comforting him, justifying him, convincing him.

Now he took a deep breath, feeling all of that hope and desperation mix inside his chest again.

Bella had gone to the women’s washroom. Leo stood some distance away, which made him anxious. Why was Leo being protective of her?

Alan clenched his jaw.

He just needed a moment.

A small moment.

Just some time alone with her.

But Leo was not letting her out of his sight for more than a minute.

He had to act fast.

His heartbeat quickened as he spotted a young waitress passing by with a tray. He reached out, stopping her gently, and leaned in close so only she could hear.

He whispered something very quietly. A simple instruction, a small request. Something that would help him get Bella alone.

The waitress blinked, startled. He slid a sleek black card into her palm.

Her eyes widened immediately. She smiled, nodding quickly. "Of course, sir," she whispered back, her voice bright with excitement.

Alan released a slow breath.

This was his chance.

He had to take her away from Leo just long enough to confess. Just long enough for Bella to hear his heart. Just long enough to change everything.

Alan felt hope ignite inside him like a dangerous spark.

Meanwhile, Leo waited near the corridor that led to the women’s washroom, standing with his hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the door Bella had gone through. He kept a little distance so she would not feel crowded, but he was close enough to see her the moment she stepped out.

Then suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck stood up.

He did not know why.

A strange feeling, something off, something wrong, brushed through his chest.

Before he could make sense of it, a cold splash hit him.

A full glass of juice poured down the front of his tuxedo, dripping over his shirt, staining the fabric. Leo’s eyes widened in disbelief and then narrowed sharply as he turned toward the culprit.

"Are you blind?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

The waitress stood nearby trembling, her hands shaking as she bowed repeatedly. "I am sorry, sir. My ankle twisted, I swear. Let me help you clean it"

"No need." Leo stepped away instantly, unwilling to let her get any closer. Something did not feel right.

His jaw tightened.

His instincts screamed that something was wrong.

But the sticky juice on his skin was uncomfortable, and the stain was ruining the tuxedo Bella chose with so much excitement. He did not want her to see him like this.

She just went in... she will take time, he told himself.

He turned toward the men’s washroom, his strides sharp and irritated, planning to wash off the juice and return before Bella came out.

But Bella came out only minutes after he left.

She pushed open the door with a small smile, humming softly, smoothing the front of her gown as she looked around the quiet hallway.

"Leo?" she called, her brows knitting as she scanned the area. "Where did he go..."

She walked a little further into the corridor, expecting to see him leaning against a wall somewhere close by. He never wandered far. He was always right there, watching her, waiting for her.

This was strange.

"Leo?" she called again, taking another step.

A hand shot out of nowhere.

Before Bella even realized what happened, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and yanked her backward into an empty, darkened side room.

Her gasp turned into a scream.

"Leo."

But the door slammed shut behind her, cutting off her voice from the hallway.

A palm covered her mouth.

Her back hit the door with a soft thud, her breath catching painfully in her throat.

Her eyes filled instantly with tears, her heart pounding so fast she felt dizzy. She tried to shake her head, tried to scream again, but the hand tightened over her lips.

Then the stranger’s face came into view.

Not a stranger.

Her heart crashed into her ribs.

"Alan..." she whispered the moment he lowered his hand, her voice shaking.

His eyes burned with something she did not understand, desperation, something unhinged, something dangerously hopeful.

"Bella," he whispered, voice low and trembling, "I finally got you alone."

Bella’s whole body went cold.