Chapter 29: We’re Good?
The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains, painting faint gold across the walls. Bella sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the streaks of light.
She hadn’t slept much — tossing and turning, her mind replaying last night’s confrontation like a broken record. Every time she thought of Chloe’s guilty expression, her stomach tightened.
Perhaps, she had overreacted? But how could Chloe had connived with a stranger to lie to her? Wasn’t dealing with Jake enough hassle to add the fear of her friend hiding things from her? What else could she be hiding?
A soft knock came at the door. Bella didn’t answer, but the hinges creaked anyway, and Chloe stepped inside. She was already dressed in a simple blouse and skirt, her locs flowing, though her face carried the kind of weariness that had nothing to do with sleep.
Seeing her face, Bella could tell she was here to talk about what had happened the night before.
Her chest tightened as she looked away, not wanting Chloe to see the flicker of guilt in her eyes.
"Bella," Chloe said quietly, closing the door behind her. "Can we talk?"
Bella lifted her gaze, tension coiled tight in her shoulders. "What is it?" she asked even though she knew exactly what it was.
Chloe hesitated, then crossed the room and sat gingerly on the edge of the chair near the dresser. "About yesterday. I just... I want to tell you I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it from you. I thought I was doing the right thing by respecting his request, but I realize I should have been honest with you. I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. I can’t bare to have you angry."
The apology hung in the air, heavy but sincere. Bella pressed her lips together, guilt pricking her chest. She had been angry last night, furious even, but in the silence of her sleepless hours, she had also replayed her own words.
She’d gone too far. Maybe it was because she hadn’t been able to vent on Raymond for lying and had instead taken it out on Chloe. She owed Chloe an apology, too. She thought and then sighed softly.
"I probably overreacted. I’m sorry for the words I said."
Chloe’s brows lifted in surprise. "You? Overreact? That’s a first," she teased gently, the corner of her mouth tugging into a hopeful smile.
Despite herself, Bella let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "Don’t push your luck."
Relief washed over Chloe’s features, softening her eyes. "So... we’re good now? I really can’t bare to not be on good terms with you."
Bella gave a small nod. "We’re good."
Chloe let out a breath she’d clearly been holding. "Thank you."
"Stop acting like we’re dating, please...."
"We might not be dating but you’re stuck with me forever. Best friends don’t fight too long," she cut in, and then winked at Bella, making her laugh.
A beat passed before she added, "Rachel wanted to talk to you yesterday. Something important. But... well, with everything that happened, she couldn’t. I guess it’s my fault."
Bella frowned. "It’s fine. Do you know what is it about?" she asked, looking at Chloe seriously now.
Chloe shook her head. "It’s not mine to say, Bella. She’ll tell you herself."
Bella nodded slowly. "Fine. Where is she?"
"Bathing Timothy," Chloe replied with a small smile. "You should go see them. He’s been asking for you since he woke up."
Bella’s heart softened instantly. "It’s high time I went to enroll him in school," she murmured, more to herself than to Chloe.
Chloe nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but that’s something you’ll need to prepare for. The fees, the supplies... it’s quite a lot."
"I know." Bella’s voice was low, almost heavy with the weight of unspoken worries.
Chloe reached out and squeezed her hand briefly before standing. "I should let you get ready for work before we end up running late."
Bella gave her a grateful nod, watching as Chloe slipped out of the room. The door clicked softly shut, leaving Bella alone for a heartbeat.
She sighed, glad that she and Chloe had resolved the issue. Her mind flickered to Raymond and the thought of seeing him today.
What should she say to him?
She’d think about it later. Now, she has to go to Rachel and find out what she has wanted to discuss.
Then she rose, her bare feet brushing against the cool floor as she padded down the hall to Rachel’s room.
The sound of Timothy’s laughter drifted through the crack in the door. Bella pushed it open gently.
Inside, steam clung faintly to the air from the small adjoining bathroom. Rachel was toweling Timothy’s hair, his face lit up in the kind of smile that made Bella’s chest ache with love. His little feet dangled off the edge of the bed, kicking playfully as he squirmed under his aunt’s care.
"Mommy!" Timothy’s voice rang out the second he spotted her, pure delight bursting across his face.
Bella’s lips curved into a soft smile as she crossed the room. "Good morning, my pumpkin."
He jumped off the bed, racing toward her with damp hair and still in his towel. She caught him easily, wrapping her arms around him as he clung to her neck. His small warmth against her chest eased some of the heaviness that had lingered since the night before.
Rachel stood watching, her expression unreadable but gentle. Bella met her eyes briefly, and though no words passed between them yet, the weight of the conversation waiting between them hung quietly in the space.
For a moment, Bella briefly wondered what it was her sister wanted to talk about that was making her that nervous.
Bella returned her attention to Timothy as she kissed his temple, inhaling the faint scent of baby soap, and for a fleeting moment, the world outside this room ceased to exist. It was just her and Timothy, the boy who had become her reason to breathe.
"You’re getting heavy, champ," she teased, bouncing him slightly on her hip.