Previously:
"As the car hummed quietly down the road, Bella stared out the window, her thoughts racing. Alice remained silent beside her, the weight of her presence in the car almost suffocating. Why was she here? After all this time, after everything that had happened, why was she suddenly back? Bella's mind churned with unanswered questions, but before she could voice a single one, Alice broke the silence. 'I never should have left, Bella,' she murmured, her voice low and filled with something Bella couldn't quite place. Bella's heart skipped a beat."
When Alice said that, Bella began to realize something hard for her to accept. No matter how much she tried to hate Alice, there was still a special place in her heart reserved for her. However, despite her conflicting feelings, Bella chose to remain silent throughout the ride home.
The atmosphere between them was awkward. Yet, beneath the awkwardness, there was an undeniable longing, a comfort that they once shared. Every time Bella glanced at Alice, there was a warm feeling that emerged, making her want to let all those feelings flow freely.
They arrived at Bella's house, and Alice stared at the house for a moment before saying casually, "This place really suits you, huh? That's probably why you never thought of moving."
Bella took a deep breath, not wanting to continue the conversation any further. "Thanks for the ride. You should leave now, it's late," she replied, trying to remain calm despite the storm inside her heart.
Alice fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll leave now," she said, her tone hard to read.
Bella opened the car door to leave, but before she could step out, Alice grabbed her wrist, pulling her back toward her. Their eyes met in a tense silence.
Alice leaned closer to Bella's ear and whispered softly, "I really missed you… I hope you'll take me back. I'll explain everything, I promise."
Bella stayed silent. No words came out. She just felt an emptiness hitting her.
Alice finally released her, and Bella stepped out of the car without saying a word. She walked toward her front door, trying to calm her confused mind.
That night, Bella drowned in her thoughts.
In the bathtub, she submerged her body in warm water, trying to relax. However, her mind kept spiraling, unable to calm the doubts and questions filling her head.
"She should have been married by now… Why is she back? What does she really want?"
Bella felt confused about her own feelings.
"Why didn't I just reject her? Why didn't I speak up, make things clear? She left me just like that… I'm so stupid."
In the midst of her confusion, she didn't realize she had been soaking for too long. Suddenly, for the second time, Ellie found herself in an awkward, unexpected situation.
Ellie stood at the bathroom door, looking at Bella, whose half-naked body was soaked in warm water. There was a heavy silence in the air, making both of them unsure of what to do.
The next morning, Ellie was the one to care for Bella's hand, which had been injured by the knife.
Flashback Ends – Back to Present
Back to when Bella and Ellie were sitting together earlier, Ellie's question about the woman with Bella last night still lingered in her mind. Not long after, Ellie stood up, ready to leave.
"I need to step out for a bit. You should rest," Ellie said, but her tone sounded hurried.
Bella watched Ellie leave quickly. She didn't know why Ellie was in such a rush.
After Ellie left, Bella stared at her bandaged hand. How could I be so stupid to get hurt like this?
But what bothered her more wasn't the injury—it was Ellie.
"Why does she care so much about me? We've only just met."
Bella sighed deeply. The feelings she couldn't understand kept resurfacing.
"She's really stupid. She cares so much about me. She didn't even notice her clothes were stained with my blood… So stupid."
Bella felt a mix of frustration and, strangely enough, care for Ellie.
"She said she's free today, but why did she suddenly leave?" Bella wondered quietly, feeling annoyed but also confused by the feelings overwhelming her.
"It's funny, what do I care about her now?" That was what Bella thought at that moment.
But what was Ellie up to?
"Alright, your total is $80. Cash or credit card?" said the supermarket clerk.
"Card, please," Ellie replied.
She grabbed her shopping bags and put them in her car.
"I can't believe how quickly today passed. I already bought some supplies to redecorate the restaurant next week, but thinking about Bella with her injured hand made me come to the supermarket to prepare dinner for her," Ellie said, feeling both worried and tired. It was as if she was racing against time today with all her errands, hoping to get back home before it got too late, so she could make dinner for Bella.
Ellie finally arrived home, and it seemed that Bella was still in her room and hadn't come out.
"Looks like she's still resting… okay, let's make a nice dinner today," Ellie said cheerfully.
Cooking had always come naturally to Ellie, thanks to her parents' teachings. It was something she enjoyed, especially since she planned to take over her father's restaurant soon. It didn't take long for Ellie to prepare dinner. She made Japanese chicken curry for herself and Bella, set the table, and arranged the drinks.
"Hmmm, is she not hungry? Why hasn't she come out yet?" Ellie wondered, growing curious.
She walked to Bella's room. "Bel, are you in there? I've prepared dinner for us," Ellie called from outside the room.
But Bella didn't answer or respond. Ellie knocked gently on the door.
Knock knock "Bel, are you in there?" Ellie said with slight concern.
She turned the door handle and found that it wasn't locked. When she stepped inside, she saw Bella lying on her bed, asleep, but looking unwell. It seemed Bella had a fever.
Ellie, now more worried than ever, walked up to Bella's side and touched her forehead to check her temperature. "Oh no, it looks like she has a fever," Ellie whispered.
"Bel, are you okay?" Ellie asked softly, her concern growing.
"Don't worry about me," Bella mumbled weakly, unknowingly speaking in her sleep. "Cold…" Bella muttered.
"What? You're cold?" Ellie responded, a bit confused. Concerned, she grabbed a blanket from the couch and gently covered Bella with it.
"Why did this happen to you? Always causing others to worry," Ellie said softly, her voice full of care.
"I guess I stayed in the bath too long yesterday…" Bella mumbled weakly.
"Why did you come back?" Bella's voice was weak, and now she seemed to be in a feverish daze, almost mistaking Ellie for Alice. But Ellie, not knowing who Alice was, was confused by Bella's words.
"Why did I come back? This is my place too, of course, I had to come home," Ellie said, still confused but trying to make light of the situation.
"Cold, please hold me," Bella whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ellie, feeling uncertain and unsure of what to do, quickly took a blanket from her room and wrapped it around Bella. She sat beside her, whispering, "Are you still cold?"
"Please don't leave me again… stay with me," Bella murmured softly, her voice tinged with sadness.
Ellie, confused by Bella's words and unsure of how to respond, found that just being there for Bella seemed to comfort her.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," Ellie reassured her.
Ellie gently stroked Bella's head, continuing to soothe her. She sat on the floor beside the bed, quietly comforting Bella until she fell asleep. The proximity between them was undeniable. As Ellie gazed at Bella's face, she noticed things she hadn't before – like the small mole under Bella's eye. She reached up to touch it, smiling softly.
"I've never noticed… you have a mole here," Ellie said, her lips curving into a faint smile. Bella was so beautiful, and Ellie found herself captivated by her. Without realizing it, Ellie became lost in the moment, her heart beating faster than usual.
Suddenly, Bella grasped Ellie's hand, the one still resting on her face. She held it tightly, her fingers trembling yet firm. Then, in a whisper so soft Ellie barely caught it, she murmured, "I miss you too."
Ellie blinked.
Her heart skipped a beat—not because of the words themselves, but because of the way Bella said them.
Who is she talking to?
Ellie wasn't sure, but there was something about Bella's expression—the way her brows furrowed slightly, as if she was lost in a dream, as if she was talking to someone far away.
A strange feeling settled in Ellie's chest.
She's not talking to me, is she?
Ellie let out a quiet sigh. "You're really out of it, huh? You don't even realize who's here." She smiled slightly, shaking her head. "I can't wait to see your reaction when you wake up and remember all of this."
She could already imagine Bella's horrified expression.
Still, Ellie tried to gently pull her hand away, intending to grab a cold compress for Bella's fever—but Bella tightened her grip.
Ellie's breath hitched.
"Oh? You won't let me go?" she teased, though her voice came out softer than she intended.
Bella stirred again, her fever making her voice weak and barely audible. "Stay with me tonight… please."
Ellie froze.
The words weren't forceful. They weren't commanding. They were fragile. A quiet, desperate plea.
Ellie clenched her jaw, trying to ignore the strange warmth in her chest.
This isn't about me.
Whoever Bella thought she was talking to… it wasn't Ellie.
Ellie inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "You're saying some weird things tonight."
Even so, she managed to carefully free her hand and stood up. Bella whimpered slightly at the loss of warmth, but Ellie ignored the strange tug in her chest and walked over to fetch a damp cloth. She gently placed it on Bella's forehead, watching as her breathing slowly steadied.
"Alright, you should be fine now."
She turned to leave, but—
"Please… don't go."
Ellie's steps halted.
Bella's voice was barely above a whisper, but something about it made Ellie's chest tighten.
She turned back, watching Bella's barely open eyes—fevered, unfocused. Searching for someone.
Ellie had no idea who Bella was seeing in that moment.
And for some reason, that realization unsettled her.
She exhaled softly. "You really are saying some crazy things tonight," she murmured before finally leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
She walked back to the dining table, where the untouched dinner she had prepared sat, now cold and unappetizing.
She let out a tired sigh. "Well… I guess this was a waste."
Even so, she couldn't bring herself to throw it away just yet.
Later that night, Ellie stared at the ceiling, her mind still preoccupied with what had just happened.
Bella, who was usually cold and reserved, seemed so fragile tonight. Her words, her grip, her facial expressions—none of it was meant for Ellie.
She sighed, a soft exhale. "Who is she really thinking about?"
For the first time, Ellie found herself wanting to know more about Bella.