Marry Me, Miss Villainess - Chapter 73：LEARN TO LOVE AGAIN

“You’re still here?”, Yago asked when he turned around and saw his brother standing behind him. He just finished his conversation with Roy Vander on the phone and so he picked up his jacket from the nearby boxing ring and turned to leave.

“Who was it?”,Vier asked. “What did he say?”. He thought of leaving earlier, but when he saw his brother’s solemn expression, he became more curious about the caller.

“It’s nothing. You should go back to have a rest. It’s very late now.” Yago walked out of the room to avoid his twin’s questions but Vier followed him and continued pestering him. He held his forehead in annoyance and walked faster but Vier wouldn’t give up.

“Why can’t you tell me? You’re always like that.”

Yago halted his steps in the middle of the dark corridor. He sighed and mumbled, “Vander’s unico hijo. He asked me to spare his father in exchange of Rian’s safety.”

Vier’s eyes widened. “And you agreed?”,he exclaimed.

“Whether I agree or not is my own business. I won’t answer any of your questions anymore. I’m too tired to argue with you.” He roared and then strolled away.

Vier was left speechless. The old geezer’s son called to make that kind of deal? It looks like it’s true that Rojo is at the verge of collapsing! But was that b*stard telling the truth? Does he really keep Arianna in his hand? He’s the next successor of Rojo. He can’t be trusted!

***

Belle watched as Roy ended the call and threw the phone on the bed next to her. She has been quiet the whole time Roy was having a conversation with Yago on the phone, but she was very curious about what they were discussing about.

“You said you have Arianna…. but… is that true?” she asked as she watch Roy lie down beside her.

Roy laughed and then shook his head. “Of course not.” he answered.

“You lied to them to save your father?” Belle asked with raised brows. She thought she didn’t care about his father… but, well… what’s there to be surprise about? Mr. Vander is his only family. Of course he wouldn’t want him to suffer in jail.

“What’s going on in that little head of yours!”, Roy said, pointing a finger at her forehead. “You’re overthinking. I’m not saving him. I just want to be the one to punish him.” he explained as he looked away and stared at the ceiling.

“Oh, sure.” Belle answered sarcastically with a smile. But Roy’s expression remained serious as he locked his eyes on the white ceiling.

“That man… he killed my mother.” Roy stated. The smile on Belle’s face vanished as she watch his solemn expression. Roy’s father killed his mother? Is it true? “That man, he was married to a woman who couldn’t get pregnant. Wanting so much to have an heir, he abducted my mother and held her captive for a year. He didn’t stop violating my mother until she got pregnant. After a few months, my mother found a chance to escape. She fled to a remote village where no one can recognize her. There, she gave birth to me and raised me up as a single parent. But we were only able to hide from my father for seven years. During my seventh birthday, several men from Rojo came to take me away. My mother wouldn’t let go of me so…. they killed her.”

It was the darkest time of his life. If he could, he wouldn’t want to remember it. When he fell in love with Belle, he wanted to take her away and lock her up, but the image of his poor mother stopped him from doing so. What his mother suffered, he didn’t want his beloved woman to go through; the pain, the humiliation, the torture. But maybe it has something to do with his genes. One day, he decided that he can’t watch Belle make a fool out of herself anymore. Chasing after Jayden Bates will only destroy her further. He has watched enough. Seeing how everyone mock Belle in social media after the wedding scandal made him snap. He can’t take it anymore, and so he took her by force. Yes, it was not the best approach, but he didn’t regret it either. He just wanted to see her happy. If only Jayden continued to cherish her, maybe he would have been satisfied with just looking at her from a distance. But not anymore. He was convinced that he was the most qualified person to stand beside her.

Belle inched closer to Roy and rested her head on his chest. Although she wasn’t head over heels in love with him, her heart still ached for the man. She herself had a painful childhood. Jane wasn’t the best among mothers. She was cold and cruel even to her: her only daughter. Back then, Jane didn’t care if she’s on top of her class or the rarest beauty in her school. None of her achievements mattered. Nothing can make Jane feel proud of Belle other than seeing her fawn on Carl Reid well enough to win his favor. It was very hard to please her. She remembered the satisfied look on her mother when she accomplished leading Arianna outside to visit the nearby park. When she came back to tell Jane how a group of men took Arianna way, her mother laughed like a mad woman, hugged her and told her how proud she was to have a capable daughter. It was a rare moment for Belle to experience being doted on by her mother. Although she felt that something was wrong, her heart still felt warm with her praises.

“I wonder who my father is.” Belle mumbled.

“Definitely not Carl Reid.” Roy stated as he wrap an arm around her. Belle looked at him with questioning eyes, but didn’t say anything. “I asked my men to work on this issue before we left. The DNA test result was out. Arianna wasn’t lying about Carl. He really wasn’t your biological father.” he explained.

Belle looked away. So it’s true? Then who is her father? Did her biological father left her mom after getting her pregnant? Is that why Jane clung to Carl Reid desperately, even destroying his engagement with Dianna Evans back then? So it was her? It was Belle who stole Arianna’s father? She and her mother stole the family Arianna should have had from the very start. Why did things have to turn out like that?

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of everything for you. I already hired someone to investigate about your mother’s past. We’ll find your father in no time.” Roy assured her. “All you have to do is stay with me and enjoy life.” he then leaned closer and kissed her forehead.

Belle looked at his face for a while and then shook her head. “I really don’t understand your taste in women.” she jested.

“Well, aren’t we the same?” he answered with a chuckle. “Such a handsome and rich man like me, only a stupid woman like you would refuse me. But I still like you even though you’re dumb. I can give you anything you want, as long as you stay with me. ”

Belle lowered her head. Roy would give her anything? In exchange for what? Her body? Like a mistress? Would she be happy to live a life like this? He likes her now, but for how long will he dote on her? He would soon get tired of her, right? He was just obssessed with her before because he couldn’t have her, but now???

Belle didn’t dare to look at Roy, afraid that she might have offended him by mentioning love in front of him, but Roy didn’t look bothered. He caressed Belle’s hair with his fingers before pulling her into a tight embrace.

“Then learn to love again. I’ll treat you like a queen from now on.”

Belle heard Roy’s words but his feelings didn’t reach her. She likes the warmth of his hugs but she felt empty inside. Her mind wanders somewhere else. She was thinking of what she wanted to do once all of this is over. How she’s going to live her life alone. How she’s going to start her life anew.