Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Annabelle's POV

The next morning, I woke up late at 8:30 am. I had never awoken so late in my entire life! I had the best sleep of my life amidst such a loving family. This was something I could get used to every day. I stretched lazily, with a smile on my face. I turned to find that Stefan had already woken up. He wasn't in the en-suite too so I quickly called Beth to look after Arielle and went to my bedroom for a shower.

Refreshed, I booked myself a flight at 12 noon to Chicago and decided to go down and talk to Stefan. I just hoped that he would willingly let me go.

I had noted a change in Stefan ever since that phone call but with Mr. Campbell's call, my mind went into overdrive. I had too much on my mind. I had no idea about dad's second family. He might have loved them more than he ever loved me. A strange restlessness filled my heart and I started having second thoughts about going to Chicago.

I would also have to find out what was disturbing Stefan. I just dreaded that it wasn't anything serious. Who wanted more complications in life? I would explain to Arielle about my departure after informing Stefan. I sighed and changed out of my pajamas, putting on a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt and walked out of my room.

I went down to see Tristan sitting alone and sipping coffee while typing busily at his laptop. What was he doing here so early in the morning? Did Stefan summon him for work-related stuff? I noted the way he looked, tense, serious, frowning at his laptop. I had never seen Tristan this way before. He looked up as I entered, with a grave expression on his face. Something was wrong, I had that feeling of dread again that I had felt last night. Was Stefan hiding something serious from me? What could it be? My body shuddered at the thought of more complications in my life.

"Good morning," I said, getting my coffee and sitting with him.

"Hey Bella, how have you been?" He asked putting his laptop aside with the same grave expression which was so unlike Tristan. I noted the change in my nickname as he addressed me. There was no trace of his signature teasing grin.

"I've been good, Tris. What are you doing here so early? Where's Stefan?" I asked, looking around. Tristan looked uncomfortable at the mention of Stefan which made me all the more suspicious that surely something was up.

"He's in the study. There was an emergency, so bro called me," He said, without divulging any more details with that same grave expression on his face. It felt odd seeing Tristan so serious. His playful nature was gone, he looked tense and nervous.

I suddenly remembered Mr. Campbell's phone call. I didn't have time to sit and ponder. I had to talk to Stefan as soon as possible. Quickly finishing the coffee, I got up to go to the kitchen. Rinsing my cup, I decided to go to Stefan's study and talk to him.

As I was about to knock on his study when Tristan git up with a horrified expression on his face. "Annabelle don't," he said in a panic-stricken tone but it was too late.

I had already opened the door and was about to enter when I heard a nasal female voice say, "Oh Stefan, I missed you so much." My heart sank with dread. Was it what I had always dreaded? Did my worst nightmare come true?

I peeped inside to check to whom the voice belonged. I froze and my eyes widened to see Claudia, Stefan's ex-wife locked in an embrace with Stefan. Stefan's back was towards me so he wasn't aware of my presence in the room. I gripped the door handle with shock as I stared at them with disbelief. My whole world crashed around me, shattering my stupid heart. The most dreadful thing had come true. Stefan's past was back and it had destroyed everything that I held dear.

Claudia was back. I was hurt that Stefan did not inform me of anything. No wonder he never promised anything permanent with me. Who was I to him? A fake mom to his daughter? A mere girlfriend to fulfill his desires with? He had never confessed his undying love for me! Maybe, he didn't love me at all. I struggled to hold back my tears.

Maybe now he would get back with her and raise Arielle together as a family. In a daze, I closed the door and ran towards the staircase. I ran up to my room as fast as my legs could carry me. Tristan kept calling me, but I did not listen. My heart was breaking and I needed to get away from it all.

The same question kept on arising in my mind. Who was I to Stefan? He never said he loved me. He never made any promises of being with me forever. He only wanted me, desired me, that was all. A few tears fell from my eyes. I wiped them away. I didn't cry when my Pops died. I didn't cry when my father died. I didn't cry when I found out about my father's second family. So, I didn't want to cry now, but my foolish heart didn't listen. It had been broken for the second time by the same man. Yet I never seem to learn my lesson.

I packed some clothes and essentials in a suitcase, my ID proofs and whatever I needed. Picking up my handbag and mobile phone, I left for the airport. No one was around when I went downstairs although I heard Tristan's voice coming from the study. I quietly left with a heavy heart. I didn't want to talk to anyone, so I switched off my phone.

I sat numbly at the airport thinking about my waste of a life. After my father's betrayal and Stefan's, I didn't want to live anymore. I couldn't wait to face Stefan. I wouldn't have been able to hear him ask me to leave. It was best that I went away on my own.