Bella Coraline had always believed she was born into a perfect life. Since birth, everything felt like a gift from the heavens—she had loving parents, a beautiful home, and a childhood filled with comfort. But life doesn’t promise perfection forever.

When she was just a little girl, everything changed. Her father met with a terrible accident. Her mother tried everything to save him—she sold her house, all her jewelry, and even moved into her father-in-law’s home. Despite her efforts, he didn’t survive. From that moment, her mother, Scouty, never married again. She chose to stay independent and focus on building a life for her daughter.

But that meant sacrifice. Scouty buried herself in work, starting a business in another country. Bella barely saw her. She grew up mostly alone, with no friends, no siblings, and no one to play with. Over time, loneliness hardened her. She became rude, short-tempered, and even enjoyed bullying others—maybe as a way to deal with the emptiness.The only person Bella ever truly loved was her mother. She kept that soft corner hidden behind a mask of coldness.

She lived alone in a large house with only a chef to prepare her food. Her room was always quiet, filled with dark-colored clothes and silence. But today was different.

---

*7:00 AM*

*Pip-pee-pip… pip-pee-pip…*

The alarm rang loudly.

*Bella* groaned and rolled over in bed.

“Ahhh, shut up…” she murmured in a sleepy tone.

The alarm kept buzzing. She finally sat up, rubbing her eyes, and slammed the button to stop it.

“Ugh… who set the alarm so early?” she grumbled, annoyed.

Then she remembered—*her mother was coming today. After 7 long years.*

Her eyes lit up. In a sudden rush of excitement, she jumped out of bed, rushed to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and took a shower. The chef had already made breakfast, which she quickly ate.

Today wasn’t like other days.

She walked to her wardrobe. For once, instead of black or grey, she picked a *soft pink dress*, the kind her mother always wanted her to wear. Standing in front of the mirror, she smiled at her reflection.

“I never thought if I wore a cute dress, I’d actually look pretty,” she said, tilting her head and touching herShe rarely felt this way—feminine, excited, and a little nervous. All this, for the only person who truly mattered to her.

---

*8:30 AM*

She checked the time.

“Only thirty minutes left… Mom is coming soon! Yesss!” she said joyfully, her heart beating faster.

She sat near the door, checking the clock every minute.

*8:55 AM… 8:58…*

Then—*Ting-tong!*

The doorbell rang sweetly.

Bella *rushed to the door*, her footsteps echoing in the hallway. She flung it open and threw her arms around her mother.

*Bella:* “Mamma! I missed you!!” she squealed cutely, squeezing her tight.

*Scouty (smiling warmly):* “I missed you too, my baby…”

*Bella (teasing):* “You’re too good at lying.”

*Scouty:* “I’m not. Truly.”

They both smiled. For a moment, time stood still. All the loneliness Bella carried melted in her mother’s hug.

*Scene: That Night*

After dinner, the house was silent. Scouty had gone to bed early, tired from her long flight. Bella sat alone in the living room, staring at her untouched tea.

Her mother was home, but something felt... off.

She was different—smiling too much, avoiding eye contact when Bella asked questions, and her phone kept buzzing with messages she never opened near her.

Bella’s thoughts raced.

*Bella (thinking):* *Why won’t she tell me what her business is about? Why does she always change the topic?*

Her eyes shifted toward Scouty’s room. The door was slightly open, a dim light flickering from within. Curiosity pulled her like a string.

She tiptoed closer.

From inside, she heard her mother’s voice—low and sharp, like she was on a call.

*Scouty (whispering):* “No, she doesn't know anything yet. I’ll handle it. Don’t call again unless it’s urgent.”

Bella froze.

Her heart pounded in her chest. *“She’s hiding something... from me.”*

she back off like nothing happened

In the shadows of her own home, Bella felt something she hadn’t felt in years—*fear... and betrayal.

*Scene: Midnight Secrets*

The house was silent. The only sound was the ticking of the old wall clock. Bella couldn't sleep. Her mind replayed her mother’s strange words on the phone.

*"She doesn't know anything yet..."*

She sat up, then quietly walked toward her mother’s room again. This time, she pressed her ear to the door.

Inside, Scouty's voice was low, firm, and cold.

*Scouty (on the phone):*

"Yes, I arrived safely... No, she suspects nothing. But I need more time. The shipment was delayed. If *he* finds out, we’re all dead."

Bella's breath caught in her throat.

Who was "he"?

What shipment?

What was her mother involved in?

She peeked through the door crack. Her mother stood by the window, dressed in all black, a small pistol tucked in the drawer beside her.

*Scouty:*

“I’m not just his assistant anymore. I’m the one keeping everything from falling apart… You tell Rafael that.”

Bella’s hands trembled.

*Rafael*—a name she’d heard before, whispered on news channels… connected to underground dealings, missing people, blood-stained wealth.

*Scene: The Weight of Truth*

Bella slowly backed away from the door, careful not to make a sound. Her pulse was racing, her mind spiraling.

*Rafael.*

*Shipment.*

*Pistol.*

This wasn’t just a lie.

It was a life her mother built *in blood and silence*.

She locked herself in her room, clutching her knees to her chest. The same woman who kissed her forehead, who told her bedtime stories, who called her “my angel”—was now the same woman hiding guns and whispering to criminals.

*Bella (whispers):* “Why didn’t you tell me, Mamma?”

The next morning, Scouty acted as if nothing happened—smiling, serving her tea, asking about her sleep.

Bella smiled back.

But inside, something had cracked.

She wasn’t sure who her mother was anymore.

And worse—she wasn’t sure *what that made her.*

Bella pulled back into the shadows, making sure no one saw her. She didn’t plan to confront her mother—*not yet.* She needed time to think, to decide what to do with what she now knew.

Back at home, she wrote it all down in a hidden journal. Names. Places. The red crest. Rafael.

But one name was missing—the man standing silently behind her mother during that meeting. He hadn’t spoken. Just observed. Sharp jawline, ink on his hands, and eyes that scanned the room like a predator.

Bella had never seen him before.

But she felt something the moment she did.

Not fear. Not yet.

*Curiosity.*

The next night, Bella returned to the warehouse.

She needed to know more—not just about her mother, but about *him*—the man who stood behind her like a shadow.

She found her spot again, hidden in darkness, watching through a cracked window.

Inside, her mother and Rafael were speaking in hushed tones. Men moved crates, whispered orders. But this time, the silent man was alone—leaning against a pillar, smoke curling from a cigarette between his fingers.

Tall. Sharp features. A faint scar near his eyebrow. Eyes cold but calculating, always scanning.

Suddenly, his head turned.

Right at her.

*Bella froze.*

For a heartbeat, their eyes met through the glass.

He didn’t move.

He just stared—expression unreadable. Curious? Angry? Amused?

Then, slowly, he smiled.

Not kindly. Not cruelly. But knowingly.

**He had seen her.

And he wasn’t surprised.**

Bella stumbled back, heart pounding.

Who was he?

Why did he smile like he already knew her?

She didn’t know it yet, but that man…

was about to change everything.

*Scene: The Smile That Follows*

Bella ran back to her car, heart thudding against her ribs.

*He saw me… and he didn’t alert anyone.*

That smile haunted her. It wasn’t threatening. It was worse—*inviting.* Like he was waiting for her to come back.

The next day, she tried to focus. Scouty was home, acting like nothing had happened. Bella watched her move, talk, smile. Everything felt like a performance now.

But her mind kept drifting…

*To him.*

That night, Bella didn’t return to the warehouse. But from her window, she saw a black motorcycle parked across the street.

No movement.

No driver.

Just… waiting.

And somehow, she *knew*—it was him.

He wasn’t hiding.

He wanted her to know he was there.

The motorcycle was gone by morning.

Bella stood at the window longer than usual, staring at the spot where it had been. The street was quiet, but her chest wasn’t.

Later that evening, her curiosity got the better of her. She went outside, trying to convince herself it was just a coincidence. Just some biker. Just… nothing.

But near the gate, she found something.

A black *leather glove*, clean, expensive, intentional.

Inside, folded neatly, was a note written in bold, slanted handwriting:

*“You should be more careful where you hide.”*

— No name. Just a faint trace of cologne.

Bella’s fingers curled around the glove.

He knew.

He saw her.

He let her go.

And now, he was playing a game.

She didn’t know his name. But she knew what kind of man he was—the kind who doesn’t ask permission to enter your life. He just does.

And worst of all…

*He wasn’t afraid of her mother.*

That night, Bella didn’t sleep again.

She wasn’t scared.

She was intrigued.