Chapter 9

A week has gone by since the incident with Cillian. He hadn't returned home since then, but Bellatrix did come across him at the office—always in tailored suits, eyes cold, voice businesslike—but he never glanced her way beyond necessity. The distance between them had solidified into something almost professional, the usual way he treated her, like she didn't exit. But surprisingly, Bellatrix didn’t feel the usual hurt that wrapped itself around her heart. She felt peace. At home, the house, although quiet and lonely, gave her the type of peace and solace she never found when she was in Cillian's suffocating presence. It was a quiet, solemn kind of serenity. One that Bellatrix could easily see herself getting used to for the next 3 months of her life, after the divorce. That weekend, after work, she met Avery and Claire, another friend of hers, at the bar where Claire worked. It was mid-afternoon, and the place was still asleep from its nightly riot. Wooden stools stood like sentries, and soft music lingered from hidden speakers. Claire, who stood behind the counter, handed over two mocktails and one orange juice with a smirk. “Day drinking without guilt.” She said. Bellatrix and Avery took their drinks and raised a glass to their friend. As they took a sip, Claire spoke. "It's been so long since we've had a chance to chat like this," She said, looking over at Bellatrix who was peacefully sipping on her juice. "You've been so busy as of late, Bell." "Yeah, I've been trying to sort things out with my father's company." Said woman answered. "And how's that going?" Avery asked and Bellatrix's mind drifted back to what had happened a few days after Cillian had left. She had received a call from her father, and he told her that Cillian had finally funded their company with a huge amount. As she recalled the joy in her father's voice, her heart felt light, but at the same time, she felt confused. If Cillian was going to fund her father's company, then had there been any need for what he did? Thinking back to the way his lips had claimed hers made Bellatrix frown. It had been full of hunger and possession. Even now, a week later, her lips still recalled the feeling of his against hers. Fighting back a frown that threatened to break out across her face, Bellatrix flashed her friends a forced smile as she answered. “It's been resolved, I handled it.” she told them. Avery exhaled heavily. “Well, that’s one problem off your plate.” She said and Claire was quick to agree with her, nodding her head. But their calm gathering was soon disturbed. From the Television behind Claire, a newscaster voice boomed. “...netizens are going wild as pictures of Miami's richest businessman, Cillian Alexander Laurent, and the country's most beloved model, Regina Lancaster, have surfaced online!” Right on cue, several pictures were displayed. Bellatrix's eyes fell on a photo of Cillian walking beside Regina, hand in hand, as a news reporter spoke. The tenderness of Cillian's expression and the scene that made them look like a perfect couple, made Bellatrix's heart ache. They looked too comfortable. As if they both weren't hurting someone. As if she didn’t exist. Lowering her gaze, Bellatrix took a sip from her juice, trying to wash away the bitter taste in her mouth. Suddenly, Avery's voice tore through the bar. “What the hell is wrong with that bastard?” She asked, her eyes burning with anger as she stared at the photo that was being displayed. "You've gotta be fucking with me?" Claire followed suit, equally angry. Naturally, she was a sweet and kind girl, but once someone angered her, her personality would do a 180 and she'd become a devil. "Is that man shameless? How can he parade the stress with that she-devil, when his wife is here? What a scumbag!" "All Men are scumbags." Avery spat. "Like a stubborn child, they only care about their own happiness and pleasure. If they can’t have something, they’d rather destroy it than let someone else have it." Bellatrix said nothing. She didn’t want to entertain any conversation about Cillian. For the past 5 years, if not more, all she had spoken about is Cillian, her heart had grown too used to talking about him and now, she wanted to completely stop that. Beside her, Avery placed down her drink and took Bellatrix's hand. “Don't worry Bella,” She began, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “All you need to do is wait for my research results. Once our artificial heart tech clears human trials, you’ll be okay." Hearing this—the slightest hint of her having a chance to live—warmed Bellatrix's heart. Smiling softly, she pulled Avery into a hug. “Thank you, and I believe in you.” she said and shortly after, pulled back. As she returned, Claire raised her glass. “And I’ll provide the celebration drinks when the time comes. Once all this is over, let's also have dinner together. Real food. No tears.” Bellatrix smiled softly. "Thank you both." Claire and Avery returned her smile, warming their little gathering. However peace, like always, was short-lived. The sound of Bellatrix's phone ringing tore through their silence, interrupting the moment. Pulling out her phone, Bellatrix saw it was her father calling. Without hesitation, she answered, but before she could say anything, her father's words rang through the other line. "Bella! What’s this nonsense I'm seeing?” Her father asked, sounding truly furious. Seconds later, the sound of his voice was followed by a violent cough. Bellatrix's heart skipped a beat and she quickly shot up from her seat. "Dad, are you okay?" She asked, worried. "How am I meant to be okay? Have you seen what's all over the news?" His voice shook, punctuated by another violent cough. "Daddy, please don't stress yourself. I promise, I'll explain everything. I'm coming right now, so please, don't stress yourself." She said, already grabbing her bag off the counter. As she ended the call, she quickly apologized to Claire and Avery and rushed out, not wasting another second in rushing back home. However, upon getting to the Lancaster family house, she was met not by her father—but by Regina. The woman stood poised in the sunlit foyer, a false innocence clinging to her like cheap perfume. Seeing her and recalling those photos she had just seen, made Bellatrix grit her teeth. “You..." She began as she strode forward. As she walked in, Regina turned to face her, flashing that ever confident smile of hers that icked Bellatrix. "What are you doing here?” Tilting her head, Regina feigned hurt, but her voice dripped with venom. “What am I doing here? I came to visit OUR sick father. Even if he did treat me cruelly once upon a time, I am still his daughter, I have to be here during his late moment.” She said innocently, but the meaning in her words made Bellatrix’s blood boil. "How dare you?" She questioned, taking an intimidating step closer. Regina however stood her ground. Suddenly, from behind them, her father’s voice rang out, hoarse with outrage. “How dare you say you care. If you cared, you wouldn't be misbehaving like this! Tell me, why are you trying to ruin the marriage between Bella and Cillian?" “Ruin their marriage?" Regina questioned with that same innocent facade of her as she turned to face Joe. "I'm doing no such thing father. It’s not my fault If a man doesn't want his dick inside the same woman he's tasted a thousand times, no one can force him to eat from the same boring old fruit. You should understand that better than anyone, father." "You..." Joe was on the verge of swearing when he suddenly held his chest and staggered backwards. Seeing this, Bellatrix quickly rushed to his side. "Daddy! Daddy that's enough, you need to rest. Please go back in." Her worried eyes scanned his face as she spoke. As if on cue, Elise rushes out of the house, supporting him from the other side. "Master Lancaster, you must not stress yourself like this. Come on now, you must rest." She said and after receiving a nod of gratitude from Bellatrix, she helped him back inside. Watching him go, Bellatrix felt her anger simmer. Turning to Regina, she snapped. "What the hell was that? If you wanted to show off, you didn't come here. And by the way, last I checked, You still haven’t gotten what you want. Cillian hasn’t signed the divorce papers, has he?" Regina’s gaze flickered. For a second, the smile on her face flattered, then, like a perfect mask being fit back on, she smiled—calm, steady, terrifying. “No. But I’ll be his date to the company’s anniversary gala." It was Bellatrix's turn for her expression to flatter. Attending the company anniversary as Cillian's date? Her heart, against her own judgement, plummeted. Cillian had never for once taken her as his date, yet, with Regina back, he wasn't hesitating to do so. Clenching her fist, she tried to keep her expression neutral. But that moment of hurt that she had displayed was all Regina needed to carry on. Sauntering over in proud steps, she continued with a triumphant smile. "Becoming his date for the company anniversary was a simple piece of cake, becoming his wife is just a matter of time now. So, enjoy the position while you have it, sister. It's not gonna last long." And with that, she turned and left, her heels clicking against the marble like a metronome counting down to something inevitable. Bellatrix stood there alone, a wave of disappointment washing over her. Even though they didn't know who she was, everyone in the entire city knew Cillain was married, and still he let Regina parade beside him like a queen-in-waiting. The newscaster's words flashed in her mind and her fist tightened, nail digging so much into her palm, that it would draw blood at any moment. However, the pain did not register, it did not even matter. How could Cillian be so reckless? She wondered. Did he not understand how this would affect the company’s stock? His reputation? Or perhaps he simply didn’t care—about the company, about the world, about...her? The answer to that question was staring glaringly at her in the face. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Bellatrix let out a heavy sigh. Well, it looked like it was indeed time for her to wake up from this broken dream of hers.