Chapter 67 A Handsome Husband
"Lanny, follow me inside. I'll find you something to wear." Bella took Lanny's hand and led her inside the house.
Lanny's dress was almost completely torn apart, and she was showing so much skin. Bella did not want Edward looking at Lanny for another second. As a wife, her duty was to protect her husband from any possible temptation.
Bella searched through the wardrobe and found the white dress that Lanny had given her back then. "This dress is yours. I'm returning it to you now."
Lanny stared at the clothes in the wardrobe with disgust. "Your clothes are all cheap and unbranded," she said, then glanced at the white dress. "This dress is the most expensive piece you have here. Are you sure you're giving it back to me?"
"I don't mind."
Bella had never understood Lanny's obsession with suppressing her. There were so many meaningful things to do in life.
"Really?" Lanny said with a smile as she put on her dress. "As far as I remember, the dress is not the only thing I've given you. I wonder if I can also take that back."
Bella frowned as she pondered what else Lanny had given her. "Do as you please. Take everything you own."
"If that's true...." Lanny leaned closer to Bella and whispered, "Then I'm going to get Edward back."
"You are crazy!" Bella cursed as she pushed Lanny away.
Lanny's words made her shake with anger.
'Edward is not an object she can just throw away and take back whenever she wants to,' she thought, fuming with anger.
Bella walked out of the room when she heard chatters coming from the living room. She headed back to her husband and saw some Skytel staff. Anna, Becky, and Lewis were trying to converse with Edward.
"Bro, let's taste this wine together later. I'm sure you'll like it. It's a very fine wine," Bella heard Lewis say to Edward.
"Sure. Thank you," Edward responded politely.
The three visitors immediately noticed Bella once she returned. Anna gave her a bouquet and a hug.
"Happy birthday, Bella!" Anna greeted her with a warm smile after giving her a gift.
"Thank you, Anna." Bella smiled back, then looked at the other two. "Thanks for coming, and welcome to my home. Why don't we go to the garden for fresh air?"
"Sure! We'd love to!"
Bella led them out to the garden. She enthusiastically introduced them to the vegetation they had at home, including chrysanthemums, daylilies, yucca, broad-leaved maidenhair, along-step grass, iris, and flat bamboo root.
"This is probably one of the most exquisite private gardens I've seen in Los Angeles!"
"I agree. There isn't a huge variety, but they are all thriving."
Their praises brought a genuine smile to her face.
"Oh, look! There's a fawn over there!" Becky suddenly cheered. "Are you raising it?"
"Uh, no..." Bella pursed her lips and reluctantly admitted, "Actually, I'm a bit embarrassed, but I hit the fawn with my car. I took the responsibility of taking care of it until it's fully healed."
"Can we play with it for a while then?" Becky pleaded.
"No problem." Bella smiled softly. "You guys go and enjoy yourselves. I'll go to the kitchen and continue preparing dinner."
Bella had only taken a few steps away when she heard her colleagues' unfiltered comments.
"When I heard from Lanny that Bella's husband was disabled, I had no idea why she chose someone incapable. I didn't expect him to be so handsome. No wonder Bella was willing to marry him."
"But it'll be hard for her to raise a family alone."
"Shh! Keep your voice down. Edward is the former president of Skytel. Have some decency!"
Bella pursed her lips, and her eyes caught Edward sitting on the porch.
Edward was bathed in the setting sun, holding a book of Wordsworth's poems. The golden-red afterglow shone on his face, making his stubble visible.
Bella stood to the side, gazing at him as silently as if she were staring at a painting.
Just then, Edward noticed Bella's gaze and inclined his head. They watched each other in silence and exchanged loving glances until Edward asked her to come over.
Once Bella had reached him, Edward took her hand and gave it a soft peck. "Miss Daffodil, why don't we go to the kitchen and prepare dinner together?"
Bella smiled at that and helped him to the kitchen.
***
Bob cautiously hid in the garden corner, quietly watching Bella's every move.
The way she entertained her colleagues was dignified and elegant, which fascinated him more.
Her garden was well-tended, but all the flowers were pale compared to hers.
She also had a baby deer, and he thought she must be able to communicate with it like a princess in fairy tales.
Bob could only imagine himself standing beside her, helping her entertain the guests. However, his fantasies instantly shattered when he saw Bella and Edward staring at each other endearingly.
In the setting sun, the air between the married couple emitted a sweet fragrance of honey. Every move dripped with love, cutting Bob's heart to the bone.
They were so happy and blessed while he was left with nothing but scars all over his body. He wanted to walk into that house but could not bring himself to move.
Bob had never felt so defeated, not even the moment when he found himself helpless in a landfill. He debated whether to continue his plans for the evening when Lanny walked up to him just in time.
"What are you waiting for?" Lanny hissed at him. "Did you bring what I asked you to?"
"I d-did."
"Then go inside now!" she said. "They are still busy in the kitchen. Remember not to let anyone catch you."
"Lanny..." Instead of going inside, Bob cautiously called Lanny's attention.
"What?"
"I..." He swallowed hard. "I don't think I can do this...."
"What the hell are you saying? Are you out of your mind?" Lanny was furious. "Don't expect me to pay you even a cent if you don't do as I say. Let's see how you will survive in the streets."
A shiver ran through Bob's body as he imagined himself homeless, begging in the streets for alms. He certainly did not want that to happen.
"I'll do it!" Bob instantly changed his mind.
"Good." Lanny nodded and grinned. "Don't forget. Bella is waiting for you to save her."
Bob nodded, then walked towards the house. Even though he did not want to believe Lanny's bullshits anymore, he knew there was no other way out for him.