Previously: Later that night, Ellie lay on her bed, staring at her ceiling. She can't stop thinking about Bella
"What's going on with my heart lately"
___________________
"I wonder who she was dreaming about, She looked like she missed that person"
"Why do I even care who she's dreaming about?, Hopefully, by tomorrow, she'll be fine." Ellie murmured.
The next morning, the sky was still grey and everything felt quiet. Ellie was in the kitchen, making a simple bowl of congee for Bella. The steam from the pot fogged up and the warm smell filled the room.
Once it was ready, she putted it carefully on the small table beside Bella's bed. Bella was still asleep and her face still a little pale.
Ellie doesn't want to wake her.
Instead, she writed a note on a small piece of paper and set it together next to the bowl:
"I hope you're feeling better when u wake up, I made some congee for you—please eat it. If anything happens, call me."
She added her phone number beneath the words, then looked at Bella one last time before quietly leaving the house. She had things to take care of—arrangements and paperwork for the restaurant she was about to take over.
Even when she stepped out into the cool morning air, part of her still felt like it was still worried inside—with the girl who was sick and hurting.
After Ellie left the house to take care of some things, Bella's phone suddenly buzzed.
BUZZZZZ
The sound made Bella flinch a little. Her eyes felt heavy, and her body was weak. As she reached for her phone and checked the screen.
It was a message from Alice.
She stared at the screen for a few seconds—expressionless, empty. She didn't plan to reply. Then… another message popped up.
"I'm in front of your house now." (Alice message)
The message made Bella's eyes snap open. She was shocked, her body still weak, but she pushed herself to check the door to see if Alice was really there.
And sure enough.
Alice was standing there, like a ghost from Bella's past that she couldn't escape. She looked different from last night, wearing a casual t-shirt and jeans, which made her look more masculine.
"Why didn't you answer my call?" Alice said but as she looked at Bella's face. Her expression shifted as she saw how pale Bella was.
Without waiting for an answer, Alice stepped closer and touched Bella's forehead.
"You're burning up. Are you sick, Bella?" The concerned tone was familiar, but now it felt sharp—because Bella knew Alice's concern had never been genuine.
"I'm fine," Bella said quietly, trying to push her hand away.
But Alice refused to step back.
"You're as stubborn as ever." Alice replied.
Alice wrapped her arm around Bella, leading her back to the bed, like she used to—but it didn't feel the same.
"Did you take your medicine?" Alice asked
"I'm not sick," Bella replied defensively. But her tone wavered.
Alice scoffed.
"You're obviously sick. Where do you keep your medicine?" Alice said
Alice started looking around Bella's room, opening drawers and searching for some medicine, But what she found instead was a bowl of congee sitting by the bed, with a little note next to it.
Suddenly Alice expression changing.
Silent. For a long time. Then…
"Looks like someone's taking care of you now." Her voice was quiet, but sharp.
There was jealousy she couldn't quite hide.
"What are you talking about?" Bella asked, confused.
Alice didn't reply. She just stared at the bowl of congee, then looked back at Bella.
"Why didn't you eat it? Looks like someone put a lot of effort into making it" Alice said.
Bella turned her face away, her eyes landing on the small note. The handwriting it was Ellie's with a bowl of congee .
And just like that, everything from last night came rushing back.
And about the words that she said it to Ellie last night —"I miss you too"—
Her lips trembled.
"Damn…" Bella muttered under her breath.
"So, you're not going to eat it? It's been sitting there for a while," Alice said, glancing at the table with a sarcastic tone.
Bella glanced at Alice.
Despite her weakness and pale face from the fever, her voice stayed cold.
"That's none of your business. Whether I eat it or not doesn't concern you." Bella replied
"Now tell me. What do you really want?" Bella added
Alice fell silent. Her face showed hesitation, her eyes unable to meet Bella's.
Then, she finally spoke
"I want us be together again." Alice said
Those words froze the room.
Bella said nothing, but her mind was in chaos.
"Two years. Two years you disappeared without a trace, deciding to leave me like I never mattered. And now you want us back?"
Deep down, Bella knew it was true—she still had feelings for Alice. But the pain Alice had left behind wasn't something that could heal easily for her.
"You must be crazy now?" Bella's voice cut through the silence.
"I know… I was wrong." Alice replied.
"I don't think we should, Alice. You already have your own life, and I have mine as well" Bella replied.
"I'm divorced already" Alice replied.
"What?" Bella thought
"I got married because of my parents' pressure. I'm their only child, Bella. I didn't want to disappoint them." Alice's voice faltered
"You have no idea how hard it was for me." Alice added
Bella let out a bitter laugh.
"And you think it was easy for me?" Bella's voice was sharp, laced with frustration.
Alice's silent.
"What about me? You think I didn't have a family too? I left them for you, Alice. You were all I had. And now, look at you—at the end of it all, you've still disappointed them, haven't you? You divorced him, and now you expect me to come back to you? It's almost funny." Bella added.
"You're right… I disappointed everyone. Including you." Alice looked down, her voice dripping with regret.
Then, Alice lifted her head, her gaze sharp.
"Are you already with someone else now?" Alice asked
"Are you serious now? And that's none of your business anyway," Bella replied firmly.
"Then why? Why can't we just be together again?" Alice's frustration boiled over.
Bella stared at her, eyes sharp but filled with unhealed wounds.
"Why?… You're asking me why?" Bella's voice was fill with frustration.
"It's because you always think about what you want. You make decisions on your own, without ever considering how I feel. Just like two years ago… you left without even looking back. And now you're doing it again. You come here, thinking only about your own feelings, without even asking… how I've been." Bella added.
Tears started to fill Bella's eyes, but she held them back. She had to stay strong.
Then The front door creaked open slowly.
Creak...…
Someone had just entered the house—
it was Ellie.
She had just returned after finishing her errands for the restaurant she was about to take over. The only thing on her mind as soon as she arrived was Bella.
"Has she gotten any better…? I need to see for myself I guess" Ellie murmured.
But before she could check on Bella, Ellie heard the sound of two people arguing in Bella's room, and one of them was Bella.
Ellie frowned.
"Who is bella arguing with?" Ellie wondered
Ellie walked slowly toward Bella's room. The door wasn't fully closed, and through the small gap, she saw a woman inside.
She was beautiful… and familiar.
"That… that's the woman, I think she's the same one Bella was with near the supermarket before."
Inside the room, Alice stood facing Bella.
"Can you… forget everything that happened?" Alice replied.
"I came back because I regret it, Bell. I want to make things right." Alice added
Bella froze in silent
She felt like her heart was pulled back into the past. That wound… it had never really healed.
But now Alice was standing in front of her—the woman she once loved with all her heart—and her heart started to waver.
She wanted to hate her but longing… was too strong.
Alice stepped closer and took Bella's hand, holding it tightly.
"We can start over, Bell. Let's leave the past behind. Let's make new memories. Please… just give me a chance." Alice said.
Outside the room, Ellie still stood frozen in place.
"Actually, what are they talking about right now? It sounds like they're talking as if they have a special relationship." Ellie thought were spinning.
Then suddenly—Alice's phone vibrated. A message had come through.
BUZZZZZ
The name "Hansen" lit up the screen.
Alice's expression shifted instantly after she saw it—from confident to panicked.
"Sorry, We talk more later," she said quickly, her voice faltering.
She rushed to the door, and when she opened it, she saw Ellie standing there, staring silently.
Their eyes met for a brief second. Alice didn't recognize her, but it was clear she had questions.
Alice glanced back at Bella one last time, then cast a sharp look at Ellie.
A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Looks like… someone's waiting for you" Alice said, her tone edged with mockery, before she left of Bella house.
Bella was still sitting on her bed, slowly looking up at Ellie.
"How long has she been there…?" Bella wondered
It felt awkward and tense, Both of them seemed like they wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start.
Then finally, Ellie spoke. Her voice was quiet… but piercing.
"That woman. Is she someone from your family" Ellie asked,
Bella didn't know what to say. Her mind went blank, and she had no idea how to answer Ellie's question.