The Divorced Heiress’s Revenge

The atmosphere in the hospital room was stifling.

Mila and Quentin stood frozen, staring at Bella in utter shock.

"Ms. Bella, you... You knew all along that the boy was Young Master Hugh?" Quentin's voice trembled with disbelief.

"Yes." Bella pressed her lips together, lowering her lashes. "Last time, when Ralph took his cigarette butt for a DNA test... We already knew the results."

"So you and Ralph both knew that he was my Hugh... Yet you conspired to keep it from me?!" Mila stepped forward, her shoulders shaking, her eyes were red with restrained emotion.

A pang of guilt pierced Bella's heart. She hesitated before whispering, "Aunt Mila, I'm sorry... If you must blame someone, blame me. It was my idea-it had nothing to do with Ralph."

Mila's gaze locked onto hers, unwavering. Without realizing it, tears streamed down her face.

"You have no idea what I have endured all these years without Hugh. Wyatt, Camilla, Celeste, and Sasha -they all told me to let go. I forced myself to move past the grief of losing my child and accept the possibility that Hugh was gone, his body lost forever.

"But I never let go. Not for a single second. Night after night, I dreamed of Hugh standing before me, drenched from head to toe, whispering over and over, 'Mom... The water is so cold...""

A heavy sigh escaped Quentin's lips, while Bella trembled, overwhelmed with sorrow.

Mila's tears fell uncontrollably, her reddened eyes swirling with anguish. "Bella, you knew everything and

still kept it from me. Do you not see how presumptuous and cruel you have been to me?"

For the first time, the woman who had treated Bella as her own daughter and spoiled Bella more than her own children raised her voice.

At this moment, pain consumed Mila, stripping away her usual composure.

"I'm sorry..." Bella apologized again, choking on her words.

how you feel," Quentin interjected, unable to bear Bella being scolded. "But you have watched Ms. Bella grow up. You know what kind of person she is. She is not reckless or thoughtless. I believe

hoarse with urgency. "Aunt Mila, Hugh

Mila's entire body tensed.

he is being manipulated and used. The person controlling him could take his life at any moment. If his identity is exposed or he loses that person's trust, he will be in immediate

kept it from you and Wyatt. I was afraid that your

heart pounded violently. Her bloodshot

Mila, I'm sorry. For both your safety, I cannot

road, a group of

tightly, her worry mounting. "If what you say is true, that the mastermind still has a use for Hugh-why

was stunned. Her gaze

was in need of capable men.

to sever Grant's right-hand man before he

was far more

over Bella's heart, but she forced herself to reassure Mila. "Aunt Mila, don't worry. Hugh is not the same as before. He

anyone?" Mila's voice cracked. "Do you have any idea... The

at the hospital a moment later, he would not

rushed to soothe her, gently

found Hugh. If I lose him again...

Aunt Mila. This time, I swear I will bring Hugh

then, Mila's phone

She glanced down.

moved

eyes widened. "Aunt Mila,

the phone,

is too big,

sharply. She could not help but