Though paralyzed, still radiantly charming!

Chapter 295: I really don’t want to see her again!

“Huff… huff…”

The metallic taste of blood spread through Ryan’s mouth. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was panting heavily. By the time he realized what was happening, his tongue was already bitten through.

He fought hard to suppress the panic rising inside him, trying to stop those chaotic memories from spiraling out of control.

As the images resurfaced, he finally understood why he had always felt that subtle, unexplainable resistance toward Bella.

She seemed so sweet and gentle. In Ryan’s mind, all he could recall were memories of her clinging to his arm, playfully whining. How could he have forgotten something so important?

When Bella was adopted, Ryan didn’t feel any sadness. In fact, he had even felt relieved.

Now, he couldn’t bring himself to look at her, to meet her eyes. He swallowed hard, but all he could hear was the ringing in his ears.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up, I’m really tired.”

Alice lightly tapped Ryan’s shoulder, her eyes half-open, observing the situation in front of her. She naturally urged him forward.

But the moment she felt the tension in Ryan’s back, his whole body trembling, Alice immediately grew anxious.

“Ryan, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She tried to wriggle off his back, her voice filled with concern.

Alice had seen a lot in her life, and she’d been around Ryan long enough to know his usual carefree, laid-back attitude. This was the first time she’d ever seen him so tense.

What happened? Did something go wrong?

Her drowsiness quickly faded, and Alice suddenly turned her head toward the Audi behind them, her gaze sharp as a knife, locking onto Nella in the driver’s seat.

Even though she had already confirmed multiple times that there was nothing between Nella and Ryan, in a situation like this, Alice’s first instinct was still to suspect Nella.

But that fierce expression from earlier seemed to vanish as if it had never been there.

“I’m not feeling well. Let’s just go back and rest.”

Ryan snapped out of it for just a second, but Alice had already turned to face Nella directly. Her sensitivity was no surprise—after all, she was the head of a mafia organization.

Even though his heart was pounding, Ryan had no intention of telling Alice the truth about what was going on.

To use a crude analogy, if Alice was a mighty lion, then Nella was a cunning wolf.

In the wild, there are many predators more dangerous than wolves, but that doesn’t mean they’re more efficient hunters.

The key lies in the wolf’s cunning. It will stalk its prey for a long, long time, waiting for even the strongest animal to let its guard down. And just when the prey thinks it’s safe and closes its eyes, the wolf strikes from behind, sinking its teeth into their throat.

Right now, the wolf had its eyes on its prey, following closely behind, waiting for that moment of weakness.

Ryan had a theory about why Bella was targeting Alice.

Maybe it was resentment. Maybe it was confusion. With a faint glimmer of hope, Ryan turned to look back.

He was lying to himself, pretending that if he looked back now, Bella would be the same as she used to be.

But… those things had already happened. No one could go back.

Ryan felt a sharp pain in his neck, like a blade scraping against his bones, cutting deep into his flesh, blood pouring out.

What kind of look was that?

Greed. Bloodlust. Violence. The predator had waited far too long for its prey, and now it couldn’t hold back any longer. It was finally revealing its true face.

“…”

Ryan opened his mouth, trying desperately to say something—maybe to explain, maybe to question—but it was as if his throat was blocked, and no sound came out.

Their eyes met, and Ryan felt like his skin was burning under her gaze.

Unable to stand it for even a second longer, he quickly looked away and turned, practically fleeing toward the villa.

Bella’s expression didn’t change. When she saw Ryan turn and run, a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

As expected. Even though this was their first meeting since she returned, Ryan was still the same. He hadn’t changed one bit.

Still shining with that same light. Still so tempting. Still driving her mad.

She could never forget the time when she was bullied because of her hair color, and Ryan had stepped in, beating up those jerks and chasing them away.

She also couldn’t forget how Ryan had taken on part-time jobs while they were in the orphanage, just so she could go to school and grow up like a normal person.

Over the years, every little moment with Ryan had played over and over in her mind, again and again.

She missed him so much it was driving her insane. She gave up everything abroad, made up a reasonable excuse to return home, all just to be by Ryan’s side again.

But now, it seemed like someone else had taken that place beside him.

“His other half… huh.”

Alice’s words from their first encounter on the second floor of the banquet hall echoed in her mind once more.

A surge of anger rose within her, like someone was scraping her stomach with steel wool, making her feel sick to her core.

If she had any shred of sanity left when she locked eyes with Ryan earlier, it was now completely gone.

Like a madwoman, Bella slammed her fists against the steering wheel. The car horn blared intermittently, sharp and piercing, like the scream of a banshee in the night.

She tried to recall some happy memories with Ryan, the only thing that had kept her going through these dull years. But all she could think of now was Alice holding Ryan, and how he didn’t resist.

“Brother… didn’t you like me? Why didn’t you hold on a little longer? Why did you run away?”

Bella had asked herself this question countless times over the years. Why had they, who were once so close, who had promised never to be apart, ended up separated?

If Ryan were to explain, he’d probably give some noble speech about reality and practical concerns.

Kids from orphanages, even though they’re cared for, are never quite the same as other children. They lack love, and their hunger for it is far beyond what most people can imagine.

People from Venice could never understand the thirst of camel traders in the Sahara Desert. Those favored by fate always take things for granted.

“You do love me… you must.”

If Ryan had stayed outside a little longer, he would’ve noticed that Bella’s current state was eerily similar to Alice’s earlier outburst.

She kept repeating the same words, like a devout believer kneeling before a statue of Jesus, convinced that if she just recited the Bible, the Lord would protect her, and all her painful memories would vanish.

Her body curled up in pain, her hands red and swollen from the force of her own blows. In some places, the skin had turned a deep, bruised purple, a horrifying sight.

The madness from earlier had completely faded. Now, she looked like a pet abandoned by its owner, her eyes red as she stared in the direction Ryan had gone, but too weak to even lift a finger.

The stabbing pain in her stomach came in waves, like the ocean threatening to capsize her tiny boat. Sweat beaded on Bella’s forehead as she clutched her stomach, pounding her abdomen with her fist.

This self-destructive act was the only thing that brought her any relief. The physical pain was nothing compared to the agony in her heart.

“Brother, Bella’s really hurting… can you come check on me?”

In a daze, she watched Ryan’s figure grow smaller and smaller under the dim streetlights, and it felt like she was back four years ago.

Back then, her stomach problems weren’t as severe, but whenever the pain hit, even in the middle of the night, there was always someone who would sneak into her room, place a hand over her stomach, and soothe her to sleep.

But now, Ryan probably didn’t even want to look at her.

She had pretended for so long, playing the role of the sweet, considerate little sister, just to stay by Ryan’s side.

But in the end, just when everything seemed to be going well, something unexpected happened. Ryan, in his so-called effort to do what was best for her, had agreed to her adoption.

The adoptive family had great conditions, and they treated her like their own daughter. Ryan must have looked into it thoroughly before making that decision.

From an outsider’s perspective, Ryan probably hadn’t done anything wrong. He had given Bella a better opportunity, which led to her becoming the glamorous third daughter of the Langston family today.

The ugly duckling had turned into a swan overnight, and she had gone from being an ordinary girl to someone admired by all. How was she supposed to feel about that?

Bella didn’t know, and she didn’t want to think about it. She figured it was probably hatred.

He knew her so well, even better than she knew herself. How could he not know what she truly wanted, what she truly cared about?

She had never forgotten, not even for a moment, the conversation she overheard outside the orphanage director’s office three years ago.

[Ryan, are you sure you want to give this opportunity to Bella? You also…]

[Director, there’s no need to say more. Bella needs and deserves a better chance.]

[But no, no, that couple clearly has their eyes on you. They’re here for you, not her…]

[Director, please. I can’t face Bella anymore. Just consider this my selfish request.]

[I really don’t want to see her again!]