Emily Stearn glanced at Tristan and her husband.
"Tristan, I’m so glad you finally brought your wife to et us," Emily said, causing Tristan and Jayson Spencer to pause their conversation and look at Bella.
Tristan’s smile widened as he placed his hand on Bella’s shoulder and gently pulled her close.
"Brother Jayson, Sister Emily, I hope you still rember my wife, Arabella Donovan," Tristan proudly reintroduced her.
"Luckily, you brought her today, or we might forget her," Jayson Spencer laughed warmly as he offered Bella a handshake.
"I’m so grateful to et you again, Bella. My wife and I are pleased to have you join us for dinner with our family tonight," Jayson said sincerely.
Hearing Jayson’s kind words, Bella felt her nervousness lt away. She imdiately accepted his hand, saying, " too, sir. I’m glad to et you and your family."
Even though her nervousness was slowly fading, Bella couldn’t shake the feeling that this man was similar to Sean. It felt like she was eting a fifty-year-old Sean. His voice, too, seed like she was talking to Sean now, not Jayson Spencer.
"Bella, you can call by my na or ’brother,’ just like Tristan does," Jayson insisted.
Bella suddenly felt her blood run cold. How could she call him ’brother’? He is the country’s president and her best friend’s father.
The strange connection overwheld her, and she started to feel slightly dizzy.
Just as she was about to refuse, she saw his charming, sincere, and thoughtful expression, making her nod in agreent, unable to utter anything, realizing refusing such a kindhearted person would be impolite.
"Jayson, Tristan," Emily said, noticing Bella’s nervous expression, "It’s getting chilly out here. I’m afraid Bella will be cold. We’d better move inside. Co, Bella, walk with ."
"Apologies, Bella, Tristan," Jayson’s smile felt terrible. "Alright, let’s go inside," he agreed with his wife as the temperature dropped. He led the way, with Tristan walking beside him.
After glancing at Tristan, Bella walked, catching up with Emily, to enter their residence.
While walking inside toward the living room, Bella heard Emily explain the residence where she had lived for the past few years since her husband beca president.
However, in this house, she lived only with her daughter, while her eldest son lived in his own apartnt.
Bella listened to Emily’s explanation without saying much. She tried to take in the place’s grandeur but couldn’t enjoy it as Emily started to talk about Sean.
"Unfortunately, my son can’t join us tonight, Bella. He is busy with his duties," Emily said sadly.
Bella seed happy to hear it—at least she wouldn’t feel awkward with Sean in the sa room as Tristan. She still rembered the tension from their last eting at her house and didn’t want them to confront each other with Sean’s family around.
However, Bella’s happiness was short-lived when Emily continued, "But don’t worry. Even though Sean won’t be around, his sister, Keira, and my sister-in-law, Amanda Spencer, will join us," she said excitedly.
Bella’s heart races. She worried about eting Amanda Spencer again.
"My niece, Rose Wilson, will also join us tonight. I will introduce you to them later," Emily whispered as they finally settled on the three-seater sofa and sat side by side.
Bella only smiled while nodding, unsure of how to respond. Occasionally, she glanced at Tristan, sitting not far from them, engrossed in a aningful conversation with Jayson Spencer.
She sighed silently, wishing Tristan was seated next to her.
At this mont, Bella was puzzled about how to start a conversation with Emily. She wasn’t the kind of person who could easily socialize with soone she wasn’t close to.
"Oh, Bella," Emily said excitedly, bringing Bella back to the conversation. "I heard from my husband that you and Tristan already have a son?" she asked.
Bella was stunned to hear that. She didn’t expect Tristan to be so close to Jayson Spencer as to tell him about their son, Dax.
"Yes. His na is Daxton; he’s almost five years old now," Bella answered. There was no point in hiding Dax from her.
Emily’s eyes beca gloomy as she said, "You should bring him too, Bella. I want to et him. I’ve wanted to have grandchildren for a long ti, but my son, Sean, still doesn’t want to get married. It makes envious of you and Tristan—"
Bella swallowed silently. She didn’t know how to respond. She could only smile at her.
Luckily, several servers ca in at that mont, providing Bella with a reason not to continue talking about Sean.
The servers delivered warm drinks and continued talking about a few things.
However, not long after, a few footsteps were heard from outside.
Sohow, Bella felt tension again as she followed Emily and the others standing, looking at four people entering the living room.
Bella noticed three young won and one man entering the room.
Out of the four, the only one she recognized was Amanda Spencer—her heart raced.
"Finally, you guys are here, Amanda, Kei, Rose, Evan," greeted Emily. As Jason and Tristan began talking to Evan, Emily turned to Bella. "Let introduce you to my family."
Bella smiled and nodded as she looked at each of them.
"This is Keira, my younger daughter," Emily introduced.
Bella was surprised that the beautiful young girl was Sean’s little sister. "Hello, I’m Bella," she said, politely shaking Keira’s hand.
"And this is Rose Wilson Spencer, my husband’s niece, and that man over there is her husband, Evan Collins," Emily continued.
Once again, Bella was surprised to see Rose Wilson, whom she had seen on the internet.
"Hello, I’m Arabella Donovan. It’s nice to et you," Bella said, accepting Rose’s warm hug. eting such influential people she had only seen online or on television felt unreal.
"And this one—" Emily paused when she saw Amanda smiling at Bella; it seed they already knew each other. She frowned. "Amanda, you know Bella?"
"Yes, sis, I know Bella. We have t once before," Amanda said, happily embracing Bella. "I’m glad to et you again," she whispered.
" too, sister Amanda," Bella said, relieved because she could sense that Amanda didn’t despise her.
"Alright, let’s sit and talk," Emily suggested, leading Bella to sit beside her.
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