Bella imdiately began searching for the nearest flights to City F. Her fingers flew across the screen of her phone, but with each swipe, her hope faded. The results only made her heart sink further. Almost every available flight was scheduled for early morning, and the few late night options were either completely full or marked with long delays. The trip, which should have been simple, now felt frustratingly out of reach.
She let out a quiet, frustrated breath, the bright light of her phone screen casting a lonely glow on her worried face in the dark car.
William had been watching her, observing the tension in her shoulders and the anxious way she chewed her lip. After a long mont, he broke the silence with a calm, thoughtful suggestion. "Why don’t you take my private jet?"
Bella’s head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. The question was so unexpected it broke through her spiral of worry. "You have a private jet?" she asked, her tone a mix of shock and disbelief. In all their ti together, this was a detail he had never ntioned.
A small, almost imperceptible smile touched William’s lips at her reaction, but it faded quickly as he nodded. "Yes," he confird simply. His expression then grew grave. "I have a strong feeling Leo might be in so kind of trouble. Waiting isn’t a wise option. You should call Alessandro right now and inform him of the situation. Once he knows, we can leave imdiately."
Without waiting for further discussion, he leaned forward slightly, his voice taking on a clear, commanding tone as he addressed the driver. "Change of plans. Take us to the private airport."
A powerful wave of gratitude washed over Bella, but it was instantly chased by a sharp pang of concern. She shook her head, her fingers gently wrapping around his aged hand where it rested on the seat between them. "No, Grandpa," she said, her voice soft but earnest. "You should not co. You need to rest. You’ve been busy all day because of , hosting, managing the event, dealing with... everything." She squeezed his hand. "I can’t, and I won’t, give you more stress. A late night flight is the last thing you need."
The thought of his health, of the fatigue she saw in his eyes, worried her even more.
William turned to look at her fully. His expression, which had been gentle, now settled into a look of deep, unshakable resolve. The warmth in his eyes remained, but it was underscored by a firmness that brooked no argunt. He placed his other hand over hers, his grip reassuring and steady.
"Bella," he said, his voice low but filled with a quiet, protective force. "I understand your worry for . But understand mine for you. I will not send you alone into a situation that feels wrong, toward a person who is clearly missing. You are not going by yourself. We will go together. That is final."
Missing.
The word made Bella’s breath catch shallowly, bitterly. She turned to William, her eyes glassy with unshed tears and fierce resolve.
"No, Grandpa. You’re not coming," she said, her voice trembling but firm. "And I’m not going alone. I’m taking my guards with . They’re trained for this. If anything happens, if I find anything at all, I will call you imdiately. I promise." She reached for his hand, holding it tightly. "Please... please don’t fight with on this. I can’t bear the thought of you getting sick because of ."
William looked into her pleading eyes, saw the fear for him warring with her fear for Leo.
His shoulders, which had been set with stubborn protectiveness, slowly relaxed. He let out a long, slow breath, the fight leaving him. Finally, he gave a single, heavy nod.
"Alright," he conceded, his voice rough with emotion. "But you call the mont you land. And your guards stay with you at all tis. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Bella whispered, her throat tight with relief. "Thank you."
When they reached the private airport, the sleek jet stood waiting under the cool glow of the runway lights. Before boarding, Bella turned and threw her arms around William, hugging him tightly, the sequins of her evening dress pressing against his coat.
"Thank you, Grandpa," she murmured into his shoulder. "For everything. I love you."
William held her close, his own eyes burning. He could not speak, so he just nodded against her hair, patting her back once, twice, a silent blessing. He watched as she pulled away and walked toward the jet, still dressed in the elegant gown from the event, a stark contrast to the urgent mission ahead.
Inside the cabin, Bella sank into a plush seat. The adrenaline that had been fueling her began to ebb, leaving a deep, aching hollow in its place. She missed Leo so much it was a physical pain, a tightness in her chest that made it hard to breathe. She leaned her head back, a pounding headache blooming at her temples from stress and exhaustion. She closed her eyes as the gentle hum of the engines built around her and the pilot’s calm announcent echoed through the cabin. "Prepare for takeoff."
The journey would take at least two hours. Two hours of not knowing. Two hours of dread and hope tangled together. Knowing she needed strength for whatever she might face, Bella made a conscious decision. She forced her muscles to unclench, took several deep, slow breaths, and tried to quiet the storm in her mind. She needed to rest now, so she would be ready later. For Leo.
Her gown, once beautiful, now felt tight and restrictive, the intricate beading pressing against her skin with every slight movent. The delicate fabric, ant for a glamorous evening, was utterly unsuited for a tense, red eye flight fueled by worry. She shifted in the plush seat, trying to find a comfortable position, convinced the discomfort would keep her awake the entire journey.
Yet exhaustion was a heavier force. The emotional whirlwind of the evening, the confrontation with Alexa, the fear for Leo had drained her completely. Without realizing it, the gentle sound of the engines and the dark, featureless sky outside the window lulled her. The worries that had been racing through her mind blurred, softened, and finally, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
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