Author's pov:

"What the hell, Bella? If you're drinking, then who's handling me after I get drunk?" Sofia leans forward, her gaze fixed on Bella, her expression were serious.

"Ca-call your f-fucking husband. He'll h-handle you" Bella slurs her words, giggling.

Sofia stares at Bella, her eyes flashing with anger. Bella knew she didn't like talking about Ansh.

"S-sorry, my lord. My fault. Won't happen again." Bella said In her alcoholic voice.

Sofia's glare softens slightly, but her eyes still hold a hint of warning.

"By the way... usually you don't drink then why today? Is something wrong?" Sofia asked bella with concern.

"Oh, it's nothing," Bella dismisses with a wave of her hand, though her eyes betray a flicker of pain.

"Okay, then keep it to yourself. I won't ask again." Sofia said, her voice sharp with a hint of annoyance.

Bella abruptly stood up from the bar chair, her legs wobbling slightly under the influence of the alcohol. She stumbled towards Sofia, her arms wrapping around her in a tight hug. Tears streamed down her face. "He... he cheated on me, Sofia,"

Sofia's eyes widened in disbelief. "shhh..., it's okay, Bella," she murmured softly, stroking Bella's hair.

She gently patted Bella's back, trying to calm her down. "Who... who was your boyfriend?" Sofia asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

"I don't want to take that bastard's name," Bella mumbled pulling herself back from sofia's hug.

Sofia's jaw clenched. "He's Ansh, Bella. I know."

"Oh, really?" Bella scoffed, pulling away from Sofia completely. "And how would you know that, my dear godmother?"

Sofia went silent for two minutes, her gaze fixed the bar counter . She was recalling the moment she had walked into Ansh's cabin , only to find Bella entangled with Ansh, their lips locked in a passionate kiss.

Bella, unable to stand on her own two feet, placed one hand on her waist and snapped her fingers in front of Sofia's eyes to bring her out of her thoughts "I asked you something"" Bella asked firmly.

"If you have to act innocent and pretend like you haven't done anything, then let's not talk about it, Bella," Sofia said, her voice cold and dismissive.

"How could you even think that I would date your husband?" Bella demanded, her voice rising. "What made you think that? "

Sofia's voice rose, a venomous hiss escaping her lips. "If you want to listen, then listen! I saw you both... Kissing, in Ansh's cabin"

Bella slapped her hand to her forehead, the sound echoing through the room. She sat on the ground, her legs giving way beneath her. "I have never seen such a dumb woman as you, Sofia. I swear."

"Yes, that's all you can say now," Sofia spat, her anger still simmering.

Bella stood up from the ground, her gaze unwavering. "Alexander... Alexander Volkov is my boyfriend."

Sofia scoffed, "Wh...What?"

"After breaking up with Ansh, Alexander was my only boyfriend" Bella explained, her voice trembling slightly.

"But his family was not ready for our relationship, for our marriage. They knew about my past, that I was the ex-girlfriend of their rival, Ansh. "

"Alexander... he gave up. He wasn't willing to fight for me against his family. He gave up on us. So, I thought... I thought I would make him jealous. I would fake a relationship with Ansh. I asked Ansh to play along, but he refused. So, I tried to... to kiss him. I was going to take a picture, you know, as proof for Alexander.I was... I was out of my mind, Sofia. I wasn't thinking clearly. I regret it so much. I should have told you, I know. I'm sorry Sofia... I'm sorry"

Sofia was shocked after hearing bella. Her eyes were widened. She wasn't even blinking.

"And today I got the news he's getting married....but Ansh was innocent in it, Sofia," Bella said, her voice soft. "When I kissed him, he didn't take advantage. He pushed me away, he was on the verge of shooting me, trust me. That day, I saw a man in him...who totally belonged to you."

Sofia remained frozen, the shock still gripping her. It was as if the world around her had gone silent, leaving only the echo of Bella's words ringing in her ears.

Sofia didn't say a single word and looked at the counter. Suddenly, she reached for the bottle of alcohol . She downed it in one gulp, the fiery liquid burning her throat. The silence that followed was deafening.

Bella moved closer to Sofia, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice filled with concern.

Sofia slumped against the counter, the bottle slipping from her grasp and clattering to the floor. "He... he was... right... about me..."

Her words slurred slightly as she spoke, her voice barely audible. "I... I betrayed... him... He... was... right..."