Chapter 1 THE GIRL DYING IN THE HOSPITAL BED
The shrill sound of a heart monitor echoed through the silent hospital room. Bella Tom lay motionless on the hospital bed, her pale face almost blending with the white sheets beneath her. A tube was attached to her nose. Her lips had lost their color. Her body remained frighteningly still. The doctors had been fighting for her life for the past twelve hours.
Standing beside her bed was James Brown. The powerful CEO who never showed emotions. The billionaire who made grown men tremble with a single glance. Yet now his expensive suit was wrinkled. His tie hung loosely around his neck. Dark circles sat beneath his bloodshot eyes. He hadn't moved from her bedside since she was rushed into the emergency room. Not once. Not even for food. Not even for sleep. He couldn't even think straight. He felt drowned.
The door opened. A doctor stepped inside. James immediately rose to his feet.
"How is she?" he demanded. The doctor hesitated. That hesitation made James's heart drop.
"Mr. Brown..."
"Talk."
"The poison was extremely dangerous." James clenched his fists. Poison? Even hearing the word again made his blood boil. Someone had poisoned Bella. Someone had wanted her dead. "We managed to stabilize her," the doctor continued. "But the next twenty-four hours are critical. We just hope she's able to survive it.”
James stared at Bella. Critical? The word felt like a knife. He remembered her smile. The way she rolled her eyes whenever he acted arrogant. The way she always stood up to him despite being terrified. The way she stubbornly refused to cry in front of him. And now she was lying there because he had failed to protect her.
The doctor quietly left. The room fell silent again. James reached for Bella's hand. For the first time in years, his voice shook.
"Wake up." He cried. But the echoes from his deep voice came running back to him empty. No replies, no answers. For the first time in his life he truly felt lonely. He had never missed anyone this much. Not even Lisa.
A bitter laugh escaped him. Even now she refused to listen to him. Suddenly the door burst open. Mrs. Shirley rushed inside. Her face was stained with tears.
"Any news?" James shook his head. The older woman covered her mouth.
"Oh Bella..." Before anyone could speak again, another figure appeared at the doorway. A police detective. Detective Mark Evans. His expression was grim.
"We found something." James turned sharply.
"What?" The detective held up a transparent evidence bag. Inside was a teacup. Mrs. Shirley's eyes widened. "The tea..." The detective nodded.
"Laboratory results confirmed poison." The room froze. James's jaw tightened.
"Who served it?" James asked.
The detective exchanged a glance with his partner.
"We're still investigating." The detective replied. James's voice became dangerously quiet.
"Find them."
The detective nodded. "We will."
After they left, silence swallowed the room once more. Then something unexpected happened. Bella's fingers twitched. James froze. His eyes widened.
"Doctor!"
The monitors suddenly began beeping faster.
Doctors and nurses stormed into the room. James was pushed back. He watched helplessly as medical staff surrounded her bed.
For one terrifying second, Bella's eyes opened. And before darkness consumed her again, she whispered one word. A name. A name that made everyone freeze.
"Ethan..."
Three months earlier, rain poured heavily across Reef Street. Bella Tom tightened her coat and hurried through the storm. Life has been cruel lately. She had lost her job. Her landlord wanted rent. Her savings were nearly gone. Everything seemed to be falling apart.
Lost in thought, she turned a corner. And slammed into someone. A strong chest. Hard as stone. Bella stumbled backward.
"Oh my God, I'm sorry". She stopped.
The man standing before her looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine. Tall, sharp jawline, piercing eyes, expensive suit and dangerously handsome. His gaze swept over her. Cold, dismissive and judgmental.
"You should watch where you're going." Bella blinked, then frowned.
"Excuse me?" The stranger brushed invisible dust from his sleeve.
As expected, her eyes narrowed.
"What exactly does that mean?"
"It means people should learn basic awareness." He shot back.
Bella stared at him. Was he serious? Rain dripped from her hair. Her clothes were soaked. And this arrogant man was acting like she had committed a crime.
"But I apologized."
He simply walked away. Bella's mouth fell open. Then anger exploded inside her.
"Hey!" He didn't stop. "You're rude!" Still nothing. "Arrogant jerk!" She cussed.
The man finally paused. He glanced back briefly. One eyebrow lifted. Then he continued walking.
Bella groaned.
"Unbelievable." She never expected to see him again. She was wrong, very wrong.
The following week, Bella spotted an advertisement. A maid was needed at Brown Mansion. The salary nearly made her faint. It was more money than she had ever earned. She immediately applied. The mansion itself looked like a palace. Very magnificent with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling with marble floors. It was a pure epitome of luxury.
Unfortunately, the woman interviewing her seemed determined to hate her. Lisa Jade. Beautiful, elegant and absolutely awful. She barely glanced at Bella's resume.
"We'll contact you." The interviewer said.
Bella knew rejection when she saw it. She left furious. But that evening something strange happened.
A letter arrived. She had been called back for a second interview. Confused but desperate, she returned. This time she was escorted to an enormous office. The moment she stepped inside— Her heart nearly stopped.
Sitting behind the desk was the man from Reef Street. The arrogant jerk. The stranger slowly lifted his eyes. Recognition flashed across his face. Then vanished.
James Brown. CEO of King's Royal Group. Owner of Brown Mansion. And apparently her potential employer. Bella suddenly wanted to leave.
James leaned back. "You applied for the maid position."
"Yes." She replied.
"You have impressive qualifications." He said mockingly.
"Thank you."
His eyes studied her. Carefully, intensely. Almost like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Then he spoke.
"You're hired." Bella blinked.
Just like that? No questions? No interview? Nothing?
"Really?" She said, leaping in joy.
A small smirk appeared on his face. Disappointed, Bella immediately regretted speaking. The smirk vanished.
"Rule number one." His voice turned cold.
"You work for me."
She folded her arms.
"Understood." She affirmed.
"Rule number two." His eyes darkened.
"Don't mistake employment for friendship."
Something about his tone irritated her.
"What does that mean?" Bella leaned forward.
"It means stay in your place." Almost harshly.
The words struck harder than they should have. Bella swallowed. Then forced a smile.
"Anything else?"
James stared at her. For a brief moment something unreadable crossed his face. Then he looked away.
"No."
Bella left the office. The second the door closed behind her, she exhaled. Her new boss was impossible. What she didn't know was that James continued staring at the closed door long after she left. Because there was one thing he hadn't told her. He remembered everything. The rain, the collision, the insult, the fire in her eyes and for reasons he couldn't explain— He couldn't stop thinking about her.
Late that night, someone stood outside Bella's bedroom door watching and waiting silently. A figure lurking in the shadows hidden. Then a low voice whispered into the darkness.
"So she's finally here." The figure smiled.
"And she has no idea who she really is." The shadow disappeared down the hallway. Leaving only one question behind.
Who was Bella Tom really?
