Shattered Longings Novel

Chapter 31 Never Wanted to See Him This Badly Before

That night, Bella was plagued by restless nightmares. When she finally woke up, the details of the dreams had already faded, leaving behind only a lingering sense of panic and fear. It felt as if she had lost something in her dreams, but she couldn’t remember what it was.

The morning sun was shining brightly outside, and after her usual routine of tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, she decided to buy some fruit and fresh flowers and visit Dorothy’s grave.

It was her first time visiting since she had returned. She couldn’t quite explain it, but she had felt a subtle resistance before, maybe even fear.

Perhaps it wasn’t resistance but rather a deep fear that the grave would remind her that everyone she cared about had left her, leaving her all alone.

The grass around the cemetery was lush, with tall, nameless trees providing shade. A gentle breeze rustled through, as if afraid to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

The small black–and–white photo on Dorothy’s tombstone was dust–covered, making it hard to see clearly. Bella used her sleeve to carefully wipe it clean, revealing Dorothy’s gentle smile. She smiled back.

“Mom, I’m here.”

In the lower–left corner of the tombstone, there were a few lines of small text listing the people connected to the deceased. Bella’s name was there, along with Richard’s.

“Beloved daughter, Bella Jones“.

“Friend, Richard Miller“.

Friend. Bella wished so much that Richard and Dorothy had been just ordinary friends. If that had been the case, maybe she and Dominic could have met under better circumstances.

Even if it didn’t work out in the end, at least she could have stood in the light, openly telling him that she

liked him.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Bella turned, her brow furrowing slightly. It was the same man who had brought a child to the hospital. that day to harass her.

He was holding some ropes and other tools, seemingly on his way to work. When he saw her, he stopped, his expression clearly unfriendly.

The area around the cemetery was quiet and secluded, with hardly anyone around. Upon realizing this, Bella’s heart started to race with fear. Even though Leonard had dealt with her previous troubles, there was no guarantee that this man wouldn’t take revenge on her now.

Pretending not to see him, she tried to leave by taking a different path, but the man quickly rushed forward and tackled her to the ground.

She screamed for help, kicking and flailing her arms, but the strength difference between them was too great. The man’s large hand clamped down tightly over her mouth and nose.

“You damn woman, I lost my son, and I’m in a foul mood. I asked for some money, and you wouldn’t give. 1t, and then you went and got someone to mess with me! Who’s going to save you now? I told you, just

hand over the money and keep your life, but no, you had to push it!”

Bella couldn’t speak, only able to make muffled sounds as tears welled up from the suffocating fear,

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She was beyond terrified, and Dominic’s face flashed in her mind. She had never wanted to see him this badly before.

Her pale skin contrasted sharply with the man’s bronze complexion, her fairness almost dazzling in the sunlight.

The man’s grip suddenly loosened slightly, and the malice in his expression shifted to something more lecherous. “You’re pretty good–looking. Let’s have some fun before you die. Maybe that’ll make it easier for you.”

Bella struggled even harder, her fear now mixed with a fierce determination not to be violated. Annoyed, the man raised his hand and slapped her across the face, leaving a bright red mark on her cheek.

She glared at him with a mix of terror and defiance. Despite her fear, her pride refused to let her be trampled on.

Her intense gaze unnerved the man, who had never seen a woman look sa vicious. He was angry and unsettled as he picked up a rock and smashed it down on Bella’s head.