Twisted Ties of Love (Izabella Salotti and Brett) novel Chapter 615

Nate had once taken in a Samoyed, a furry beast with snow-white fur that was a handful to maintain. The long, pure white coat was a magnet for dirt and the shedding was relentless. Not to mention, the Samoyed was one of the notorious "destructive trio" when it came to pets – high maintenance was an understatement.

Yet Nate had devoted nearly a decade to that dog. No matter how drained he was from his day, he'd come home and spend time tossing a ball, brushing out the dog's thick fur, and ensuring it got the best care: regular vet checks, grooming sessions, deworming, the works.

His patience with the dog far outstripped his patience with people. With Bell, for instance.

Nate never loved Bell, but Bell loved him, and it gave him a blind confidence. He figured she'd never leave unless he was the one to push her away. And, sure enough, he eventually did.

To be honest, he felt a twinge of loss, but it was fleeting – like the brief pang of a child who has lost a toy, soon forgotten.

Even after pushing Bell out of his life, Nate was cocky enough to believe she'd never get over him. Why? Because she was, in his mind, weak-hearted.

Those who love deeply often face betrayal. The beloved always seems to take that love for granted, and when the scales of affection are so unbalanced, a breakup is inevitable.

Bell had played a lonely, thankless role in their relationship, like a lowly jester performing solo to an indifferent court.

When Nate had passed Bell off to Brett, he'd guessed it would irritate his old adversary. Nate took a perverse pleasure in poking the bear, so to speak, seeing Brett lose his cool.

He had always played this game. Like that time he demanded Bell in exchange for Kaley Cornett, tormenting her, filming it, and sending the footage to Brett just to get a rise out of him. Or the time he kept the truth about who really saved Brett – not Kaley, but Bell – to himself, just to watch Brett agonize over his mistakes. Even setting the stage for Bell's suicide, only to reveal the truth afterward, was all part of Nate's cruel game.

His goal had always been to break Brett, to see him reduced to nothing, to ensure the Windhams would wash their hands of him once and for all.

Somehow, Brett had remained unbroken, even after Bell's death. Every time Nate thought about it, he felt a pang of regret that Bell's death had been in vain.

Nate hadn't expected to miss Bell, but the first day without her left a hollow feeling inside him. He had to remind himself that it was just a matter of getting used to her absence, the lack of someone to look after him, to cook meals he'd grown fond of.

He rang Brett, who hung up without ceremony. Nate called again, Brett hung up again, and eventually, he got blocked. Taking a short break, Nate switched phones, put in a new SIM card, and called once more. This time, Brett answered.

Before Brett could speak, Nate lounged back on the sofa, legs crossed nonchalantly on the coffee table, phone in hand. "Enjoying the gift I sent you last night, Brett? Did she take your breath away? Remind you of dear, departed Bell, perhaps?"

Brett's breath hitched on the other end, a chill palpable even through the phone line.

"It's a gift, Brett. A year of my time, training a perfect stand-in. She's got Bell's looks, plays the violin, cooks like a dream. Kept her around for my amusement, a little taste of what you Windhams used to enjoy. Though, to be honest, she lacks Bell's spirit. Anyway, now that I'm bored, I'm passing her on to you. Shouldn't you be thanking me?"

Nate knew Brett despised him, not just for his role in Bell's demise but for this mockery of a replacement – keeping a lookalike around as a plaything, an insult to Brett's memory of Bell.

"Nathaniel," Brett's voice was a low tremble, barely containing his rage.

Nate could almost see Brett's expression, a smirk curling on his lips.

"Upset, are we? Funny, considering how you once offered Bell up for my... entertainment. And now you're unhappy with the return gesture?"

The call ended abruptly, leaving Nate in a sudden silence that was heavier than mere emptiness. It was loneliness.

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