Twisted Ties of Love (Izabella Salotti and Brett) novel Chapter 616

"Bell... I'm parched. Get me a glass of water, will ya?" Nathaniel called out repeatedly, but no one answered. His temper flared in an instant, and he ripped off the tie strangling his neck, flinging it to the floor.

"Bell!"

The timid voice of the driver came from behind, "Mr. Krueger, Ms. Salotti left last night, remember?"

"Left? Where the hell did she go?" Nathaniel's mind raced, then it hit him—he had sent Bell packing, even told her to go and keep Brett company.

Old habits die hard. He was so used to Bell always waiting for him on the living room couch, no matter how late he returned. She'd ask if he was hungry, fuss over him, offering comfort, and a hot cup of tea. She knew about his ulcer, and whenever she caught a whiff of liquor on his breath, she'd whip up a hangover remedy and have antacids and a hot water bottle ready.

Nathaniel's stomach issues had plagued him since childhood. With no one to prepare meals, he'd often rummage through dumpsters, leading to a serious gastrointestinal condition that frequently landed him in the hospital.

Bell had seen him doubled over in pain from his stomach ailments, reacting as if she herself were ill.

The driver, seeing Nathaniel slumped on the couch, one hand cradling his head and the other on his belly, his unkempt hair obscuring his expression, hesitated to leave him alone. After hearing his request for water, the driver went to the kitchen, returned with a glass of lukewarm water, and approached just in time to hear a moan escape Nathaniel's lips, realizing he had been silently enduring the pain.

"Mr. Krueger, your water," the driver said, offering the glass.

Nathaniel looked up with reddened eyes, took the glass, and felt the warmth spread from the surface. He took a sip of the plain water—flavorless, yet for some reason, it seemed less refreshing than the water Bell used to bring to his lips.

"Did Bell say anything when you took her to the hotel?"

The driver pondered for a moment. Bell had been quiet, but she did say one thing.

"Ms. Salotti just said, 'Once something is sent away, it can't come back.'" The driver's expression twisted, as if debating whether to relay the rest of the conversation. After a long pause, he ventured, "Mr. Krueger, do you want me to ask Ms. Salotti to come back? She seemed pretty down when she left."

"Left?" Nathaniel latched onto that word.

"Ms. Salotti came back for a bit last night, grabbed her luggage and left. I noticed her hands and feet were injured."

Bell was gone?

Nathaniel was stunned, frozen on the couch, while the driver couldn't fathom what was going through his mind.

If he cared about Bell, why send her to another man's bed? If he didn't care, why call for her immediately upon returning?

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