Chapter 5

5 Twists and Turns 5 Twists and Turns Emma, her patience wearing thin, faced the absurd situation unfolding around her. “What do you want from me now?” she demanded.

“You are going to drive us to the hospital,” Alex commanded, cradling Bella gently as he headed for the door.

Momentarily frozen, Emma was jolted into action by her mother–in–law’s spiteful shove. “Hurry up, if anything happens to Bella, it’s on you!” She hissed.

Emma, observing her mother–in–law’s bitter demeanor, sensed her lack of genuine concern for Bella.

With a morbid curiosity about the unfolding drama, she took the car keys and drove them to the hospital.

Alex was busy on the phone, arranging VIP treatment for Bella’s minor injury, which made Emma almost laugh at the overreaction as she drove well below the speed limit to the hospital. This was not the time to get on the wrong side of the law because of a senseless drama queen like Bella. Despite Alex’s urging to speed up so they get to the hospital on time, Emma maintained her sedate pace.

At the hospital, the medical staff, already alerted, hurriedly attended to Bella, making a show of urgency. Emma was genuinely amused as she saw most of the hospital staff were star–struck at attending to one of the highest–paid movie stars in the city.

Emerging from the theater, Bella’s condition was announced as non–critical by the doctor, much to Emma’s dark amusement. The whole situation seemed more theatrical than serious. Bella had suffered just a minor cut, yet everyone made it seem as she had broken her arm or ribs or something.

Alex, relieved but completely oblivious to the overreaction, focused only on Bella’s well–being. Emma observed the dramatics with a detached air, her heart aching with unacknowledged pain.

As she was about to leave, a call from her estranged brother stopped her. Hearing his voice after years of separation brought tears to her eyes, a reminder of the family bond that still existed.

Meanwhile, Alex remained by Bella’s side, her first concern upon waking being Emma’s whereabouts.

Alex waved outside, indicating that Emma was probably out their loitering in the hospital waiting TOOM.

“Truth be told, this wasn’t Emma’s doing. Please, talk to her,” Bella implored.

Alex, irritated, dismissed her pleas. “She’s gone, and now more scandal about you is surfacing. It’s all her doing, and she’s going to pay for it!” He concluded, convinced of Emma’s guilt.

Despite Bella’s insistence on Emma’s innocence and willingness to forgive any supposed wrongdoing, Alex remained adamantly against Emma, refusing to hear anything in her defense.

Bella’s relief at Alex’s promise to protect her career was mixed with an underlying satisfaction. Once Alex left, her facade dropped, revealing a calculating and shrewd side. She knew she needed to find a 5 Twists and Tums way to clear her name amidst the escalating scandals.