The Contract Bride of Mr. Reid-Chapter 131: The designs

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Willow stared at Bella, astonishment etched on her face. She had been merely teasing, but Bella had taken her offer with startling seriousness.

"What about Theodore?" Willow managed to stammer, still in shock.

Bella was unsure how her husband would react, but she wasn’t about to let Willow feel upset. "Don’t worry," she assured, plastering on a smile. "I’ll make it up to him."

The smile was gentle but determined, carrying a promise that she would find a way to smooth things over with Theodore later.

Willow’s heart swelled with gratitude and warmth. It felt as though she had discovered a sister in Bella, someone who would always stand by her, no matter the circumstances.

Overcome with emotion, Willow rose from her chair and crossed the room to where Bella stood. She wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a tight, heartfelt embrace. "Thank you, Bella," she whispered. "It means the world to me."

Bella returned the embrace, her own heart full. "Theodore’s sister is my sister," she said softly, her words filled with sincerity. "I can fight with Theodore and defy him if I have to, but not you. Your wishes should always be fulfilled, and I believe Theodore won’t mind if I go with you."

Willow couldn’t help but grin at Bella’s cleverness. "Smart, huh!" she teased, a playful glint returning to her eyes as she smirked. "By making me happy, you are actually making your husband happy. You have a unique way to please him."

Bella chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Holding the file, she said, "I’ll get to work then."

"Yeah, don’t forget to check your designs all well," Willow reminded her. "All look just mind-blowing."

Bella grinned. "I definitely will." With that, she turned and left the room.

At Joshua’s studio...

Bella arrived at Joshua’s studio a few minutes later, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors as she made her way through the quiet lobby. She carried a file close to her chest, her thoughts focused on the task at hand. When she finally reached Joshua’s workspace, she found him absorbed in his work.

Joshua looked up at him and greeted her with a blooming smile. "Bella, good morning. You are shining like sunshine."

Bella chuckled. "Good morning, Joshua," she greeted him back. "Willow wants all the designs to be ready by next month." Bella handed over the file.

Joshua took the file, his eyes scanning the designs. As he flipped through the pages, a smile began to spread across his face.

"These are just perfect. I love her work," he said, looking up to meet Bella’s gaze with a reassuring nod. "Tell her not to worry. I’ll make sure all the designs are ready on time."

Bella hesitated for a moment, then gathered the courage to speak. "Um, Joshua, I heard my dresses are ready," she said, her heart beating a little faster with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Can I see them?"

"Oh, darling!" Joshua’s face lit up with enthusiasm, placing a hand over his chest dramatically. "Those are masterpieces. The designs are unique. Come, I’ll show you."

With that, he led her out of his cabin and down the hallway to another room.

The space was filled with an air of creative energy, and the sight that greeted Bella as she stepped inside took her breath away. Several designer dresses were hung meticulously on hangers, each one more stunning than the last. The fabrics shimmered under the soft lighting, the intricate details and craftsmanship evident in every stitch.

Bella stood in awe, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of the gowns before her. "These designs are beautiful."

Joshua, clearly pleased with her reaction, flashed her a warm smile. "Yours are also beautiful."

Bella knew deep down that it was because of Willow’s influence that Joshua had agreed to work on her designs, and the gratitude she felt was overwhelming. "Thank you so much, Joshua."

Joshua waved off her thanks with a playful grin. "Thank me later. First, take a look at these," he said, gesturing toward the dresses hanging neatly on the racks.

Bella was momentarily stunned as she stood in front of the dresses, her breath catching in her throat. The designs were exactly as she had drawn as if the drawings she had sketched on paper had somehow sprung to life. The fabric, the colors, the intricate details—it was all there, just as she had imagined.

Bella stepped closer, her fingers lightly brushing against the fabric of one of the gowns. The nervous energy that had been building in her chest slowly gave way to a warm sense of satisfaction and pride.

"Wow! These are just perfect," she mumbled, more to herself than to Joshua, still in awe of how her vision had been brought to life.

Joshua smiled, pleased with her reaction. "You are naturally talented, Bella. I know these dresses are going to set fire to the show."

Bella blushed at the compliment, her cheeks warming. "Thank you," she said softly with pride and gratitude.

"Do you want to keep them here until the show? Or shall I deliver them to your place?"

Bella thought for a moment, then decided. "I’ll take them to my place."

"Very well, I’ll make the arrangements," Joshua replied with a nod.

After a few more minutes of pleasant conversation, Bella thanked Joshua once more and took her leave, feeling a sense of accomplishment and excitement bubbling within her. She stepped out of the room and began making her way toward the studio’s entrance, her mind still buzzing with excitement.

But as she neared the exit, she froze. Standing in the doorway was the last person she wanted to see—Gina. The surprise on Gina’s face was palpable, her eyes widening as she saw Bella.

"You!" Gina exclaimed sharply with disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

Bella’s heart sank at the sight of the woman who had unwittingly become the source of turmoil in her life. In an instant, memories of Theodore and Gina together flashed through her mind, followed by the echo of Claudia’s manipulative words.

A surge of anger and resentment welled up inside her, threatening to spill over. For a brief moment, she considered snapping at Gina, letting all her frustration and hurt boil over. But she quickly pushed the emotions down, reminding herself where she was. She couldn’t allow herself to create a scene here, no matter how much she wanted to confront Gina.

Bella took a deep breath, forcing a calm expression onto her face. "Just handling some work." She fought to keep her tone steady, but the tension in her jaw and the flicker of anger in her eyes were hard to conceal.