Bella's Choice (43 page)

André held out his hands and waited for her to place hers within them, and out of the corner of her eyes she saw Thomas moving closer. Aldrich’s hand was still on her shoulder, which gave her the strength to proceed and finally she met his steel-gray eyes. Now they were softer, pretty even, like a clear alabaster radiating trust and care.

She placed her hands in his.

“Anabella,” he started, his voice so low and soft she had to strain to hear. “I’m so pleased that you were willing to meet me under such circumstances.” They both swallowed in remembrance. “I wish I could turn back the clock and remove the memory completely from your mind, but it would be impossible. Sorry will never cover, or excuse, what I wanted to do to you.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Anabella blinked a tear away.

“What I did to you,” he corrected. “I was obsessed with you and wanted you all for myself. I was blind to anything else. I had no consideration for you as a woman, or person. I wanted you and it didn’t matter how. But after that night, I have done much introspection. I met Thomas and Annie who helped me to see the error of my ways and I wanted to rectify it as best I can.”

He looked at Aldrich and then at Anabella. “I implore of you both. Please forgive me for my part in the attack. For thinking less of you and mistreating you the way I did. There’s no excuse for that, but nevertheless I need your forgiveness as mush as Aldrich’s. I want to start over, if you will let me, Anabella. You are a lovely young woman I almost destroyed with my selfishness. Please, if it is in your heart, could you find a way to forgive me?” He grew silent, the pressure his hands caused her during his confession was painful.

She made to move her hands, and immediately he let go, blushing. Anabella watched the man, looking past all the gray to see the kindness in the eyes and the person buried inside, and all she could see was genuine remorse. She could see the lines of age etched on his face. They looked tired and sad, as if he’d struggled with something for a very long time.

“I have lost all contact with my former life. I have turned my back on that lifestyle and in the process met true friends.” He looked at Annie and Thomas and smiled sheepishly. “I hope that I can count you as one, Anabella. I want to be a part of your life as a friend. I still admire you greatly, you and Aldrich.” He looked up at Aldrich before he met her eyes again.

Anabella remembered the night as if it had happened yesterday, the night that had changed her in so many ways. She looked at the people gathered around her―all expectant―especially André, whose eyes were watery; pleading with her to forgive him. Her animosity toward him dwindled before her. As she studied him closely, she sensed the genuine feelings of remorse radiating from him. What touched her more was the fact that he had now turned his back on that life and walked away. That had to have been very diffi
cult. It had consumed him, and she would know, she had been there. But what she saw here, now, was a different man from the man she met that first time at the stairs, the one groping at her. They had both come a long way since then.

“Please, Anabella, say something,” he finally pleaded, after minutes had passed.

“You don’t see my parents anymore?” she finally queried, clearing her throat.

“No, Anabella, I don’t. I have changed my ways and am turning over a new leaf. Please, Anabella, I implore you.” He squeezed her hands, and she could feel Aldrich’s hand pressing down at the same time.

He gently whispered, “Let go of the chain, Bella.”

She met his eyes and gave him a lopsided grin, before meeting Andre’s again. “I forgive you, André,” she said softly, squeezing his hands.

“Oh, honey, those are the most beautiful words I have ever heard.” Tears ran down his face and his shoulders shook with pent-up emotion. “Do you mean that?”

“Yes, I do.” He hugged her with the greatest affection. “You have made me the happiest man. I don’t deserve this.” He turned to everyone present. “None of this. And now I have a lot to make up for, but this gives me hope to continue.”

“That is right, my friend,” Thomas concurred, “you have come a long way.”

“Yes, thanks to all of you.” He sat back on his haunches for a few seconds just to allow the greatness of it all to sink in, then got up with a huge grin on his face.

“You did good, Bella. I’m so proud of you,” Aldrich said softly. “How do you feel?”

She looked at him, and then smiled. “Wonderful, Aldi, as if a weight has fallen away.”

“I am so happy for you, sweetheart.”

Epilogue

E
ight years passed by very quickly.

Aldrich was sitting in the waiting room of the maternity ward, a proud but very tired smile on his lips. His father had left to check on the kids he adored, who were currently with Monica and Sam; they’d offered to babysit the bunch. Her friend
’s wedding had taken place three years ago, and Monica was now expecting their first child.

He rested his head against the wall, thinking about Anabella and how much they still loved one another after all these years. She had truly made him the happiest man. Their twin girls had just been born, making it a total of five kids. With a lopsided grin he thought how busy they had been over the last few years. His collogues ridiculed him for his efforts but he couldn’t help himself, so he just shrugged them off and smiled.

They still had contact with André, given that he and his father were good friends. The man was now a dedicated husband.

After six months of marriage, they received word that Anabella’s parents were involved in a horrific crash. A heavy vehicle
had jacked-knifed, rolled into them, and burst into flames. There were no bodies to identify. When she received the news, she wiped away one tear, and that was the last time she ever showed any emotion where they were concerned.

Anabella and her brothers inherited quite a substantial amount of money, which was divided equally between them. The house was sold and when they wanted to give her her due portion, she refused to have any part of it.

Roy was madly in love with Wanda and finally asked the big question. They got married a week after the funeral. He had a brilliant mind and worked as a stockbroker; he was doing well as a businessman. He was also a wonderful husband and father, and their second child was expected within the next month.

Derek was not so l
ucky. He and Frank separated within a year, but then he met Tony―a software designer. Together they started a business creating websites, which he admitted Tony was brilliant at. Their relationship also died down, although the business continued. It led him to meet another businessman, Ralph Haden―an Englishman―who traveled between London and South Africa regularly. For now, it was going smoothly, but only time would tell if it would last. Although they had spoken to Derek a few times about the Word and what God had to say, he was convinced that this was the life he wanted to live. They showed him respect and love, accepting him for whom he was. Plus, the kids adored him.

With her part of the inheritance, Anabella bought them a beautiful house, two houses away from his dad’s house, and renovated it to her liking. Anabella started the Sports Institute with the rest of her inheritance. Her coach, Mr. Clark, became a partner. The two of them were a good team, developing, managing and coaching talented newcomers to swimming.

They kept his apartment, or love nest as they called it; their place in which they could hide from their hectic life and where they spent time with each other, enjoying his favorite dessert often.

Anabella returned with four gold medals from the Olympics. It was a joyous occasion and was celebrated thoroughly. When her obligations toward her sport were completed, she retired.

At first, Aldrich wanted to stop her from doing this because she’d worked hard to accomplish her goals and to just walk away made him feel like she was cheating herself out of greater things. She could have continued for at least another ten years, but she had been adamant in her decision. Eleven months later, the twins, Thomas and Richard, were born; they were named after his father, and of course, Mr. Richter, whose name was Richard. Three years later, Sarah was born, named after his mother―a sweet gesture from his loving wife. Now the new born twins, Monica and Danielle, were named after her best friend and Mrs. Richter.

The kids kept them busy and at times he wondered where they would find the time for themselves, but they managed. They always did. He smiled crookedly. Anabella had become a first-rate mum, handling the bunch much like a team, showing them all the love she could muster. She still had a gorgeous shape, her body well taken care of and still as fit as always.

He became her partner shortly after the birth of the first twins, and for the last five years was practicing on his own, helping with contracts for the institute and taking on cases for the loyal clients who had chosen to stay with him when he’d left.

As often as they could, they would visit the beach house, commiserating with Mr. Copeland at the resort, now an honorary and loving uncle to their family.

Their kids loved the beach. Thomas was showing that he would follow in his mother’s footsteps. Richard had an inquisitive mind, with a righteous attitude, and showed a keen interest in his work. Sarah loved sports, all sports, but which one she would choose was still to be seen, after all, she was only four.

With the newest additions added to their life it had just become more exciting, but his Bella had also warned him that this would be the last pregnancy, which he was grateful for. Not that he would ever
say anything to her about it. In the end, what she wanted to do with her life would always be her choice. Not his. He was just happy―and so very thankful―that she had tagged him along.

AUTHOR’S
HISTORY

Lynelle Clark is a native of South Africa.

Born again in 1992, she’s had a love for the Word since then. “I have learned about God’s faithfulness, and His love and provision through life’s trials and tribulations.”

In 2010, she started writing her first story.

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