Chapter 48: Meet Dax

Lewis Sinclair asked, "How long will you stay in this country?" 

He was worried that Bella would only stay in the country for a short time and his grandson wouldn't have the chance to apologize to her and pursue her again.

"I will not go anywhere, Grandpa. My plan is to settle in the capital."

"Oh? I didn't know that." Lewis Sinclair was surprised. He thought Bella would no longer return to the capital and stay in this province with her family.

"Yes. I'm only here for about a week." She didn't want to hide anything from Grandpa Sinclair, afraid he would be disappointed again. 

Bella also wanted this old man to stop punishing his family and hide in this remote place. She worried something terrible had happened to him because he was no longer young.

A frown appeared on Lewis's forehead as if he was thinking about something, knowing that Bella would return to the capital.

"And for that reason, I asked you to return to the capital. There's no point in you staying here alone, and you won't have any friends to talk to, either."

Lewis was a little confused to hear Bella's words. Still, when he remembered his promise to Tristan — he would return if Tristan could bring Bella to their family — he shook his head. He had to stay here; if he returned now, Tristan wouldn't rush after Bella.

Lewis smiled warmly before saying calmly, "It's okay, Bella. All of them won't learn anything if I go back now. I'll just stay here for a few years and then return to the capital."

Trying to convince him to return to the capital is pointless if he doesn't want to. Therefore, Bella puts that aside and can only wish him good health during his stay in the village.

"No need to worry about me, my dear. I won't be lonely here; I have Alan and my best friend, Isaac. You know your Grandpa also decided to stay in this village, right?" Lewis asked. 

Bella was taken aback by what she heard. Her Grandpa had not informed Lewis about his intention to move with them. 

Observing how delighted Grandpa Lewis was that his best friend would stay in this village, Bella began to feel sorry for him.

"Grandpa Sinclair, my Grandpa, decided to move to the capital with us..." Bella faintly said. 

Suddenly, the light in Lewis Sinclair's eyes slowly dimmed when he heard the news. "Is what you said true? Why didn't Isaac tell me anything?" The disappointment is clearly heard in his voice.

"Yes, Grandpa. Maybe because he just decided this morning, he didn't have a chance to inform you." 

"By the way, where is Isaac? Why hasn't he joined us yet?" Lewis felt strange because his friend, who usually welcomed him, had been nowhere to be seen since he had entered the house. 

"Did he go somewhere?" he asked again but dismissed that idea instantly because he saw Isaac's car still parked outside.

Without Bella realizing it, her hands, resting on her lap, slowly clenched into fists. She was nervous about where to start explaining to him about Dax.

"Isaac, really return to the city?" Lewis fixed his gaze on Bella. 

She shook her head, "No. He was fishing at the lake." 

"Unbelievable!" Lewis Sinclair was amused. "That old geezer, how could he immediately go fishing in this cold temperature right after he was discharged from the hospital?"

Lewis decided to join Isaac on the lake and would talk to Bella later. "Bella, I'd like to invite you to dinner at my place tomorrow. I hope you won't refuse."

Despite her worry that she will encounter Tristan there, she still nods at him. "I will come, Grandpa."

"Perfect, my dear..." Lewis got ready to stand up, wanting to catch up with Isaac at the lake. "We can continue talking again tomorrow; I need to scold Isaac."

"Grandpa, please stay. There's something I want to ask you—" Bella stopped him. She had not yet finished talking to him. 

Lewis was surprised; he sat again and looked at Bella, "Yes, dear?" 

"Grandpa, I hope you don't tell Tristan or anyone else about my arrival in this country," Bella asked seriously, which left Lewis a little stunned.

Lewis also heard Isaac warning him about this matter when he called him yesterday, but hearing the words directly from her made him worry — his grandson's chance to win Bella's heart was thin as paper.

"Do you hate him so much that you don't want to meet him again?" Sadness could be heard in his voice, followed by a deep, heavy breath.

"I'm just not ready to meet him. I—" She opened her mouth to continue her words, but somehow, her words just vanished. She feels blank. How annoying!

"Oh, my dear Bella... There's no need to explain. I can understand and agree with your request," Lewis said softly. Even though he was actually disappointed with Bella's refusal to meet his grandson, he didn't want to force her. It was still too early. As long as Bella stays in this country, his grandson will still have plenty of time to approach her again.

Bella feels relieved. 

"And... there's something else I want to tell you, Grandpa." 

"Yes, what is it, my dear?" 

"I actually have—" 

"Mommy..." Suddenly, Dax's voice could be heard from behind, and his step rushed to the living room.

Bella was shocked. She looked in the direction of the backdoor and saw her chubby little son running to her while bringing a small bucket. 

"Look... look... I catch a few fish. I win, mommy... Gramps lose—" Dax paused when he saw someone else in the room. He was slightly stunned when his eyes met the older man's deep blue eyes staring back at him. 

Dax frowned before he turned his gaze at his mother.

Bella was speechless. 

"B-Bella, who is this—" Lewis, who was still shocked to hear a boy calling Bella Mommy, was even more shocked when he saw that the boy looked familiar with someone he knew.

Bella smiled faintly at Old Sinclair before she wanted to answer him. She felt Dax's small hand holding her hand. 

"Mom, I need to talk to you. Please—"