บท 289: They Weren't That Close

Pacing around the office while waiting for Sam, Bella finally called her mother's cell phone for the first time in years. 

However, her face turned stiff when the call didn't connect.

Bella's steps halted as her eyes stared at her phone, confused.

"Did Mom change her cell phone number?" she mumbled, trying to call again.

The result was the same. Bella could only hear the automated voice from the other end.

"The number you are calling is not active!"

Sighing deeply, Bella tried to dismiss her worries that her father had found her mother and would torture her again.

"No... Mom must have turned off her cell phone to avoid Father finding her, right? She will be fine! I hope she is in a safe place now..." she tried to convince herself.

Before long,

Bella finally heard a knock on the door and saw Sam appear behind it.