A/N – Thanks for all the reviews! Here are some more answer for you. The next chapter starts the auction!

Chapter 36 – Seeking Comfort

Bella continued to watch Lorenzo closely.

"What happened then?"

Lorenzo took a deep breath. "Luis grew darker and darker. One day, I caught him talking to Arianna and I could tell by the look on her face that she was very upset. For days I tried to get her to tell me what Luis had said to her but she refused. I noticed that she started to get depressed and pushed herself away from you. A few months later, she killed herself. I was beside myself with grief and I couldn't understand how she could do that to us and as a result, I ended up attacking Luis. We got in a huge fight and I almost killed him. I ran for my life and went to stay with a distant relative where I laid in bed for months and months and then got sick and almost died at one point. They got me some help and eventually I got better and just worked my way up in the factory until I ran it. I never married because it was just too painful. Instead, I focused on work, but you have always haunted me."

"What do you want from me, Lorenzo?"

"I came back to face you and apologize." Lorenzo gazed at her beautiful face. He is so ashamed about what he had done and what she had to endure. He still loves her; that will never change.

"I'm not sure I see the point. What's done is done."

Lorenzo nodded. "I understand. You have a right to your feelings and I'm sorry if I scared you. It was not my intention, but I knew that Jason wouldn't let me see you if I had come forward. I understand you're pregnant?"

Liz nodded and smiled. "Yes. I'm scared to death but I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm sure you'll be a great mother."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because you know what not to do and you always had love and brightness within you. This baby is very lucky."

Liz stared at Lorenzo. She doesn't know what to do. All these years she thought Luis was Lorenzo and now, she finds out that it was all lies.

"Thank you for saying that."

"It's the truth."

"Are you trying to take over Sonny's territory?"

Johnny almost choked.

"No. I'm not even in the business. Anyway, I've already caused you enough harm. I would never do anything to hurt you again."

Bella stood and Lorenzo followed her lead. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Bella was almost through the door when she heard Lorenzo break down. She stopped and looked at Johnny and then went back inside. Lorenzo had his head down on the table and Liz put her hand on his shoulder. He jumped and then looked up and pulled her into his arms as he sobbed. She started to cry too and they held each other for a moment.

Lorenzo dropped his arms and Liz backed away and then hurried through the door.

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They got in the car and Johnny nervously observed her. She hadn't stopped crying since they had left. He got her upstairs where Jason is waiting.

"Bella?" he said as she crushed herself into his arms. "What happened?" He's ready to kill Lorenzo.

She cherished their embrace for a while longer and then he led them to the couch and retrieved a box of tissues. He waited for her to calm down and then she spoke.

"He told me everything. I just don't know how I feel." It's all so tragic and she thought that maybe it was karma for all her lies.

Jason hugged her tighter.

"I know that he didn't know what Luis was up to, but he still left me. If he had just returned home and claimed me, everything would have been so different. I used to dream every day that he would come to rescue me. I prayed I was adopted and that my parents would find me, but no one ever came for me." She cried softly.

"I'm so sorry, Bella." He kissed her face as he tried to comfort her.

She stared into his eyes. "Don't kill him, okay?" She didn't even wait for an answer. "He told me that he wasn't in the business and he is not the one targeting you. From what he shared with me, he has suffered in his own way. I think there has been enough pain in the Alcazar family for this lifetime."

"Okay."

She let out a deep breath. "Thank you."

"But if he ever tries to hurt you…"

"I know."

He hugged her again. "You hungry?"

Bella smiled.

"We have to keep that baby fed."

Bella's stomach grumbled on cue. "Feed me, baby."

Jason smiled. "Let's go."

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Bella was confused when Jason unlocked her penthouse instead of getting in the elevator.

"Trust me."

She shrugged and moved inside and then a soft smile graced her face when she spots the lit candles on the table. A man walked out of the kitchen.

"Oh, hello," Bella said.

"Hello, ma'am. Dinner is served."

Bella smiled and then sat. The man left and Bella glanced at her man. "Who is that?"

"That's Cook. I stole him from the Quartermaine's."

Bella giggled. "How long before they notice he's missing?"

"Probably around now."

Cook returned with a big bowl of baked macaroni with cheese.

"Damn that looks good," Bella said as he walked away.

"I told him to make comfort food."

"Well I do plan on hugging that bowl," Bella said licking her lips.

He chuckled.

Cook sat some roast beef down and then bought out some vegetables.

"Anything else?"

"No, Cook, this is perfect."

"Thank you so much it looks delicious," Bella said.

Cook smiled and then left them alone to venture back to the mansion.

Someone else entered the room and sat in the corner.

"Who's that?"

"That would be Alice."

"You stole someone else?"

"Yup."

Bella watched as Jason spooned some food onto her plate.

"They're not going to call the cops are they?"

Jason chuckled. "Now that would be funny. They'll probably just order a pizza for dinner."

When he finished dishing the food out, Bella practically inhaled her plate.

"That was so fricken good." She sat back as she rubbed her belly. "I don't think I can move."

Alice moved towards them. "Are you finished?"

"Yes, thank you."

Alice smiled and took the plate.

When Jason finished, she cleared the table.

"I think the baby is very happy."

"Good."

"We have our first ultrasound in a few days."

Jason smiled. "I'll be there."

Alice brought out some dessert.

"Hot Fudge Sundae," she said as she placed it between them.

When Alice walked away, Jason laughed at the look on Bella's face. She grabbed a spoon and took a bite and groaned. "I'm glad Brenda isn't here. We would probably be fighting over this."

Bella ate a few bites more and then flopped back again. "You're going to have to roll me home."

Alice smiled and took the sundae away. She finished cleaning and came back and stood by Jason. "Is there anything else you need, Jason?"

"No, Alice. You were great. There are two envelopes on the table."

Alice nodded. "As you wish. It was a pleasure serving you, Bella."

"Thank you, Alice."

After she left, Bella turned toward Jason. "Alice and Cook seem very nice."

Jason nodded. He loves making her happy. It always amazes him how easy she is to please.