Ch 29

Mark and Bella arrived at the arena after their honeymoon. The moment they stepped into the arena, the chaotic energy backstage hit them like a freight train. Bella's senses were on high alert, and Mark stayed close, his protective instincts kicking in.

As they navigated the bustling hallways, Bella spotted Chyna sitting on a bench in a quiet corner, her head in her hands. She had known Chyna long enough to know that she was upset. Without hesitation, Bella broke away from Mark and approached her.

"Chyna?" Bella's voice was soft but concerned as she crouched in front of her. "What's wrong?"

Chyna looked up, her eyes red and puffy. "It's Hunter," she choked out. "He ended things. Out of nowhere. I… I don't understand what I did wrong. We were packing my stuff up and everything just changed in a flash. He won't take my calls. I don't know how I'm going to work with him from now on. I love him. Why would he hurt me like this?"

"Chyna, I'm so sorry." Bella's jaw tightened. She exchanged a glance with Mark, who had joined them. "Everything is going to be ok," she embraced Chyna trying to control the bad feeling creeping into her. "I'll go find him and talk to him."

"What's the point? You know Hunter, he made his decision. He is done with me. I just wish he would talk to me and tell me why," Chyna's voice was almost hoarse from hours of crying. "I'm so confused."

"You don't deserve being treated like this. Let Bella and I try to talk to him," Taker said as he saw Kane come around a corner and motioned for him. "Let Kane take you to his locker room. He will look after you while we track Hunter down.

"Come on, you shouldn't be alone, " Kane said firmly, gently helping Chyna up by putting an arm around her as he guided her towards his locker room. He looked at Bella and Mark giving them an assuring look that he would take care of Chyna, "You two go."

Mark nodded, guiding Bella away. "Let's find Hunter," he muttered, his voice laced with determination.

They found Hunter in an empty locker room, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. The moment he saw Bella, his expression darkened.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Bella demanded, storming into the room. "Why are you treating Chyna like this? Why would you break up with her? She is supposed to move in with you. You were just talking about marrying her a few weeks ago. What is going on? You haven't been yourself at all and ripping Chyna's heart out proves it."

Hunter's temper flared. "Stay out of my business, Bella! You have no idea what's at stake here."

"Then tell me!" she shouted back. "I can't help if you won't let me in. You're my brother, Hunter. Stop shutting me out!"

"I don't have to tell you anything. I'm doing what I need to do for this family like I've been doing since Mom and Dad passed away. You have to stop worrying. Concentrate on your life with Mark and don't worry about mine," his raised tone made her tense up.

"I'm going to worry. There is nothing you can do that will make me stop worrying about you and Samantha. Just tell me Hunter! Stop the games!" she exclaimed as Taker gently grabbed her arm, keeping her from getting any closer to Hunter. Hunter stared at her seeing all the pain in her eyes and hating himself for being the reason for it. He took a deep breathe trying to work up the nerve to just spill everything to her and deal with the aftermath.

"I'm not ….," Hunter stopped when he heard a commotion in the hallway.

"Enough!" Vince snapped as he entered the room. "Both of you, knock it off. We have a show to run in a few hours, and I don't have time for your family drama. This isn't the place or time. I'm warning you both to drop it now or face the consequences." Hunter glared at Vince but fell silent. Vince turned his attention to Bella, his tone sharp. "Bella, I suggest you get yourself under control. I don't tolerate outbursts like this. And Mark," he added, his voice lowering menacingly as he looked at the Undertaker, "you better keep your wife in line," Vince saw the surprise in both Taker's and Bella's face when he said Bella was Mark's wife. "I heard you two got married for real. Not sure why you didn't tell me but that doesn't matter right now. Bella's behavior is what matters right now. You better teach your wife the backstage rules quickly."

"Hunter caused this, not my wife. She has a right to be upset and don't you tell me what to do with my wife. You didn't need to know we got married, that is our personal business. You don't want to start issues with me," Taker shot back as Bella's eyes narrowed in anger like she was going to say something, but his firm grip on her arm stopped her from saying anything further. "We are going to go get ready for the show," he gently guided Bella from the room as Hunter collapsed to his knees in frustration and sadness.

Back in the locker room, Mark sat Bella down, his green eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry Bella," he said gently.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," she caressed his face. "Thank you for standing up for me with Vince. I don't want you to get in trouble for my outburst. I couldn't control it. I just want Hunter to tell me what is going on."

"I don't give a damn about getting in trouble. Vince needs to watch what he says. I don't care he is the boss," Mark fumed. "Do you think Hunter told him we got married?"

"It wouldn't surprise me if he did," Bella softly sighed. "I feel like I don't know my own brother anymore. I need to figure out what is going on with him."

"We will figure it out. Unfortunately you need to get to a run through and I have a meeting. Are you going to be ok?" Mark searched her eyes, seeing an endless mix of emotions.

"I really don't know," she whispered as he pulled her into a tight embrace holding her for a few minutes.

"Come on lets go get this over with," he said as Bella took a deep breath, nodding.

Bella had gotten through the run throughs for the night even when she had to deal with Hunter. She kept in character not letting her personal feelings creep in. But as she headed to makeup, the uneasy feeling in her chest took her over for a moment and when she sat down in the chair she let the tears out. She softly sobbed burying her face in her hands not noticing her niece Samantha enter the room.

"Aunt Bella, what's wrong?" Samantha asked. "Why are you crying?"

Bella swallowed hard, lowering her hands wiping her tears away.. "Everything's fine, sweetheart. Just a busy day. I'm worn out and my emotions are getting the best of me."

Samantha frowned. "I don't believe you. Something's wrong. Is it my dad? He hasn't been acting like himself. He doesn't think I heard him on the phone but I know he broke up with Chyna."

Bella hesitated but ultimately shook her head. "It's nothing for you to worry about. Your Dad is going through some stuff. I promise everything will be ok."

"It doesn't feel like everything will be ok," Samantha stared at her aunt. "Please tell me, is my Dad the reason you're crying? Please talk to me, Aunt Bella."

Bella stared at her niece knowing she couldn't lie to her. "Your Dad is upsetting me. I thought he was happy with Chyna. I'm confused by the way he is acting and he won't talk to me. I really don't want you to worry. Arguments and disagreements are part of being a family. I love you and I will make sure everything is ok."

"I love you too. I don't like how my Dad is acting," Samantha confessed, bringing more tears to Bella's eyes.

"I don't either sweetheart, but it will be ok," Bella stood up hugging her niece, wishing she could shelter her from whatever storm was going to come when she finally got Hunter to confess what he was hiding.

Samantha waited till her aunt was busy getting her hair done before she quietly snuck out to find her Dad. She finally found him sitting in his locker room. His face was buried in his hands and he looked absolutely defeated.

"Dad," Samantha said, her voice steady but soft. "What did you do?"

Hunter looked up, startled. "What are you talking about, Sami?"

Samantha crossed her arms. "Aunt Bella is upset. Whatever it is, you need to tell us the truth. We'll love you no matter what, but you can't keep hiding things."

Hunter's defenses crumbled under his daughter's gaze. He pulled her into a hug, his voice breaking. "Everything's fine, sweetheart. I promise. Don't worry about any of this. I'm just going through some things. I'm working them out. I love your aunt and you more than anything. I didn't mean to upset Aunt Bella."

"She is very upset. She was crying. Why did you break up with Chyna?"

"You're not old enough to understand but one day you will understand that relationships are very tough sometimes. I'm not the right person for Chyna," his voice cracked as his heart ached, "She deserves someone that can love her completely."

"Dad, are you going to be ok?" Samantha looked up into his eyes and he saw fear in her eyes.

"Yes, I will. What are you afraid of, Sami?"

"I don't want to lose my family. You really need to talk to Aunt Bella and if you did something just tell her. You always said it's wrong to lie so don't lie anymore just tell her the truth please Dad," she pleaded with him, making his heart ache in even more pain.

"You won't lose your family. I will fix everything I promise," he hugged her tighter as his own fears coarse through him. For the first time, he realized the weight of his secrets might cost him not just his sister but his daughter as well. And that was a loss he couldn't bear.