Love Like Fiery Ashes

Bella Swan stood on the rooftop of the Empire State Building, looking down from the tallest building in the city, with the entire citys night view at her feet. The city was brilliant with lights, but none belonged to her.

She took out her phone and dialed a number without a name but etched in her bones.

Two beeps later, the call was unsurprisingly hung up.

She gave a self-mocking smile and redialed with determination.

This time the call was finally answered. Before the other side could speak, Bella preempted, "Jason Bourne, Im standing on the rooftop of your building right now."

The indifferent voice came from the other end: "So what? What do you want to do?"

Hearing the voice that once haunted her dreams, Bella felt a chill from the bottom of her heart: "You let my parents go, or Ill jump off this building. The presidents wife of Stark Industries jumping from the companys rooftop will surely spark interest from the media and the public. When the stock price plummets, see if the board of directors will let you go!"

"Are you threatening me? Very well!" Jason Bournes voice grew colder, "Then your parents will join you shortly. Your family wont be lonely on the road to the underworld."

Tears streamed down Bellas face. She should have known earlier; Jason Bourne is a demon, how could he be intimidated by her words.

The boy who once loved her so much, who played and frolicked with her, who would act coquettish and shameless in front of her, when did he become this man, cold and ruthless to the point of telling her to die.

No, perhaps he never loved at all, it was always her wishful thinking, a plot he directed, but she got into the act.

After all, even the building shes standing on now is a gift from Jason Bourne to Change.

Jason Bourne, Change. Stark Industries.

Change has always been the white rose in his heart.

He married her just to avenge Change.

Ah, her title as the presidents wife is like the worlds biggest joke.

As if hearing Bellas soft sobbing, the voice on the other end said impatiently, "Crazy woman, are you jumping or not? If not, get back to the villa. If I dont see you when I get back later, you know what the consequences will be."

The call was hung up.

Bella stood up weakly, her delicate young face filled with a desolation that did not belong to her age.

If she jumps, all the troubles of the world will no longer have anything to do with her, right? No, she cant die yet, thinking of her parents who are still struggling, she firmed her gaze again.

One last look at this city that never sleeps, she turned and left.

Driving back to the villa, Jason Bourne was already sitting on the sofa waiting.

He was dressed in a dark blue suit, as if he had just returned from a banquet, a cigarette still unlit between his slender fingers.

He glanced at her with a sneer, "Not bad, Bella, youve learned to threaten me now?"

Bella stood at the door, looking at the man she had loved for three years: "Jason Bourne, I say it again, my father had nothing to do with that surgery!"

"You say its unrelated, and it is? If it werent for your fathers failed surgery, how could Change have a miscarriage and never be able to have children again? And how could she jump into the sea unable to bear the stimulation? Your familys lives are not enough to repay this debt."

Bella gave up explaining to him, approached him helplessly, and softened her voice in a plea: "Jason, for the sake of the feelings weve had over the years, let me bear all of this, just let my parents go, okay?"

"What about you? Are you qualified? What are you?" Jason Bourne pinched her cheek and said with hatred, then softened his voice, as if whispering between lovers, "Dont worry, your whole family, none will be spared."

After saying that, he disgustedly let go of her, took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, and threw the wiped handkerchief at Bella. He looked disgusted as if he had touched something dirty.

"You stay here and behave, dont cause any more trouble. As for your father, ha ha..." Jason Bourne gave an ambiguous laugh and walked out of the villa.