RAYMOND POV
I picked up Bella from her boarding school, pulling a few strings to get her out for the weekend. Ava had given her permission, and I wanted this time alone with Bella. She was nearing ten, but her smartness is something else, and it was time she knew about my relationship with her mom, even though I can’t tell her it’s fake and just for 6 months. Ava insisted on telling her about the marriage herself, but definitely not the Fake part.
We spent the day hopping from restaurants to parks. She laughed easily at things, her laughter to every one of my jokes is contagious. As we sat on a bench, watching the ducks glide across the pond, I took a deep breath.
“Okay Bella girl, what would you think if someone wanted to marry your mom?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
She looked up, eyes wide. “I would love that!” she exclaimed. “As long as he’s not a bad guy. Maybe then Mom wouldn’t look so sad when I ask about my dad. And I could tell my friends I have a daddy now.”
Her words hi
