Chapter 4

Bella’s POV

The remaining drive home was engulfed in complete silence. I jumped out of the car the moment it came to a halt, hoping he wouldn’t choose to come in—because I wouldn’t know how to behave.

I glanced at the closed door behind me. I knew Mom and Lisa were probably inside. Mom spent most of her time in the kitchen, while Lisa, as usual, would keep herself busy with office work.

I could sneak to my room without having to face their endless tantrums and questions.

But that hope shattered the moment Kane climbed out of the car. I frowned. “What are you doing?”

I couldn’t believe his guts. After fucking me, he still had the balls to want to meet Lisa? No sense of guilt? Shame? Nothing?

“Going in, of course.” He intentionally bumped his shoulder against mine, causing me to stumble to the side.

My lips parted in an attempt to say something—anything—to stop him, but before I could bring myself to mutter a word, he had reached for the doorbell and pressed it.

Fear spiraled through every fiber of my body. I knew he wouldn’t say anything about what happened between us, but I couldn’t stop the fear that kept echoing in my head.

I bit my lip, fighting back the urge to cry.

The door opened and Lisa came into view. Her face lit up almost immediately upon seeing Kane. She threw herself into his arms. Kane didn’t move to hug her; he just stood there and let her hold him.

“You didn’t tell me you’d come,” Lisa said as she pulled away, but she frowned almost immediately when her eyes found me standing in the far corner.

“Bella?”

I pressed my lips into a thin line and forced a smile. “Yup, it’s me.” I stepped forward, trying so hard to act normal.

Her gaze moved between Kane and me. “Did you two come together?”

I didn’t let the words settle. I blurted before I could think, “No.”

But Kane was in no mood to let me off the hook. “Yes.”

Confusion etched itself onto Lisa’s face at our different responses to the same question. Her eyes narrowed on me, and in that moment it felt like she could see through everything I was trying to hide.

I glanced everywhere but at Lisa. Whatever this was, I had to keep quiet.

“I saw her by the road on my drive here, so I decided to give her a lift…” Kane went on to explain.

But that didn’t stop the glare Lisa was giving me. “What happened to your car?”

“At the mechanic,” I whispered. She gave me a close look. I knew this wasn’t over, but she was willing to push it aside as she let Kane in.

I lingered a little longer outside before following them inside.

Like I had guessed, Mom had just finished cooking and was setting the table. When she saw Kane, her face lit up instantly. The wrinkle lines across her face blurred as if they had never been there, a smile plastering itself across her features.

“Goodness!” she exclaimed, dabbing her hands on the front of her apron in an attempt to clean them.

“Who would’ve thought you’d choose to visit us today of all days?” she continued, stretching out a hand for a shake. But Kane pulled her into a hug she wasn’t expecting.

Neither was I. He acted so calm, so polite—like the perfect gentleman. But underneath that disguise was a monster, a freak, a man who didn’t give a damn about anyone else.

I rolled my eyes. This wasn’t for me. I’d rather go to my room than stay here and watch him fake being someone he isn’t.

I hadn’t even taken a step when Mom’s voice cut through from behind.

“And where are you going, Bella Calvin?” Her voice was sharp and fierce—nothing like the warm, sweet tone she used when speaking to Kane.

“Where else if not to my room, Melissa?” I shot back. Calling my mom by her name is something I do, and the glare she gave me made it clear she didn’t approve.

But who cares? I only do what I want and won’t bend to anyone. Well… there’s an exception now, thanks to whatever trick Kane pulled on me.

“You…” Mom started, anger flaring in her eyes as she stared at me.

I ran my tongue over my teeth, my eyes darting everywhere but her face.

“How did I end up birthing you? A daughter who has no dreams and zero zeal to be something better.” She shook her head in pity.

I knew the kind of thoughts running through her head. She probably wished I had never been part of her life. Or wished I was more like Lisa.

But that’s my problem. I can’t be Lisa. She’s her own person, and she finds happiness in what she does. I don’t. And I am my own person.

Honestly, it’s been a struggle for me just to understand myself. As much as it puzzles them, it puzzles me too. But that’s me—and they just have to deal with it.

Mom took a deep breath, exhaling all the anger and heat she had been holding onto.

“I’m sure you don’t need a personal reminder to join us for dinner.” She turned and continued placing the plates on the table.

Kane’s eyes were on me. He said nothing. I watched him pull out a seat for Lisa and guide her into it as if she couldn’t do it herself.

He turned and found me still standing there. “You heard Mrs. Calvin. Get a seat.” His words were firm—sounded gentle, but the weight of the order pressed down on me.

He knew I wouldn’t stay, so he decided to make me. It didn’t matter if I liked it or not. I bit my lip, fighting back the embarrassment that settled heavy in my chest as I carried myself to the dining table and sat.

I saw the look on both Lisa’s and Melissa’s faces—shocked, surprised that I had done what Kane said without fighting.

I lowered my head, too ashamed to face them. Most especially him.