Se connecterBelle“Jenna wants us back by six.” I looked up at him. “I’m sorry.”He hesitated, looking almost disappointed, like I was about to spoil the surprise.“James.” I stepped closer and touched his arm. “I’m sorry. Whatever you had planned, I’m ruining it.”His thumb came up and traced along my chin.“It’s not a problem.” His voice softened. “It’s your birthday. You’re the star of the moment.”He glanced past me toward the jet for a second, then back at me.“I was saving this for last anyway. We might as well do it now.”“Do what?”“Come on.”He took my hand and we got back into the car.I watched the streets change outside the window as we drove. Anxiety built in my chest the further we went. The roads got quieter. The buildings got more familiar and I sat forward.“James.” I turned to him. “This is my neighborhood.”He watched me without responding.“I grew up here.” I looked back out the window. Dad’s favorite café. The old pharmacy where Mom used to pick up medicine every now and then
Belle“James.” I sat up and met his eyes, not willing to back down. “You said I could have anything.”“Yes.” His jaw flexed. “Anything but this.”“Why not this?”“Because you don’t know what you’re asking of me, Belle.” He sat up too. “You have no idea.”“I’m asking you to fix a broken family.” I kept my eyes on him. “For all our sakes. For our baby’s sake too.”He seemed conflicted for a moment before he buried it again.“For the love of God.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Just ask me for something else.”“I see you’re a man who goes back on his word.” I tilted my head. “You can’t even keep a birthday promise.”His eyes caught mine. “Belle, you know that’s not true.”“If you can’t give this one thing a shot, then I don’t know what to say to you.” I reached for my pillow and dragged it toward me. “I’m going back to sleep.”I lay back down and closed my eyes.Silence.I heard him exhale. Then I felt him lean closer and felt his face drop to my hair. He stayed there for a second, bre
BelleI felt his lips first.Warm against my collarbone, trailing up the side of my neck, unhurried, like he had nowhere in the world to be and no intention of rushing any of it. My eyes were still closed and I lay there, a smile tugging at my mouth before I was even fully awake.His lips moved along my jaw. Then my chin. Then my cheek.I turned my face toward him and kept my eyes shut and just felt it. His hands were wrapped around me, one at my waist, one at my back, holding me against him like I might drift away if he loosened his grip.It was the best way I had ever been woken up in my life.“Happy birthday, sweet Fox.”My eyes flew open.I stared at him.He was looking at me with a knowing smile, fully aware of what he had done and clearly enjoying every second of it.“It’s my birthday,” I murmured. I pushed myself up onto one elbow and looked at him. “I completely forgot. I haven’t thought about it in weeks.”He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.“How do you know my birt
JamesThe old folks left. Better. I did without them for two decades. I didn’t need them now.I turned to Belle trying to cool my furious emotions. “I did it again. Made a decision for you without asking.” I was just so pissed, and I knew it wasn’t an excuse Belle had to accept, but it was all I had. I didn’t want her judging me for it.“James.” Her eyes studied me with concern. “I know seeing them again was a lot for you.”“I’m sorry. I was so angry I couldn’t think straight.”She watched me for a long moment. “What are you going to do now?”“I don’t want to talk about it.” I headed inside, taking off my clothes and going into the shower.Later in bed, I lay with my head turned away from her. She moved closer and wrapped her arms around me. I turned and tugged her against me, her belly pressing against mine.“They hurt me, Belle.” I whispered, still feeling all the hurt. A part of me felt shame. Because they were right about Angelina. But Tania, she was innocent. I wanted her to live
Belle “Y…your son is dead. He…he had an accident. James couldn’t be him.” My voice came out weak and confused.“It was easier to tell people that I was dead than explain that they disowned their son for stepping up to his responsibility.” James’ eyes carried so much hurt, and every muscle in him locked up.Oh no.My suspicions were right after all.“James, son…” Mrs. Debbie called out and reached for him.“Don’t you dare call me that. Your son is dead, remember.” He stepped back from her touch.“We made a mistake. We’re so sorry.” Debbie pressed forward with tears streaming down her face.“We had no idea where you were until we heard about a growing successful company, Wilders Corporation. Since then, we kept up with you, how you turned your life around, the big things you accomplished. But we didn’t know how to take it all back.” She wrung her hands and looked at him with desperation in every movement.“I don’t want to hear any of this. Just leave.” He turned his back to them.Georg
BelleI stepped out into the living room and it seemed like I was living in another house. Everything was so different.“Belle, you’re awake.” He flashed me his charming smile, but it wasn’t going to get him out of this.“Yeah. I am.” I glanced around the room again, still trying to take it in. “What’s going on here?”“A makeover. You just missed the interior designer. She was such a delight.” He gestured around the room, looking far too pleased with himself.“I know. I’m asking why you would transform the house without letting me know.”“I wanted to surprise you.” He walked closer and searched my face for approval.“Surprise me?” My brows drew together. A small laugh left me. “This is my house, James.”“I know. I thought you’d love it.” His smile faltered and confusion crossed his face.My gaze landed on the new dining set that fit perfectly into the small space, but I refused to let him see that I liked it.“James, I don’t appreciate you making decisions without me. Now I’d have to







