MasukBella's POVWe both failed to realize how time was going by fast, as we kept kissing the entire time, but then I broke the kiss first. Neither of us seemed to know what to do next, so I walked a few feet away from him and turned my back to catch my breath.Then, after a few seconds of breathing, I turned to him and stepped very close to him.“We shouldn't have done what we just did. But it's done now, and I'd like for us to never speak of this to anyone... at all.”Eric nodded. He might have been holding his breath. “Would you … would you like for us to go out for drinks sometime? I know this is stupid of me to ask, but we really need to take advantage of this opportunity that we have.”He put his index finger to my lips. It felt so intimate, but it was only a finger."I don't think we should capitalize on this," I muttered.He looked at me intensely, and I shivered.“So we're just going to keep pretending?” he smirked.I stayed silent."Okay then," he shrugged. "But before we go back
Bella's POVI hadn't stepped foot inside Eric's company in years, yet here I was. As my car pulled up in front of the towering glass building, my fingers tightened around the steering wheel.I exhaled shakily, then stepped out. And the moment I entered the lobby, the atmosphere shifted as heads turned and whispers spread. Some people recognized me, especially the older employees, the ones who had been here back when I was Mrs. Bella Damon.I ignored every single one of them because I had bigger problems.So, without acknowledging anyone, I headed toward the elevators. By the time the doors opened onto Eric's private floor, my nerves were stretched thin, and I marched toward his office. His secretary wasn't at her desk.I didn't bother knocking, I pushed the doors open."...and as I was saying, gentlemen—" Eric stopped speaking.Two older businessmen seated across from him looked startled by my sudden entrance, but I wasn't paying attention to them, I was staring at Eric.He stood froz
Mia's POVAfter getting dressed, brushing my teeth, and doing everything possible to make myself feel like a normal human being, I stepped out of my room with one goal in mind, and it was to find Eric. Unfortunately, no one had warned me that his house was apparently designed by someone who hated directions.I had already passed the same painting three times, then a staircase, then another staircase, then a hallway that looked suspiciously identical to the previous hallway.I stopped walking, then I took a deep breath, exhaled, and turned another corner, and finally spotted a maid. After receiving directions, I managed to find my way downstairs. I had barely reached the entrance hall when movement outside caught my attention.Through the front doors, I saw Eric stepping toward a waiting car, and panic immediately settled in."No. No, no, no, no."I hurried outside."Dad!" I called out without any second thought, and Eric stopped mid-step.He turned around, and a smile instantly appear
Mia's POVI was still where Sarah had left me when another knock sounded on the door. This time, before I could even move, a familiar voice came from the other side."Mia? It's me." Eric said. "I brought some clothes for you."I quickly crossed the room and opened the door, and he stood there holding several shopping bags. All I could do at that time was stare. The man had apparently gone out in the middle of the night just to buy me clothes."Wow." I took the bags from him. "Thank you."A small smile appeared on his face. "You're welcome."He looked exhausted. Actually, now that I paid attention, his eyes were red like he hadn't slept much. I glanced down at the bags before looking back up."Dad."The word slipped out accidentally, causing Eric to freeze.His eyes widened slightly, and so did mine, and for a second, neither of us spoke. Then something softened in his expression."Can we talk?" I asked quietly."Mia, it's late," he answered."But it's important.""I know." He sighed.
Mia's POVThe call had barely ended when a knock sounded on my bedroom door... three soft knocks.I groaned."Dave, if that's you, please go bother someone else for five minutes."The knocking stopped. I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off the bed, but the second I opened the door, my words died in my throat.It wasn't Dave, it was the woman from the front porch earlier. The same woman who had looked at me with shock and disgust before disappearing into the house."Oh." I immediately straightened. "Hello."She offered a small smile."Hello, Mia."I awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind my ear."I'm sorry if my arrival caused any inconvenience. You left so quickly earlier, and I thought maybe I made you uncomfortable."The woman's expression softened. "Can I come in?""Of course."I stepped aside as she entered slowly and quietly, taking in the room before walking toward the chair beside the bed. I closed the door behind her, and for a few moments, neither of us spoke.Then she fol
Mia's POVThe entire drive was silent as I sat beside Eric with my arms folded tightly across my chest while the city lights blurred past the window. My mind was still replaying everything that happened at the party over and over again, like some terrible movie I couldn’t pause.I swallowed hard and turned my face away from the window. I should have cared more. But maybe I did care, I just... couldn’t stop myself from leaving, not after finding out my whole life had basically been one gigantic lie.The car slowly turned through enormous black gates, and I blinked softly when I saw the massive estate ahead of us. The driveway curved around a fountain before Eric finally parked in front of the mansion, and for a second, I just stared at it.This was his home, my real father’s home. Of course, the thought still felt strange in my head, and before I could process it further, movement on the front porch caught my attention.Dave... of course. The annoying boy from my— now former — universi
Cole's POVI didn’t break eye contact with the child even when Eric’s voice cut through the tension.“What are you talking about, Warren?" he asked. "How do you know she’s Martha’s granddaughter?”The way he said it told me he was already bracing himself for an answer he didn’t want to hear.I took
Eric's POVI stood at the entrance of my house long after Cole’s car disappeared down the long, curved driveway. The engine sound faded, the taillights vanished, and with them went a small weight I hadn’t realized had settled so deeply into my chest.Since Rose had been placed in my arms months ago
Bella's POVCole had gone into the bathroom to have a quick shower while I sat cross-legged on the bed with Miles in front of me, my back against the headboard, my attention entirely on the tiny human wobbling between my legs.He kicked his feet happily, his little hands waving in the air.“Hey...
Eric's POVHer lips were right there.Barely a breath away. One inch closer and everything would have happened—the pull, the memory, the spark I’d been craving since the day she lost herself.But right as I started to lean that last impossible inch, Bella froze.Not dramatically. Not visibly at fir







