All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Discarded Bride : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Bella pov "Because you can influence how it happens," Jennifer said. "You can work with him to create a schedule that minimizes disruption to Tom's life. You can set boundaries about where visits happen, who supervises them, how Caleb is introduced. Or you can fight him every step of the way, spend hundreds of thousands in legal fees, put Tom through months of evaluations and court appearances, and end up with the same result but with everyone hurt and angry."I stared at the custody petition on her desk, at the legal language that reduced my son to a minor child and my years of sacrifice to parental alienation."What would you do?" I asked. "If Tom was your son, what would you do?"Jennifer was quiet for a long moment. "I'd be terrified too. I'd want to protect him from someone who hurt me so badly. But Bella, I'd also think about what Tom will ask me in ten years when he finds out I kept his father from him, will I have a good answer?"The question hit like a punch to the gut becau

Caleb pov The question hung in the air, and I saw everyone watching me, waiting to see how I'd respond."years ago, you would have been right," I said quietly. "I was dead inside, so focused on control that I couldn't let myself feel anything. But Bella, losing you broke something open in me. I've spent years learning to feel again, learning to be human again. And when I saw Tom at the aquarium, when he smiled at me and asked about penguins, I felt more in those two minutes than I'd felt in my entire life before."Bella's eyes were wet now, tears she was fighting to hold back. "Pretty words don't make you a father.""No, they don't," I agreed. "Actions do. So let me show you. Let me prove that I've changed, that I'm capable of putting Tom first. And if I fail, if I hurt him or disappoint him or prove I'm still the monster you remember, then I'll walk away. I'll give up all parental rights and you'll never hear from me again.""You'd do that?" Bella asked, disbelief clear in her voice

Caleb pov My throat closed up completely. I couldn't speak, couldn't move, could barely breathe. He remembered me. My son remembered me."Hi, Tom," Maya said gently, sitting down next to him. "Remember how I told you we were meeting someone today? This is Caleb. He's Mommy's friend, and he wanted to spend some time with you.""Hi, Caleb!" Tom bounced up with the boundless energy of a three-year-old. "Did you bring more penguin facts?""I, yes," I managed, my voice rough. "I brought lots of facts. And some other things too, if you want to see them.""What kind of things?" Tom stepped closer, curiosity overcoming any shyness.I set down the bags and pulled out the first item, a plush penguin that was almost as big as Tom. "I thought you might like this."Tom's eyes went huge. "He's so soft! Can I hug him?""He's yours," I said, and watched my son's face light up with pure joy."Mine? Really?" Tom grabbed the penguin and squeezed it tight. "Thank you, Caleb! Mommy, look what Caleb gave

Caleb POVTuesday came faster than I expected and slower than I wanted. I'd spent the past three days reading parenting books until my eyes burned, researching child psychology, and planning activities that would make Tom smile the way he had during our first visit.I arrived at the hotel precisely at two PM, carrying a new bag of carefully selected items. This time, no overwhelming piles of toys, just a few things I thought he'd genuinely enjoy. A book about ocean animals, some art supplies, and a small stuffed dinosaur to keep his penguin company.Maya was waiting in the family lounge again, but her expression was different this time, less hostile, more cautiously optimistic."He's been asking about you," she said as I approached. "Every day since Saturday. 'When is Caleb coming back? Can Caleb read me more books? Does Caleb like dinosaurs too?'"The words hit me square in the chest. "He asked about me?""Constantly," Maya said, and I saw the hint of a smile. "Bella's been going cra

Bella POVThursday morning started like any other. I was in my temporary office at Hart Worldwide's Silverton branch, reviewing acquisition proposals, when my assistant knocked on the door with an anxious expression."Ms. Hart, you have visitors," Jennifer said, her voice tight. "They don't have an appointment, but they're insisting it's family business."Family business. I had no family, not anymore. The only family I had was Tom, sleeping peacefully in the hotel suite with Maya watching him while I worked."Tell them I'm not available," I said, turning back to my computer screen."I tried. They won't leave." Jennifer hesitated. "It's Richard and Margaret Hart. They say they're your parents."The pen I was holding snapped in my hand. My parents. The people who'd thrown me out pregnant and penniless, who'd chosen Jade over me without a second thought, who'd called me an embarrassment and told me I'd failed as a wife. They were here. In my building. Demanding to see me like they had an