The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Walking Away

Bella pov

‘Good.” I met his eyes directly, letting him see every bit of coldness I’d built around my heart. “I hope you’ve suffered, i hope every day was torture. I hope you thought about me and what you did and realized exactly what you threw away.”

‘I did.” His voice cracked slightly. “Every single day, Bella. Every single day I thought about you, about our child, about what I’d done. I tried to find you”

‘And now you have.” I stepped back as the song ended, putting distance between us. “Congratulations, you found me. Was it everything you hoped for? Does seeing me successful and happy make you feel better about your guilt?”

‘Happy?” He stared at me like I’d grown a second head. “Bella, you’re not happy. You’re performing. I can see it in your eyes, the same pain I see in the mirror every morning.”

His words cut too close to the truth. I took another step back, my mask slipping for just a second before I caught it.

‘You don’t know anything about me,” I said coldly. “Not anymore. That girl you married? She’s dead. You killed her that night and trust me, Caleb, I’m not someone you want to cross.”

I turned and walked away before he could respond, my head high and my hands shaking. I made it to the bathroom before my composure cracked, leaning against the sink and trying to breathe through the panic.

His hands on my waist. His voice in my ear. Those grey eyes looking at me like I was something precious he’d lost.I refuse to feel anything for him, I told myself firmly. He’s a liar and a manipulator and he destroyed me. I refuse.

But my reflection in the mirror told a different story. My eyes were too bright, my chest heaving with barely controlled emotion, my hands gripping the marble sink like it was the only thing keeping me upright.

One dance. He’d asked for one dance, and I was falling apart: splashed cold water on my face, careful not to ruin my makeup, and forced myself to breathe normally. I could do this. I’d survived worse than one dance with my ex-husband.

When I returned to the ballroom, Caleb was gone. So was Victoria Lane, I noticed with a flash of something I refused to acknowledge as jealousy. Ethan found me immediately, concern written all over his face.

“Are you okay? What did he say to you?”

“Nothing important.” I forced a smile. “Just old history rehashing itself. I’m fine.”

“Bella”

“I’m fine, Ethan. Really.” I touched his arm gently. “But I think I’m going to call it a night. It’s been a long day.”

“Let me take you home.”

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< Chapter 28 Walling Away

“That’s not necessary”

“Please,” he said firmly. “You look like you’re about to collapse, and I’m not letting you go alone.”

+25 Points

Too tired to argue, I let him drive me home as he escorted me to my penthouse floor. We stopped at my floor, and he studied me with those kind eyes.

“Whatever happened between you and Caleb Black, it wasn’t your fault,” he said quietly. “I don’t know the details, and you don’t have to tell me. But Bella? You deserve better than whatever he did to you. And when you’re ready to believe that, I’ll be here to prove it.”

Before I could respond, he kissed my forehead gently, then turned and walked away.

I stood at my door for a long moment, my emotions a tangled mess. Then I went inside to find Maya waiting up with hot tea and Tom asleep in my bed.

“How bad?” Maya asked, handing me a mug.

“He asked me to dance.” I kicked off my heels and sank onto the couch. “He touched me, Maya. His hands on my waist, and I thought I was going to pass out or scream or both.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No. I insulted him, told him I hoped he’d suffered, then walked away like the Ice Queen everyone thinks I am.” I took a sip of tea, letting the warmth steady me. “And then Ethan took me home and kissed my forehead and told me I deserved better.”

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