The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 42

Chapter 37: Caleb Confrontation-2

“You did this to yourself,” I said coldly, even though my heart was breaking. “You made the choice to throw us away. Now live with the consequences.”

I reached for the door handle, but Caleb caught my wrist, not hard, just desperate.

“I was lied to,” he said intensely. “Richard and Jade created fake evidence, manufactured videos and photos that made me believe you were cheating on me, that you lied to me, even to the point I questioned if you were really a virgin as you said, or if all that was also part of an elaborate scheme. I was wrong to believe them, wrong not to question it, wrong to treat you the way I did. But Bella, I was manipulated too. We were both victims of their lies.”

“That doesn’t change what you said to me.” I pulled my wrist free. “You told me to abort my baby, Caleb. Our baby. How do I forgive that? How do I trust you with Tom after that?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’m asking you to try. I’m asking you to give me a chance to prove I’ve changed, that I’m not the man who threw you away. Please, Bella. For Tom’s sake.”

Behind the door, I heard Tom’s voice calling for me. “Mommy? Are you okay?”

The sound of my son’s voice made Caleb’s face crumple with emotion. “Is that him?”

“You need to leave.” I opened the door a crack. “Now, Caleb. Before he sees you.”

“Why? Why can’t he see me? I’m his father”

“You’re nothing to him,” I said cruelly, watching him flinch. “You’re just a stranger who wants to disrupt his life. And I won’t let that happen.”

“Bella, wait”

I shut the door in his face and locked it, then leaned against it with my heart pounding. On the other side, I heard Caleb’s ragged breathing, heard him press his hand against the wood.

“I’m not giving up,” he said through the door, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m not walking away from my son. You can shut me out now, but Bella, he’s mine. I know he’s mine. And eventually, you’re going to have to let me in. Because Tom deserves to know his father. And when you’re ready, I’ll be here. However long it takes.”

I heard his footsteps retreat down the hallway, and only then did I slide down the door to sit on the floor, sobbing.

“Mommy?” Tom’s worried face appeared in front of me. “Why are you crying?”

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Chapter 37: Caleb Confrontation-2

I pulled him into my arms and held him tight, breathing in his scent and trying to stop shaking. “Just tired, baby. Mommy’s just very tired.”

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Tom hugged me back, his small arms surprisingly strong. “It’s okay, Mommy. You can rest. I’l take care of you.”

His words broke something in me. This beautiful, kind boy who shouldn’t have to worry about taking care of his mother. Who deserved better than the mess his parents had made.

Maya appeared and gently helped me to my feet. “Come on. Let’s get you some water. Tom, honey, can you go finish your breakfast? Mommy just needs a minute.”

After Tom left, Maya looked at me with those knowing eyes. “He knows, doesn’t he? He figured it out.”

“He doesn’t have proof,” I said, my voice hollow. “He just investigated you and saw that you don’t have children, and put two and two together. But he can’t prove Tom is his without a

DNA test.”

“And you think that will stop him?” Maya asked gently. “Bella, he’s going to keep pushing. He’s going to find ways to get proof. Wouldn’t it be better to control this yourself? To tell Tom the

truth before Caleb forces the issue?”

“I can’t,” I whispered, my greatest fear finally spoken aloud. “Maya, what if I tell Tom about his

father and then Caleb disappoints him? What if he gets attached and then Caleb decides being a father is too hard? I can’t watch my son go through that rejection.”

“Then you set boundaries,” Maya said firmly. “You make Caleb earn his place in Tom’s life, step by step. Supervised visits at first, building up to more time as he proves himself trustworthy. But Bella, you can’t keep them apart forever based on what might happen.”

“Why not?” I asked bitterly. “It’s kept Tom safe for years.”

“Has it?” Maya’s voice was gentle but challenging. “Or has it just kept him from knowing half his family? Bella, Tom asks about his father constantly. He sees other kids with their dads and wonders why he doesn’t have one. How much longer can you tell him ‘someday’ before it starts hurting him?”

I didn’t have an answer to that. All I knew was that the thought of introducing Tom to Caleb terrified me in ways I couldn’t articulate.

My phone buzzed with a text from Caleb.I’m sorry for pushing. I’m sorry for everything. But please, just think about it. I know you don’t trust me, and I understand why. But Tom deserves to know his father. And I promise I will spend every day proving I’m worthy of being his dad. Just give me a chance. Please.

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<Chapter 37: Caleb Confrontation-2

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