The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 44

Chapter 38: Bella Dilemma-2

“Get out,” I said to Caleb, my voice shaking with rage and fear and something else I couldn’t name. “Get out now before I call security.”

“That’s my son.” Caleb’s voice broke on the last word. “Bella, that’s my son. I just saw my son for the first time and he doesn’t even know who I am.”

“Good.” I pushed him backward into the hallway, following him out and closing the door behind me so Tom wouldn’t hear. “He doesn’t need to know who you are.”

“The hell he doesn’t!” Caleb’s composure cracked, anger flashing through the grief. “I’m his father, Bella. I have rights”

“Rights?” I laughed, bitter and sharp. “You lost your rights when you told me to abort him. You lost your rights when you and my family threw me out into the rain with nothing. You lost your rights when you chose to believe lies about me instead of giving me a chance to defend myself.”

“I was wrong!” He stepped toward me, his eyes wild. “I know I was wrong, I know I fucked up, I know I destroyed everything. But Bella, he’s my son. You can’t just keep him from me forever.”

“Watch me.” I crossed my arms, armor snapping into place. “Tom is happy and safe and loved. He doesn’t need you disrupting his life just because you suddenly decided you want to play father.”

“Play father?” Caleb’s face went white. “You think this is a game to me? Bella, I just saw my son for the first time. I saw his face, heard his voice, watched him look at me like I’m a stranger. Do you have any idea what that feels like?”

“Do you have any idea what it felt like to be pregnant and alone?” I shot back. “To give birth with no one there except Maya? To raise a baby by myself while working three jobs because you threw me away like garbage? Don’t you dare talk to me about feelings, Caleb. You gave up that right years ago.”

“I know.” His voice dropped to barely a whisper. “I know I did. And I will spend the rest of my life trying to make that up to you, trying to earn forgiveness I don’t deserve. But Tom didn’t do anything wrong. He shouldn’t have to pay for my mistakes by not knowing his father.”

“He stopped being yours when you told me to get rid of him.” The words came out cold, final. “You made that choice, Caleb. You chose to reject him before he was even born. You don’t get to take it back now just because it’s convenient.”

Something in Caleb’s face shifted, hardened. “This isn’t about convenience. This is about my

<Chapter 38: Bella Dilemma-2

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son. And whether you like it or not, Bella, I’m his father. The DNA will prove it, the timing proves it, anyone with eyes can see he’s mine. You can’t hide him forever.”

“Get out.” I reached for the door handle, my hands shaking. “Get out before I call security and have you forcibly removed.”

“I’m not giving up.” Caleb caught my wrist, not hard, just desperate. “I’m not walking away from my son. You can shut me out now, you can make this as hard as you want, but eventually you’re going to have to let me in. Because Tom deserves to know his father. And when you’re ready to do what’s best for him instead of what makes you feel safe, I’ll be waiting.”

I yanked my wrist free and slipped back into the suite, slamming the door in his face. I locked it with shaking hands, then slid down to sit on the floor, my back against the door and my heart pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.

On the other side, I heard Caleb’s ragged breathing, heard his hand pressing against the

wood.

“I saw him, Bella,” he said through the door, his voice thick with emotion. “I saw my son. And he’s perfect. He’s everything I didn’t know I wanted, everything I threw away. And I know you hate me, I know you want me gone, but I can’t walk away from him. Not now. Not ever.”

His footsteps retreated down the hallway, and only then did I let myself cry.

Tom appeared in front of me, his face worried and tear-stained. “Mommy, why are you sad? Was that man mean to you?”

I pulled him into my arms and held him so tight he squeaked. “No, baby. He wasn’t mean. I’m just tired.”

“The tall man looked sad too,” Tom said quietly, settling against my chest. “Why was everyone sad?”

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