The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 65

Chapter 59: Daddy

Bella pov

The casual way he said ‘Daddy’ made my chest tight.

“I like any color you like,” Caleb said. “This is your room, so you get to choose everything.”

+25 Points

“Everything?” Tom’s eyes went wide. “Can I have glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling? And a race car bed? And a big toy box?”

“Absolutely,” Caleb said without hesitation. “We’ll make this the best room ever.”

“Tom, don’t ask for too much,” I said from the doorway. “We’re not staying here permanently.”

Both of them looked at me, Tom’s face falling. “But I want to stay with Daddy. Can’t we stay a little bit?”

“We’ll see,” I said, that frustrating default again. “For now, let’s just get you settled in.”

“Bella, can I talk to you for a minute?” Caleb asked, standing up. “Tom, why don’t you go with Aunt Maya and check out the kitchen? I think there might be some cookies in there.”

“Cookies!” Tom abandoned the paint samples immediately, running after Maya.

Once they were gone, Caleb turned to me with serious eyes. “I know this isn’t what you wanted. Being here, accepting my help, telling Tom the truth. But Bella, I promise you, I’m not trying to trap you. You can leave whenever you want. I just want to keep you both safe until this media storm passes.”

“And how long will that take?” I asked. “A week? A month? Caleb, they have photos of Tom now. They know where we are. How do we come back from that?”

“My legal team is already working on it,” Caleb said. “We’re going after every outlet that published photos of Tom without permission. We’re filing lawsuits, cease and desist orders, whatever it takes. And we’re going to find out who leaked the story and make them pay.”

“It was Jade,” I said again. “I know it was.”

“Even if it was, we need proof,” Caleb said grimly. “But trust me, Bella, if Jade did this, if she exposed our son to public scrutiny for revenge, I will destroy her so thoroughly she’ll wish she’d never been born.”

The cold fury in his voice reminded me of the man he used to be, the Winter King who crushed competitors without mercy. But now that ruthlessness was directed at protecting Tom, and I couldn’t bring myself to object.

“I need to shower,” I said, suddenly exhausted. “And change into clothes that aren’t pajamas. Can you keep an eye on Tom?”

“Of course,” Caleb said immediately. “Take all the time you need. Tom is safe with me.”

The trust that statement required made me pause, years ago, I wouldn’t have trusted Caleb with a houseplant. Now I was leaving my son with him, the man I’d spent years protecting Tom from.

But Tom had called him Daddy like it was the most natural thing in the world. And Caleb had cried holding

13

<Chapter 59 Brody

his son. And maybe, just maybe, people really could change.

+25 Points

twent to my room and stood under the shower for twenty minutes, letting the hot water wash away the stress and fear and overwhelming emotions of the morning. When I finally emerged, wrapped in a plush robe I’d found in the bathroom, there were shopping bags on my bed.

Lisa’s efficiency was almost frightening. She’d ordered everything, designer jeans and soft sweaters, comfortable loungewear, even pajamas and underwear in my exact size. I didn’t want to know how she’d obtained my measurements so quickly.

I dressed in jeans and a cream sweater, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and went looking for Tom.

I found everyone in the massive kitchen. Tom was perched on the counter next to Maya, both of them decorating cookies while Caleb stood nearby with an apron on, looking completely out of his element.

“Mommy, look!” Tom held up a cookie covered in what appeared to be an entire bottle of sprinkles. “I made this for you!”

“It’s beautiful, baby,” I said, taking the cookie even though it was basically pure sugar and food coloring.

“Caleb I mean daddy made one too,” Tom said, pointing to a cookie that was slightly better decorated but still amateur. “But mine is better because I used all the colors.”

“Your cookies are definitely more colorful,” Caleb agreed, smiling at Tom with such open affection it made my breath catch.

I moved to put my cookie on a plate, reaching past Caleb in the narrow space between the counter and the island. My chest brushed against his arm, the contact brief but electric, and I jerked back immediately.

Caleb’s eyes darkened, his gaze dropping to where I’d touched him before snapping back to my face. The air between us suddenly felt charged, awareness crackling like static electricity.

“Sorry,” I said, my voice coming out breathier than I intended. “I didn’t mean to”

“It’s fine,” Caleb said, but his voice was rough. “The kitchen is smaller than it looks.”

It wasn’t that small. We both knew it.

I moved to the other side of the island, putting distance between us, acutely aware of Maya’s knowing look and grateful that Tom was too focused on his cookies to notice the tension.

“Mommy, can we watch a movie?” Tom asked. “Caleb has a really big TV!”

“Sure, baby,” I said, seizing the excuse to leave the kitchen. “What do you want to watch?”

“Penguins!” Tom said predictably. “Do you have penguin movies, Caleb?” he paused, his little face scrunching up as he caught himself. “I mean… Daddy?”

For a moment, Caleb just stared at him, something raw and vulnerable crossing his features before he cleared his throat. Then he laughed-a genuine sound that seemed to surprise even him. “You can call me anything you like, Tom.”

“Okay!” Tom chirped, already bouncing on his toes.

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