The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 73

Chapter 66: United Fonts

Bella pov

“Fine, but I want final approval on all PR statements.”

“Done, and I want you to review the legal strategy against Jade and Richard.”

We spent the next hour going over details, falling into the easy rhythm of business discussion. This I could handle, Caleb the CEO was someone I could spar with professionally without the emotional

complications.

“The board meeting is at 2:00 tomorrow at Black Tower,” Caleb said as we wrapped up. “I’ll send a car.”

“I have my own car.”

“I know, but arriving together sends the message we want.”

He was right again, which was annoying. “Fine, but I’m not pretending we’re friends.”

“I’m not asking you to.” His grey eyes were serious. “Just professional colleagues who happen to share a child.”

That afternoon, Tom had a meltdown about his shoes (the blue ones were “sad” apparently), and Caleb handled it with patience I didn’t know he possessed. He sat on the floor with Tom, validated his feelings about the sad shoes, and helped him pick happy shoes instead.

“Where did you learn to do that?” I asked after Tom ran off to play.

“Parenting books.” Caleb stood, brushing off his jeans. “I’ve been reading everything I can find. Did you know there’s an entire chapter on shoe-related meltdowns?”

Despite myself, I almost smiled. “Let me guess, Dr. Harvey’s guide?”

“How did you know?”

“I have the same book, Tom went through a phase where all his shirts were ‘too tight’ even though they fit fine.”

“What did you do?”

“Let him wear them inside out for a month.” I shrugged. “Pick your battles.”

r

We looked at each other and for a moment, it felt almost normal. Two parents commiserating about the chaos of raising a toddler, sharing the small victories and frustrations.

Then Tom ran back in demanding we watch penguins again, and the moment passed.

That night, after Tom was asleep, I worked in the guest wing’s sitting area reviewing the Meridian proposal. Every number, every projection, every strategy was flawless. Caleb had always been brilliant at business, it was one of the things I’d admired about him before everything fell apart.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.”Come in.”

Chapter fated Foote

Calcb entered carrying two glasses of wine “Thought you might need this.”

“I don’t drink when I’m working.” I turned back to my laptop.

“You’re not working, you’re stress reading the same page you’ve already reviewed three times.” He set a glass next to me anyway. “The proposal is solid, Bella, you know it is.”

I did know, but admitting that meant admitting he’d done good work. “It’s acceptable.”

“High praise from the Iron Empress.” He sat in the chair across from me, close but not crowding. “Are you worried about the board meeting?”

“No, I’m worried about the press conference, the lawsuit, the media circus, take your pick.”

“We’ll handle it.” His confidence was infuriating and reassuring at once.

“You can’t just fix everything, Caleb.”

“Watch me.” He took a sip of wine, eyes never leaving mine. “Bella, I know you’re used to fighting alone, but you don’t have to anymore. Let me handle the legal mess with Jade and Richard. You focus on Tom and the business.”

“I’ve been handling things fine on my own.”

“I know you have, you’ve built an empire while raising a child alone. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it alone.”

The words were too close to what he’d said on the terrace, too intimate for this late night conversation with wine and dim lighting.

I stood abruptly. “I should sleep, long day tomorrow.”

“Bella, wait.” He stood too, blocking my path to the bedroom. “I need to know you’re okay. Not the CEO, not the mother. You.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not, you’re exhausted and stressed and trying to be strong for everyone.” He stepped closer, close enough I could smell his cologne, feel the warmth radiating off him. “When do you let yourself fall apart?”

“I don’t have that luxury.” My voice came out sharper than intended. “Some of us can’t afford to fall apart.”

“You could now, you could let me catch you.”

The words hung between us, loaded with meaning I didn’t want to examine. His hand lifted like he might touch me, and I stepped back so fast I hit the wall.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify