The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 86

Chapter 77: Midnight Desire

Bella POV

I woke up in Tom’s bed with a crick in my neck and the memory of last night flooding back. Tom asking why we couldn’t be a real family, Caleb’s hand-in mine, the way he’d looked at me across our sleeping son.

Tom’s bed was empty, sunlight streaming through the windows. I sat up, disoriented, and checked my phone. 9:47 AM. I’d slept past 9 for the first time in years.

I found Tom and Caleb in the kitchen making what appeared to be pancake art.

“Mommy!” Tom held up a plate. “Look, Daddy made a penguin! It’s a little weird shaped but he tried really hard.”

The pancake did vaguely resemble a penguin if you squinted. “It’s perfect, baby.”

Caleb looked at me, and I saw the question in his eyes-are we going to talk about last night? I looked away, focusing on pouring coffee.

“I have meetings this afternoon,” I said. “Need to go over the Hart Industries restructuring with the transition team.”

“I cleared my schedule,” Caleb said. “Thought I could watch Tom, give you space to work without worrying.”

The casual offer of support shouldn’t have affected me, but it did. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, I want to.” He flipped another pancake. “Besides, Tom and I have plans. Right, buddy?”

“We’re going to the aquarium to see real penguins!” Tom bounced excitedly. “Daddy says they have a whole penguin exhibit!”

I looked at Caleb, this man who was learning to be a father by paying attention to our son’s obsessions, and felt something shift in my chest.”That sounds amazing,” I managed.

After they left for the aquarium, I dove into work. The Hart Industries transition was complex, requiring delicate handling of longtime employees and nervous investors. I spent hours on calls, reassuring people that the company would be stronger under my leadership.

By 6 PM, I was exhausted and starving. I heated up leftovers and was halfway through when my phone rang. Maya.

“How’s the corporate takeover going?” she asked.

“Done. Hart Industries is mine, Richard is out, and I should feel more satisfied than I do.”

“Revenge rarely feels as good as we think,” Maya said. “Speaking of which, how are things with Caleb?”

“Fine. Professional. Co-parenting successfully.” All lies.

“Uh-huh, is that why Tom called me this morning asking if married people always sleep in separate rooms?”

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< Chapter 77 Mränight Desire

+groaned. “He had a nightmare last night, asked why Caleb and I aren’t together like a ‘real family.”

“What did you tell him?”

+25 Points

“That it’s complicated” I pushed my food-around the plate. “Maya, he’s three years old. How do I explain that I don’t trust his father enough to be with him?”

“Maybe you stop lying to yourself about what you actually want.” Maya’s voice was gentle. “Bella, I’ve watched you with Caleb these past few weeks. The way you look at him when you think no one’s watching, the way you unconsciously move closer when he’s in the room. You don’t trust him, fine. But you still want him.”

“Wanting someone isn’t enough.”

“No, but it’s a start.” Maya paused. “When’s the last time you let yourself want anything just for you? Not for Tom, not for the business. Just because it made you happy?”

I couldn’t remember. “I should go.”

“Think about it, Bella. Life’s too short to punish yourself for other people’s mistakes.”

After we hung up, I sat with Maya’s words. When had I last done something just because it made me happy? Every decision I made was calculated for maximum benefit and minimum risk.

Caleb and Tom returned around 8, both exhausted and happy. Tom could barely keep his eyes open during dinner, and Caleb carried him to bed.

I went to my room to shower, letting the hot water wash away the day’s stress. But Maya’s question lingered-when had I last let myself want something?

The answer was in the elevator, when I’d let Caleb’s kiss me.I pushed the thought away, dried off, and pulled on my silk pajama set. It was late, past midnight, and I was wide awake.

I padded to the kitchen for water, thinking everyone would be asleep. Caleb was there, shirtless, drinking

scotch at the counter.

I froze in the doorway. He turned, eyes widening as he took me in. I was suddenly very aware of how thin my pajamas were, how the silk clung to my damp skin.

“Couldn’t sleep?” His voice was rough.

“No.” I moved to the sink, hyperaware of the space between us. “You?”

“Too much on my mind.” His eyes followed my movement. “Want some?”

He held up the scotch bottle. I should have said no, should have gone back to my room, should have put distance between us.

Instead, I nodded. He poured me a glass, our fingers brushing as I took it. Electricity shot through me at the contact.

We stood there in the dim kitchen, drinking in silence, the air thick with unspoken tension.

“We need to talk about Tom’s schedule,” I said finally, needing to break the silence. “He has that supervised

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<Chapter 71 Mänight Desire

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