The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 93

Chapter 84: Early Morning Saga

Bella POV

I woke up the next morning to Tom jumping on my bed. “Mommy, Mommy, wake up! Daddy made penguin waffles and they’re amazing!”

I groaned and checked my phone. 7:30 AM. After the emotional rollercoaster of last night, I’d barely slept. “Give me five minutes, baby.”

Tom bounced off the bed and I dragged myself to the bathroom. The woman in the mirror looked tired, her lips still slightly swollen from last night’s kiss, her eyes haunted.

I’d kissed Caleb. Really kissed him. And then I’d confirmed a date with Ethan while I could still taste Caleb

1. on my lips.

What was wrong with me? I pulled on yoga pants and a sweater, tied my hair in a messy bun, and went to face the consequences of my choices.

Caleb was in the kitchen with Tom, both of them covered in waffle batter. He looked up when I entered, his grey eyes searching mine for answers I didn’t have. “Morning,” he said carefully.

“Morning.” I poured coffee, needing the caffeine. “What time did you get up?”

“Six. Couldn’t sleep.” His voice was neutral but I caught the meaning underneath-he couldn’t sleep because of what had happened between us.

“Me either,” I admitted.

Tom, oblivious to the tension, chattered about his waffles while Caleb and I navigated around each other in the kitchen, both hyperaware of every accidental touch.

After breakfast, Tom went to play in his room, leaving us alone. “We need to talk,” Caleb said.

“I know.” I refilled my coffee. “But I don’t know what to say.”

“Start with the truth.” He leaned against the counter. “Do you want me, Bella? Not the co-parent, not the business partner. Me.”

I looked at him, at this man who’d destroyed me and was now trying to save me, and couldn’t lie anymore. “Yes,” I whispered. “I want you. God help me, I want you so much it scares me.”

His eyes darkened. “Then why did you agree to dinner with Pierce?”

“Because wanting you doesn’t mean I should have you.” I set down my mug. “Caleb, we have history, baggage, a child together. The smart choice is to find someone uncomplicated, someone safe.”

“And you think Pierce is safe?” He moved closer. “You think dating someone else is going to make you stop wanting me?”

“I don’t know!” I wrapped my arms around myself. “I don’t know what I’m doing, okay? I’m terrified of getting hurt again but I can’t stop thinking about you. I tell myself to keep distance and then I kiss you on the terrace like my life depends on it. I’m a mess, Caleb.”

13

Ly M

Saga

+25 Points

Then be a mess with me.” He was right in front of me now. “Stop trying to figure everything out alone and just let me in.

“What if it doesn’t work?”

“What if it does?” He cupped my face. “Bella, I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. But I’d rather try and fail than spend the rest of my life wondering what we could have been.”

I looked into his eyes and saw sincerity, hope, and the same fear I was feeling. He meant it, he really

meant it.

“I need time,” I said finally. “To think, to process, to figure out what I actually want without the pressure of you being right here.”

“How much time?” His thumbs stroked my cheekbones.

“I don’t know. A week? Two? Just… space to clear my head.”

He nodded slowly. “Okay, if that’s what you need, I’ll give you space. But Bella, I’m not giving up. Whatever Pierce offers you at that dinner, know that I’m offering you everything. My heart, my time, my absolute commitment to being worthy of you.”

“That’s not fair,” I whispered. “You can’t say things like that and expect me to think clearly.”

“I know.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead, gentle and sweet. “But I’m not trying to be fair. I’m trying to win you back.”

He stepped away, giving me the space I’d asked for, and I immediately missed his warmth.

“I’m taking Tom to the park,” he said. “Give you time to yourself. We’ll be back this afternoon.”

After they left, I sat alone in the quiet penthouse and tried to think rationally about my situation.

Option one: Give Caleb a real chance. Risk my heart, potentially hurt Tom if it fails, but possibly build the family we’d never had.

Option two: Date Ethan. Safe, uncomplicated, no painful history. But also no spark, no passion, no real connection beyond professional respect.

Option three: Stay alone. Focus on Tom and work, avoid relationships entirely, protect myself from all possible hurt.

None of the options felt right. My phone buzzed. A message from Maya: “you looked gloomy yesterday, want to talk about it?”

I smiled despite myself and called her.

“Start talking,” Maya said immediately. “And don’t leave anything out.”

I told her everything-the gala, the dance, Caleb’s revelation about hearing me, the kiss on the terrace, Tom’s nightmare, and my confusion about Ethan.

“Wow,” Maya said when I finished. “You’re really in deep.”

“I know, what do I do?”

<Chapter 84 Emily Morning Saga

“What do you want to do?”

+25 Points

“I want to rewind years and never marry Caleb in the first place.” I sighed. “But since that’s not possible, I want… I don’t know. want to trust him. I want to believe he’s changed. I want to give Tom the family he wants. But I’m so scared, Maya.”

“Of course you are, he broke your heart.” Maya’s voice was gentle. “But Bella, you can’t let fear make all your decisions. Sometimes you have to take the risk.”

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