The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 99

Chapter 90: Caleb and Bella confrontation-1

Caleb pov

“I’m so tired of fighting.” She wiped her face. “Tired of being strong, tired of protecting myself, tired of wanting something I’m terrified to have.”

“Then stop fighting.” I pulled her into my arms, and this time she let me. “Stop protecting yourself from me and just let me in.”

She shook against me, her face buried in my chest, years of pain and fear pouring out in silent sobs. I held her, stroking her hair, pressing kisses to her temple.

“I’ve got you,” I murmured. “I’m here, I’m not leaving, and I’ve got you.”

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We stood there for a long time, her crying and me holding her, the morning sun streaming through the windows.

Finally, she pulled back, wiping her eyes., “I need coffee.”

“Okay.” I poured her a fresh cup, added cream and sugar the way she liked it.

We sat at the kitchen island in silence, both processing the emotional explosion.

“I can’t promise to trust you immediately,” Bella said finally. “The damage is too deep for that.”

“I know.” I wrapped my hands around my own mug. “I’m not asking for immediate trust. I’m just asking for a chance to earn it.”

“And what does that look like?” She looked at me. “What are you actually asking for, Caleb?”

“I’m asking you to try.” I met her eyes. “Really try, not just co-parent while keeping emotional distance. I’m asking you to let me take you on real dates, to spend time together as more than just Tom’s parents, to see if we can build something real.”

“And if it doesn’t work?” Her voice was small. “If we try and it falls apart?”

“Then at least we’ll know.” I reached across and took her hand. “At least we won’t spend the rest of our lives wondering what if.”

She looked at our joined hands, at the way our fingers fit together. “I went on a date with Ethan to prove I could move on.”

“I know.”

“But the whole time, I was thinking about you.” She finally met my eyes. “He was perfect-kind, funny, successful. Everything I should want. And all I felt was empty.”

“Because he’s not what you want.” I squeezed her hand. “Bella, I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’m fucked up and possessive and I have a lot of work to do on myself. But I’m yours. Completely, utterly yours. And I think you’re mine too, even if you’re not ready to admit it.”

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

Chapter Web and Bella confrontation 1

25 Points

+know, me too.” I brought her hand to my lips, kissed her knuckles. “But I’m more scared of not trying than Tam of failing

“Last night” She stopped, struggled with the words. “Last night wasn’t just fun for me either.”

The admission made my heart stutter. “No?”

“No.” She looked away. “It was intense and overwhelming and it scared me how much I felt. So I dismissed it to protect myself.”

“And hurt me in the process.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” She finally looked at me again. “I don’t know how to do this, Caleb. I don’t know how to let someone in without completely losing myself.”

“You don’t have to figure it out alone.” I stood, moved around to her side of the island. “We figure it out together, one day at a time. Starting with the truth-do you want this? Do you want to try?”

She looked up at me, conflict clear in her eyes. I could see the war happening inside her, fear battling with hope, self-protection fighting against the desire to take a risk. “Yes,” she said finally. “I want to try.”

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