Chapter 113: Chapter 113 Something Takes Tara

Bella’s POV

His palm glided along my arm in slow, deliberate strokes before his hand left my stomach, gently pressing me forward until my back was against him.

I felt his fingertips find the zipper of my dress, drawing it downward with agonizing slowness.

The moment his skin touched my bare back, I tensed and pulled away slightly.

A low laugh escaped him, but his fingers continued their exploration across my exposed flesh.

His touch was hypnotic as his hands found my bra clasp, undoing it with practiced ease.

My breath caught as the fabric loosened, freeing my breasts. He slid the straps of my dress down my shoulders, exposing my bra to the cool air before settling back against the couch.

He drew me closer until I was leaning against him while he sat on the couch edge, his intense gaze meeting mine.

"I have missed you beyond words," he murmured, his expression pained as he stared into my eyes.

"I realize you could not have missed me. There would be no reason for that," he said, his attention dropping to my mouth while his palm pressed against my bare stomach.

My dress had fallen to my waist, and my bra hung loosely around my torso.

His eyes traced a path down to my throat before he pressed his face into the curve of my neck. The warmth of his breathing made my eyes flutter closed.

He began pressing soft kisses along my neck while his fingers found the center of my bra, pulling it completely away.

I sat exposed before his ravenous stare.

My fingers tangled in his hair, threading through the smooth texture.

He continued studying my breasts with the intensity of someone starved.

He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to one breast, making my breathing falter completely.

One arm encircled my back while his other hand reached for my breast.

The way his palm attempted to encompass my entire breast made me gasp audibly.

His mouth opened wider as he drew my nipple between his lips, while his fingers teased the other.

The feeling of his mouth on my skin began creating heat between my thighs.

As his passion intensified, a piercing scream shattered our moment.

We locked eyes with each other before another cry rang throughout the house.

This time we recognized it as one of my children.

Leah! 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

I jumped to my feet, snatching my clothing and adjusting myself as quickly as possible.

"There is trouble downstairs. Please come with me."

Chloe had hurried upstairs but stopped dead when she saw my disheveled appearance.

I turned away from her, fastening my bra and pulling my dress zipper up. Vance had already rushed downstairs.

"What is happening?" I demanded once I faced her again, now properly clothed.

Chloe simply stared at me, her gaze locked on mine as if something was terribly wrong.

"Chloe, what occurred?" I nearly shouted to break her trance, already pushing past her toward the staircase to check on my children personally.

"I am unsure, they are having a fight!" she finally responded, shaking herself free and trailing behind me.

An oppressive quiet accompanied us as we reached the ground floor.

The entrance door stood wide open, and Vance emerged, carrying Leah over his shoulder.

He motioned for me to enter.

I obeyed.

The instant I walked in, I found Tara positioned beside her bed with her hands balled into fists.

Chloe had mentioned the children were fighting, but for what reason? I recalled tucking them into bed.

Nothing about this situation made sense.

"Tara, why are you awake?" I asked softly, moving closer.

The expression she gave me made me freeze completely. It seemed like she might attack if I advanced further.

"What is wrong?" I attempted again, more gently.

"I do not like Leah," Tara snarled.

My eyes went wide with shock and bewilderment.

"What? What do you mean?" I asked, staring at her in complete confusion.

"You adore your sister. You two are closest friends. I have never witnessed you behave this way. Please, what is wrong? Tell me. You understand you can tell Mommy anything," I said to Tara as I dropped to my knees, attempting to approach her.

It appeared that Zack had already fled the room to the living area, likely with Vance.

"I said I do not like either of them! Why will you not send them away?" Tara shouted.

Her voice did not sound like a child. It sounded mature, almost as if another person was speaking through her.

My heart started racing in my chest.

"Tara, what is wrong?" I asked, tears beginning to fill my eyes.

I could not stand seeing my children in this condition.

"Tara? What is happening? Tara?" I called once more, just as Vance returned. I felt overwhelming relief seeing him.

He walked past me and settled next to her on the bed.

He moved so calmly that she did not react immediately.

"I do not like my two siblings. Return them to the human world. They are no longer necessary," Tara repeated, her voice unnaturally controlled.

I gasped, placing my hand over my mouth. There was no possibility my daughter could despise her siblings.

This had to be the illness, and this time it appeared more severe than before.

"Alright."

The moment Vance spoke that word, I stared at him in shock. But then I watched Tara’s expression soften.

"Alright. I will send them away from here. Would that satisfy you then?" Vance asked tenderly.

Tara’s face gradually transformed. Her smile returned briefly before bewilderment crossed her features.

"Where is everyone?" she asked, her voice returning to normal.

She searched around for her siblings, concern replacing whatever had possessed her moments before.

I understood then that I had been correct. It was the sickness.

"Come to me," I whispered, rushing forward to embrace her.

I held her firmly, weeping quietly against her shoulder.

A hand touched my back. It was Vance, offering a silent, comforting signal that I had done well, and that he was present.