Bella’s POV

The drive home stretched endlessly in suffocating silence. Neither Hugo nor I exchanged a single word during the entire journey.

Tara had curled against my shoulder, her small body relaxed in sleep, completely unaware of the tension crackling between the adults around her.

As we approached the main entrance, I spotted Parker’s sleek black sedan already waiting. Moments later, Derek’s car came roaring up the driveway, tires crunching against gravel with unnecessary aggression.

The instant Parker emerged from his vehicle, he strode toward me with purposeful steps, extending his arms expectantly.

"She’s still sleeping. Handle the other children instead," I said firmly, knowing full well that the kids remained wary around Tara.

Hugo climbed out from the driver’s side and carefully lifted Leah into his embrace. Derek immediately lunged forward, practically ripping the child from Hugo’s arms with possessive force.

What struck me even more was Parker’s deliberate avoidance of Zack. Hugo had to circle the entire car just to collect the boy himself.

These subtle behavioral patterns were becoming increasingly obvious to me, and each observation left a bitter taste in my mouth.

We entered the house together, and despite having been away for barely twenty-four hours, the space felt hollow and unwelcoming.

The moment their feet touched the floor, the children scattered toward their rooms to reconnect with abandoned toys and familiar comforts. Only Tara remained unconscious in my arms, her breathing steady and peaceful.

"I’ll keep her with me tonight," I announced, already moving toward my bedroom. I settled her gently onto the mattress.

The children had eaten well during our outing and seemed content, their energy levels balanced and spirits lifted from the day’s activities.

I arranged protective pillows around Tara’s sleeping form, tucked a soft blanket over her small frame, and quietly slipped back into the hallway.

"I’ll return to the guesthouse now," Hugo stated, gesturing toward the exit. I acknowledged him with a brief nod.

"If there’s anything you need—" Derek started to offer.

I raised my palm sharply, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Derek, leave. Now." The command came out harsher than I intended, but I felt no desire to soften it.

His expression darkened with obvious displeasure, though something in my tone must have convinced him that pushing further would be pointless. He retreated toward the door without another word.

"Look, I understand you’re furious with me and the others, but there’s something important I need to explain," Parker said once we were alone.

Now that privacy surrounded us, he apparently believed he could manipulate me into accepting whatever excuse he’d prepared for his betrayal.

I decided to hear him out, curious to discover just how elaborate his lies would become now that his deception had been exposed.

"When Derek contacted me about his plan, I genuinely felt uncertain about everything," he continued, following as I moved restlessly around the room. "Nothing I could have said would have deterred him from his course."

I removed my watch and set it deliberately on the living room table, refusing to stand still for his rehearsed speech.

"I realize I should have warned you beforehand," he admitted, trailing after me like a guilty child.

I stopped abruptly and faced him directly, maintaining steady eye contact while I unfastened my earrings.

The jewelry clinked against the table’s surface as I dropped each piece. Then I settled into the armchair, crossing one leg over the other, my gaze never leaving his face.

"Listen, I’m sorry, alright?" he said, his voice carrying forced sincerity. "I was also frustrated by how you’ve been attacking me over Vance. I know he betrayed your marriage. Why do you keep protecting him?"

Once again, he dragged my husband into our conversation, prompting me to roll my eyes in exasperation.

"Parker, this isn’t your concern. My marriage is my private matter," I snapped.

"Of course it affects us too, Bella. Your children are our children as well. I don’t believe it’s healthy for kids to witness their mother being deceived and disrespected," Parker argued, while bitter laughter escaped my throat.

"Didn’t you claim to have no romantic connection with your wife? How do your daughters cope with watching their parents maintain such emotional distance?" I challenged him.

The question hit its mark. His jaw tightened visibly, muscles working beneath the skin.

"The reality is that I’m now in serious danger because of you two, who promised to protect me at all costs. Yet the moment I found safety, you deliberately exposed me to harm," I said, letting anger sharpen each word. "So thank you both for that betrayal. Now I need rest. I also have to communicate with my husband." The final words came out as a hiss, and I watched his expression shift the instant I mentioned Vance.

"I’ll sleep on the living room couch tonight," he declared, indicating the furniture.

"Chloe’s room is empty. You don’t need to camp out here," I replied, pointing toward her door.

As he walked toward the vacant bedroom, he hesitated briefly.

I could sense he wanted to deliver some parting comment, but exhaustion had drained my patience completely. I continued down the hallway until I reached my sanctuary.

Once inside with the door closed, I opened my laptop and finally composed an email to Vance.

The council might permit alternative communication methods if I requested them, but email felt appropriate for now.

"Dear husband, we have encountered a serious problem."

I clicked send and watched his response appear almost immediately.

"Dear wife, what happened? Are you safe? Are the children unharmed?"

"Dear husband, first tell me what you’re doing right now?"

This time, several minutes passed before his reply arrived.

"Dear wife, nothing significant. I just finished a business meeting, and Chloe is preparing my evening drink."

Reading those words, I understood exactly what they had planned for tonight.

Chloe wasn’t there simply to serve beverages. She was there to share his bed.