53

TREVOR.

My heart lurched with worry as I watched Bella recount her experience. I couldn’t help but wonder how much fear and worry she felt through the whole process. My heart went out to her. To think she went through all of that, alone.

I got up from the bed and moved towards her. I stared deep into her eyes, my head slightly tilted,“I'm sorry you had to go through all this alone, Bella. I'm really sorry,” I said, pushing some strands of hair from her face,“I just wish you had let me in on it. We could have complied with their demands to stay quiet while we figured a better way to handle it. You didn't have to shoulder it alone,” I said, touching her chin.

She flung her hands helplessly, “I was worried what they'll do to my kids. Trevor, you know you would never comply with their demands. I know you would have taken it into your hands, I just couldn't risk it, she explained.

“I understand, baby. At least now I know why you were so cold to me,” I said, staring at her intently,“At one