Free Web NovelChapter 39: Chapter 39 Love Finally Spoken
Derek’s POV
The sight of Hugo sprawled across Bella’s couch, looking completely at ease in her private space, sent familiar jealousy coursing through my veins. The same bitter feeling I’d carried for years whenever someone else claimed her attention.
Back in our younger days, I’d burned with the same resentment watching others monopolize her time. The question had always lingered on my tongue, begging to be asked. Why couldn’t she see that I wanted her all to myself? Why did everyone else get pieces of her that I craved?
But I’d never been brave enough to voice those thoughts, and she’d remained oblivious to my torment.
Now, staring at my best friend making himself comfortable in her sanctuary, I couldn’t help wondering how different things might have been if I’d demanded she choose me back then.
I forced myself to focus on Hugo, who was waiting for my answer with barely concealed irritation.
"What feelings are you talking about exactly?" His voice carried a sharp edge that bordered on mockery.
The moment had arrived. After years of silence, the truth clawed its way up my throat.
"I’ll discuss it with her directly. But since you’re so determined to know, here it is. I’m in love with Bella. I’ve been in love with her for years. These feelings have never gone away."
The words hung in the air like a confession at an altar. Finally speaking them aloud felt like shedding chains I’d worn for so long I’d forgotten what freedom felt like.
Hugo’s face went through a series of expressions, shock giving way to something that looked suspiciously like panic.
"Hold on. Love? That’s not something you just casually throw around," he stammered, exactly the reaction I’d anticipated.
Of course he’d try to argue. While I’d been suffering in silence, he’d always worn his heart on his sleeve. His jealousy was written across his features in bold letters.
"You don’t need to concern yourself with my decisions. I love her, I can’t imagine my life without her, and I’m going to tell her exactly how I feel. She’ll understand. That’s the end of this discussion."
My voice carried finality. I hadn’t come this far just to let Hugo talk me out of the most important conversation of my life.
"You’re married, Derek. Or did you conveniently forget about that small detail?"
His reminder hit like a slap, but I refused to flinch.
"That’s my mess to clean up, not yours. You seem perfectly content with your life, so why the interrogation? Why does my situation matter to you?"
My patience was wearing thin. I gestured sharply as I continued.
"I hear congratulations are in order for your upcoming ceremony with Camilla. Focus on your own happiness instead of interfering with mine. You got your fairy tale, but I’m stuck in a nightmare with Serena. Let me handle my own life."
"What’s happening out here?"
The voice from behind us cut through our tension like a blade. We both froze mid-argument.
Bella emerged from the adjoining room, her damp hair falling in waves around her shoulders. She’d clearly just stepped out of the shower, wearing form-fitting jeans and a purple top that made her skin glow.
For a heartbeat, she looked less like a woman walking out of a bathroom and more like a vision materializing from my deepest fantasies.
I needed several seconds to remember how to breathe properly.
"Why are you here?" The wariness in her voice told me she hadn’t expected this visit after our earlier phone conversation.
"Well, I was just..." I started, my hand automatically moving to rub the back of my neck.
Movement caught my eye as the children’s door opened. Leah appeared, rubbing sleep from her eyes, and every other thought evaporated.
I moved toward her instinctively, but she shrank back the moment she saw me approaching.
"Uncle Derek?" Her confusion was a knife to my chest.
Uncle. The word shattered something inside me. She was my daughter, my flesh and blood, and she saw me as nothing more than a family friend.
"Leah, Uncle Derek came to check on you because you weren’t feeling well yesterday. That’s why he’s visiting today," Bella stepped in smoothly, her voice gentle but firm.
I could see the lingering effects of yesterday’s illness in Leah’s subdued manner. My normally outgoing daughter seemed withdrawn, and it worried me more than I cared to admit.
Then something wonderful happened. She walked over and extended her small hand for a proper handshake.
The simple gesture nearly undid me completely.
I dropped to her level, fighting back tears. I’d already missed so much of her childhood. Every day that passed was another day I’d never get back.
"Hello there," I managed, accepting her tiny hand in mine.
Everything in me wanted to pull her close, to kiss her forehead, to claim her as mine. But she didn’t know me as her father yet, and I couldn’t risk frightening her.
"Let me check if you still have a fever," I said, using it as an excuse to touch her face.
I pressed my palm gently against her forehead, then couldn’t resist softly pinching her adorable cheeks.
"You’re definitely feeling much better," I announced with a smile.
"I’m okay now. I just had some weird sleeping without actually sleeping," she mumbled, her eyes rolling at her own confusing explanation.
Her attitude made me grin despite everything. She had spirit, just like her mother.
"Leah, sweetheart, why don’t you go get ready while I talk to Uncle Derek?" Bella suggested, her tone carefully neutral.
Leah nodded obediently and headed toward the bathroom, leaving me to marvel at how well Bella had raised both children on her own.
The same girl who used to live in organized chaos, who’d needed reminders to eat properly, had somehow become an incredible mother without any help from me.
When I stood up, I found Bella studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Questions lurked behind her eyes, questions I wasn’t sure I was ready to answer.
As the other children began stirring, Hugo suddenly appeared in their doorway, pretending to help but obviously positioning himself to overhear our conversation.
"So, are we just going to stand here staring at each other, or does this place offer food to weary travelers?" I joked, desperate to delay the serious discussion I could feel approaching.
"I’ll call room service," she replied, her voice notably cooler than before.
She gave me a look that could have frozen fire before turning toward her bedroom.
This was it. The moment I’d been both craving and dreading.
I started to follow her, but when Hugo moved to join us, I held up a hand to stop him. freeweɓnøvel.com
"This conversation happens between Bella and me. Alone."
Without waiting for his protest, I followed her into the room where my future would be decided.
