CHAPTER ELEVEN

Harry

The tray felt heavier than it should, not because of the food. The weight was due to the questions that silently followed me as I climbed the stairs. I ignored them.

Bella hadn’t eaten.

The doctor had already warned her not to skip meals. That was the only reason I was doing this. Nothing else. When I reached her door, I knocked once.

No answer.

I knocked again.

Bella.

A few seconds later, the door opened.

She looked surprised to see me.

Then her eyes fell to the tray in my hands.

For a brief moment I couldn’t read her expression.

Alpha?

You didn’t eat.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the door.

I told the servant I wasn’t hungry.

I know.

Neither of us spoke.

Finally, I held the tray toward her.

Take it.

She didn’t move.

I’ll eat later.

You’ll eat now.

Her eyes slowly lifted to mine.

There was no anger in them.

No hope.

Only quiet exhaustion.

I’m really not hungry.

The doctor said skipping meals isn’t good for the baby. The words left my mouth before I realised how they sounded. For the baby. Not for her.

Bella looked at the tray again.Then she accepted it with both hands.

Thank you.

Her voice was calm.

Almost too calm.

I waited.

I wasn’t sure of what I was waiting for.

Maybe for her to smile. Maybe she should argue. Instead, she simply stepped back.

I won’t let the baby go hungry.

The sentence hit me harder than it should have.

No, I won’t go hungry.

The baby.

She was reminding both of us why this marriage existed.

Good.

It was all I managed to say.

She nodded politely.

Good night, Alpha.

Before I could respond She gently closed the door. I remained standing in the hallway for several seconds. Then I turned and walked away.

Bella

The room fell silent after Harry left. I placed the tray on the table and stared at it. A small smile tugged at my lips. Not because I believed Harry cared. Because he had been honest. He wasn’t worried about me. He was worried about the child.

Strangely, that hurt less than false hope ever could. I sat down and slowly began eating. For you, I whispered, resting one hand over my stomach. Only for you.

Outside the window, the night stretched endlessly. Tomorrow would be another day. Another meal. Another polite conversation. Another reminder that my husband belonged to someone else.

I had accepted that.

Or at least I was trying to.

The following morning Bella left her room earlier than usual. She hoped to finish checking the kitchen inventory before breakfast. As she reached the bottom of the staircase, she stopped.

Brianna was already there, standing in the dining room.

Smiling.

As though she had spent the night in the Alpha House.

And the moment their eyes met

Brianna took a step toward her.

Good morning, Bella.