Bella's POV
The morning after the tense confrontation with Vince, the air in Bella's apartment felt thick with uncertainty. Every corner, every shadow seemed to carry the weight of what had happened. Ethan's presence still lingered in her mind, his promise to protect her and the twins echoing in her thoughts. She couldn't deny the comfort it brought her, but at the same time, she couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her gut.
The twins were still asleep, their small forms curled up on the couch, blissfully unaware of the storm that had just passed. Aiden, with his dark curls and mischievous smile, looked so much like Ethan, but Bella didn't let herself think about that. Aria, quieter but no less energetic, had her mother's eyes—bright, intense, and full of unspoken questions.
Bella stood in the kitchen, absently stirring her coffee, her thoughts miles away. She couldn't stop thinking about Ethan's words last night. I won't let him hurt you again. I'll protect you, and I'll protect our family.
Those words, meant to reassure, also unsettled her. They reminded her of the promises they had made to each other years ago, before everything fell apart. But now, there was so much more at stake. The twins. And then there was Vince—always lurking in the background, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. The screen flashed with Carmen's name. Bella took a deep breath before answering.
"Hey," she greeted, trying to sound normal, even though her heart was racing.
"Hey, girl," Carmen's voice was upbeat, but Bella could hear the concern underneath. "I just wanted to check in. How are you doing? I know last night was… a lot."
Bella walked over to the window, peering out at the busy New York streets below. "I'm okay," she replied, though the words felt hollow. "Ethan's… determined. He wants to protect me. Protect the kids. But Vince—he's not going to stop. I don't know what to do."
Carmen was quiet for a moment, then her voice softened. "Bella, you know you don't have to go through this alone, right? You've got me. And you've got Ethan—whether you're ready for that or not. But what's really going on? I can tell there's more you're not saying."
Bella closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the cool glass of the window. It was hard to keep everything inside, but she had to. She couldn't bring Carmen into the full mess of her past with Vince, not when it involved the twins. Not when Vince still had leverage over them.
"I… I don't know if I can trust Ethan completely," Bella admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to, Carmen. I really do. But there's something about him that I don't understand. Why does he want to be involved in this? In our lives? Is it just because of the kids? Or is it… more than that?"
"Come on, Bella," Carmen replied gently. "You know he's not just doing this for the twins. He never stopped loving you. I saw it in his eyes when we met up with him last time. Don't let the past blind you to what's in front of you now. He's here because he wants to be. And you know it. Don't push him away because of what Vince did to you."
Bella felt a lump form in her throat. Carmen was right, of course. She knew it deep down. But the walls Bella had built around her heart were strong, too strong. Letting Ethan back in, opening up to him again—it terrified her. Vince had destroyed her once. Could she really risk opening herself up to that kind of pain again?
Before she could respond, the sound of little feet pattering across the floor interrupted her thoughts. Aiden appeared, rubbing his eyes sleepily, and Aria was right behind him, her small face lighting up when she saw Bella.
"Good morning, Mommy," Aiden mumbled, yawning.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Bella smiled, kneeling to gather them both in her arms. The warmth of their small bodies was enough to soothe her racing thoughts, if only for a moment. She kissed each of them on their foreheads before standing up.
Carmen's voice broke through the moment. "I've gotta go, girl. But seriously, think about what I said. I'm here for you, no matter what."
Bella gave a small laugh. "I know. Thanks, Carmen."
She hung up and turned her attention to the twins. Aiden was already rummaging through the kitchen for cereal, while Aria tugged at Bella's hand.
"Mommy," Aria said softly, her big brown eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"
Bella's heart twisted. Her daughter, so young, yet so perceptive. She cupped Aria's face, smiling as warmly as she could. "I'm fine, sweetie. Just a little tired."
"Is Daddy coming to visit?" Aiden asked, turning around with a spoon in his hand, his expression innocent and curious.
Bella froze, her breath catching in her throat. She had never told them about Ethan. She hadn't even brought up the possibility of their father being a part of their lives. The sudden mention of "Daddy" stung, as if they knew more than she had given them credit for. But she couldn't let them get attached to the idea, not yet.
"No, honey," she said gently, her voice steady despite the tremor in her heart. "Daddy isn't here right now, but he's always thinking of you."
Aiden nodded but didn't press further, and Aria simply hugged Bella tighter, her small arms wrapping around her waist. Bella's heart ached with the weight of the secret she had kept for so long. How could she explain the truth to them when she wasn't even sure how to explain it to herself?
Later that afternoon, Bella found herself in her design studio, surrounded by sketches and fabrics. She had hoped that the creative process would calm her nerves, but it only seemed to intensify her thoughts. Her mind kept drifting back to Ethan, to the way his presence filled the space around her, to the way his eyes softened when he looked at her.
What if I let him back in? What if this time is different?
The door to her studio opened, and she turned to find Carmen standing there with a mischievous grin on her face.
"I've got something for you," Carmen said, holding up a small box. "It's from Ethan. He insisted I bring it to you."
Bella's stomach twisted at the mention of his name, but she found herself unable to stop the flutter in her chest as she walked over to Carmen. "From Ethan?"
Carmen nodded. "Yep. Go on, open it."
Bella hesitated, then slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a small, elegant necklace with a pendant in the shape of a heart. The chain sparkled, catching the light as Bella held it in her hands. There was a small note tucked beneath it.
She unfolded the paper and read Ethan's handwriting: For you and the twins. To remind you that you're never alone, no matter what happens.
Bella's fingers trembled slightly as she read the words. She had known that Ethan had been fighting for her, for them—but this gesture, this symbol of his promise… it felt different. It felt real.
And suddenly, she found herself wondering if maybe, just maybe, she had been holding back too much.