Bella's POV
"We just discovered our mate bond, and my marriage isn't built on love or genuine connection. I'm ready to walk away from Moon. I've only remained with her for the sake of my children. What's stopping us from being together now?" he demanded.
The audacity in his voice made my blood freeze. I hadn't anticipated such brazenness from him.
"Excuse me, could you repeat that? Perhaps I misunderstood," I responded, my smile sharp enough to cut glass.
"The reality is, I'm done pretending with her. I want to be present for my children, to finally hear Tara call me her father," he pressed on.
My head turned slowly, examining his face with growing disbelief as a bitter memory clawed its way to the surface. Once upon a time, he'd sworn he would never allow my child to call him daddy.
The cruel irony twisted my lips into a cold smile.
"I had valid reasons for abandoning you back then," he declared, moving closer with determined steps.
