Melissa.
“Bella, dear! Where have you been? I have been searching everywhere for you,” he said calmly, his voice warm and familiar as he strode toward me. Before I could even react, his hand came to rest softly on my back, a gentle, reassuring tap that carried no threat, no suspicion, only concern.
The moment his touch registered, something inside me unraveled.
I melted.
It was strange, almost painful how natural it felt, how easily my body responded to that simple gesture. I had never known a father’s love before, never felt the quiet strength of it, the way it steadied you without asking anything in return. And now, standing there in Bella’s skin, receiving it so freely, I couldn’t stop the thought that slipped into my mind.
So this is how it feels.
Warm, safe, anchoring.
For a fl
