Jake***
I close my eyes, knowing this moment is inevitable. Belle’s voice, filled with so much pain and uncertainty, is a constant reminder of everything I’ve kept hidden. But if I don’t tell her now, I risk losing her. If I keep this secret, if I keep hiding, she’ll never trust me again.
“Alright,” I say, my voice hoarse, “I’ll tell you everything. But you need to hear me out, Belle. You need to understand that this wasn’t easy for me either.”
Her face tightens, a storm of emotions swirling in her eyes. She’s holding herself together, but I can see her knuckles turning white as she grips the edge of the table. I watch her carefully, her body rigid yet vibrating with unspoken questions. She’s not pulling away anymore; she’s waiting, wanting to know.
“I found you on the streets that nig
