*Bella*
Ric came to my room early in the morning. When he saw me crying, he promised to fix things and said he'd always be there for me. Against Dad's strict instructions, he handed me his phone, so I could speak with Vin. Dad was terrifying when angry, and we all dreaded his wrath. Dad's anger was something none of us wanted to provoke, but Ric was willing to risk it to console me. He admitted he couldn't retrieve my phone from Dad's possession, but promised to facilitate secret conversations with Vin whenever I wished.
Hearing Vin's voice over the phone, I couldn't contain my sobs. While his words offered hope, the fear of Dad's disapproval lingered. I hoped Dad would eventually see the depth of Vin's love for me and come to accept our relationship. Yet, I couldn't shake the anxiety ab
