Bella dropped her keys on the glass table and let out a breath that sounded more like a sigh than a word. "You have no idea."
Becca frowned. "I might. I've met the tiger in him several times"
Luna managed a weak chuckle, stepping aside to take off her shoes.
Becca's eyes softened when she looked at Bella again. "Hey, you okay?"
Bella didn't answer right away. She just walked toward the window, staring out at the drizzle still painting faint streaks across the glass. "He said things again. Same as always. Only this time, worse."
Becca exchanged a quick glance with Luna — one filled with sympathy and quiet frustration.
"He'll never change," Becca muttered. "But that doesn't mean you have to let him ruin your peace."
Bella turned, her expression unreadable. "Peace feels like something I don't even know how to keep anymore."
Luna stepped closer but kept a bit of distance. "You still have people who care about you," she said gently.
Bella looked at her, and for a second, her walls seemed to falter. There was gratitude in her eyes — and guilt.
"I know," she said softly. "And that's what makes it hard."
Becca tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Bella didn't answer. She just sank into the couch, resting her head back, her eyes closing briefly.
Luna sat quietly on the armrest nearby, watching her. There was so much emotion between them — unspoken, complicated, hanging like mist in the air.
Becca crossed her arms. "Okay, someone's got to talk, or I'm going to explode from curiosity. What happened?"
Bella opened one eye, smirking faintly. "He asked if Luna was my girlfriend."
Becca blinked, then groaned. "Oh no… he didn't."
Bella nodded. "He did."
"And what did you say?"
Bella hesitated. "That whatever she is to me is my business."
Luna's cheeks flushed slightly. "You didn't have to defend me like that."
Bella turned her head toward her. "I wasn't defending you. I was defending the truth."
The words hung between them — heavy, meaningful, and dangerously close to something neither of them dared to name.
Becca looked between them, reading the air perfectly. "Okay, I'll pretend I didn't just feel that tension and go check on dinner."
She started toward the kitchen but paused at the door, glancing back. "But Bella," she said softly, "don't let him break you. You're stronger than that."
Bella smiled faintly. "You always say that."
"Because it's true," Becca replied, disappearing into the kitchen.
When the sound of her footsteps faded, silence filled the room again — but this time, it wasn't awkward. It was… delicate.
Luna sat down beside Bella on the couch. For a long moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Luna said, "You know I care about you, right?"
Bella looked at her — eyes tired, but warm. "I know."
Luna hesitated. "But you'll never look at me the way you looked at her, will you?"
Bella's chest tightened. She looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "Luna…"
"It's okay," Luna said quickly, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You don't have to explain."
Bella turned back to her, regret flickering across her face. "You're one of the few people who make me feel… safe. I don't want to lose that."
Luna gave a soft laugh, though her voice trembled. "You won't. I'm not going anywhere."
The clock ticked quietly in the background.
For a moment, they both sat there — two hearts close but not quite touching.
Outside, the rain began again, tapping gently against the windows — soft, persistent, like a memory that refused to fade.
Becca's voice echoed faintly from the kitchen, breaking the silence. "Dinner's ready, ladies! And it smells like heaven, so you better move before I finish it all!"
Bella let out a small laugh. "She never changes."
Luna smiled, watching the way Bella's laughter softened her face. "That's what makes her perfect."
Bella stood, stretching. "Come on," she said quietly. "Let's eat before she actually does."
As they walked toward the diningroom, Luna glanced at Bella again — that same ache sitting quietly behind her smile. She knew Bella's heart still belonged to someone else. But that didn't stop her from staying.
Because sometimes, love wasn't about being chosen.
It was about being there — even when it hurt.
The dining room lights glowed warm and golden, casting soft reflections on the marble counter. The air smelled of garlic, herbs, and something faintly sweet — Becca's signature pasta sauce simmering in the pot.
"Finally," Becca said, pretending to glare as Bella and Luna walked in. "I thought you two planned to starve me."
Bella smirked faintly. "You'd survive. You always do."
Becca shot her a mock glare, then set the plates down. "Sit. Eat. No arguments. You both look like you've been through an emotional car crash."
Luna sat quietly at the end of the table, while Bella took the seat across from Becca. The sound of cutlery filled the silence for a few seconds — soft clinks, the distant hum of rain outside.
Then Becca broke it.
"So… your old man actually asked if Luna was your girlfriend?"
Bella sighed. "You heard right."
Becca shook her head in disbelief. "That man needs therapy. Or maybe a long trip to Mars."
Luna laughed quietly, though it was a nervous laugh. "He just… doesn't understand."
"No," Becca corrected, "he doesn't want to understand."
Bella gave a small shrug. "He's always been like that. I think Mom's the only reason he hasn't completely disowned me."
The mood dipped slightly — the kind of silence that carried shared pain and memories too heavy for words.
Becca reached for her glass, swirling the juice slowly before saying, "You know, I used to envy you."
Bella looked up, surprised. "Me? Why?"
"You had everything — money, family name, looks," Becca said with a small smile. "But the more I got to know you, the more I realized… none of that really mattered, did it?"
Bella's eyes softened. "Not when it comes with cages."
The plates clinked softly as Becca set the last fork down. The storm outside had quieted, leaving behind the hum of rain dripping from the roof. The air in the room felt heavy again, but not from anger—just unspoken things hanging between them.
Bella stared down at her plate, pushing a slice of bread across it without eating. Luna sat across from her, quiet. Becca leaned her chin on her hand, eyes darting between them.
Bella finally broke the silence. "You ever feel like everything's moving, but you're just… stuck?"
Becca tilted her head. "Like being alive but not really living?"
Bella gave a faint smile. "Yeah. Something like that."
Luna spoke softly, her tone cautious. "You just came from a war zone, Bella. Maybe being stuck is safer."
Bella looked up, meeting her eyes. "Safe doesn't always mean right."
Becca chuckled lightly, trying to break the tension. "Wow, we're really getting deep tonight. Should I pour wine or holy water?"
Bella smirked. "Wine. Definitely wine."
Becca stood, grabbing the bottle from the counter. As she poured into their glasses, she said, "You know what your problem is, Bells? You feel too much, and then you hide it like it's a crime."
Bella raised a brow. "Says the woman who pretends she's not in love with Ava."
Becca gasped, half choking on laughter. "Excuse me?! Don't change the subject!"
Luna smiled faintly, the brief moment of humor easing her nerves. But it faded when Becca's gaze softened and she said, "You just gotta stop letting the past own you, Bella. She's still yours, there's just a tiny misunderstanding to my knowledge."
"Becca,Ava moved on,she has a girlfriend who isn't ready to let go either. I'm sure Ava doesn't either " Luna shot her a deadly look.
"There's no harm in trying" Becca sipped her wine.
Bella's eyes lifted sharply. "Becca—"
"Okay, okay. No Ava talk," Becca said quickly, raising her hands. "But you know it's true."
The name hung between them. Luna looked away, trying not to show the flicker of emotion that crossed her face. Ava. Her cousin. Her blood. And yet the woman Bella still ached for.
Bella exhaled slowly, pushing back from the chair. "I'm done eating."
"Already?" Becca asked, but Bella was already on her feet.
"I'm tired," she murmured. "Long day."
Becca glanced at Luna, who hesitated before rising too. "I'll help with the dishes."
Becca waved her off. "Nah, I've got it. Go check on her. She looks like she might start a staring contest with the wall."
Luna nodded and followed Bella upstairs.