Hugo's POV
The voice call between Bella and Derek had left me completely on edge.
I couldn't shake the memory of his words, the way his voice had changed when he spoke to her. Even though I was supposed to be here watching the children while they slept, my mind kept circling back to that conversation.
What the hell was Derek thinking? Why now?
I watched Bella move quietly through the suite, feeding the kids their dinner, cleaning up afterward. Her movements were efficient, controlled. But I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she avoided meeting my eyes for too long.
Was she replaying Derek's words too? Was she considering what he had said?
The thought made my chest tighten with something I didn't want to name.
I had known Derek for years. We had been through hell together. Never once had he mentioned having feelings for Bella. Sure, there had been moments where I caught him looking at her a certain way, but I had dismissed it as protective instincts.
