Hugo's POV
Years ago:
The night before had been everything I hoped for with Bella. For the first time in months, I felt like I might actually have a chance with her.
Even though I'd been disappointed when Derek and Parker made their intentions clear, part of me remained hopeful. They'd told me we were all in this together now, that it would be her choice who she wanted to be with. I hated the arrangement, but refusing meant losing her completely.
I couldn't handle the thought of anyone else having feelings for her. When they'd read those journal entries aloud, hearing her thoughts about other guys nearly destroyed me. What made it worse was her reaction when they told her about the invasion of privacy. She just shrugged it off like it didn't matter.
That indifference stung. I wanted her to fight back, to show some fire, some backbone. Instead, she stood there meek and passive, which only made my chest tighten with frustration.
