𝙀𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨

Chapter Eight

As we arrived home, the tension in the air was almost tangible. Bella's silence was like a ticking time bomb, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it exploded. Suddenly, she turned to face me, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded, her voice shaking. "Alice and Edward knew before I did. How could you keep this from me?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my secret pressing heavily on my shoulders. "Bella, I never planned on revealing myself," I said quietly. "I intended to keep it a secret for the rest of my life."

Her eyes widened in shock, and she took a step closer to me, her expression a mixture of confusion and betrayal. "How long have Edward and Alice known? Who else knows?"

"The whole Cullen family knows," I admitted, my voice steady but filled with regret. "They've known since the day James attacked you."

A heavy silence settled between us, the air thick with unspoken words and emotions. Bella's eyes searched mine, trying to make sense of everything. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice softer and tinged with sadness. "Can you turn back? Into your normal form?"

I nodded and closed my eyes, allowing the transformation to take place. When I opened them again, I saw Bella staring at me, her eyes wide with wonder and a soft smile playing on her lips.

"You have a beautiful face," she said gently, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "I'm sorry that you can't choose to be in your normal form and for everything you've had to go through because of your past."

I simply nodded, feeling a mix of emotions I couldn't quite name. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of acceptance and understanding. Bella's words, her acceptance, and her kindness were like a balm to my weary soul.

She reached out and took my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "I wish you had told me sooner," she said softly. "But I understand why you didn't."

Her words brought a lump to my throat, and I squeezed her hand in gratitude. "Thank you, Bella. Your support means more to me than you could ever know."

As I drove home, since it was late and I needed to go home. When I finally arrived home, my moms was waiting for me at the door, their arms crossed and a worried look on their faces.

"Where have you been?" Mama demanded. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I needed to check on Bella," he admitted. "I had to make sure she was okay."

His moms expression softened slightly, but there was still a hint of frustration in her eyes. "You should have told us where you were going. We were worried sick."

"I know, and I'm sorry," I said, my voice sincere. "But I had to see her. It was important."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Just... next time, let us know, okay? We care about you."

"I will," I promised. "Goodnight, Mom."

I headed to my room, feeling the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to me. As I lay down on my bed, I stared at the ceiling, slowly falling asleep.