Whispers in the rain | charles leclerc *ੈ✩

Part 2 🩵 : Chapter 27 : Anti Hero

Charles ❤️

I stood outside her apartment, staring at my watch—6:58.

My heart pounded harder than it ever did before a race.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.

The sound felt too loud in the quiet hallway, and I immediately regretted it.

But then the door swung open, and my stomach dropped.

Logan.

"Charles," he greeted me flatly, "Didn't think you'd actually come."

I was too stunned to respond at first, my mind spinning.

I looked past him, into the apartment, but all I could see was the warm, lived-in space — toys scattered on the floor, a small jacket hanging on the hook, a sight so domestic it made my stomach churn.

"What the hell are you doing here, Logan?" My voice came out colder than I intended.

Logan crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the doorframe as if he belonged here — as if this was his home. "I've been living here for the last four years, ever since I found out about Bella."

Four years.

I felt my chest tighten, a mix of shock and fury rising in me.

Living here? With her? With my daughter?

"You've been what?" My words came out sharper now, the anger clawing at my throat.

"Yeah, you heard me," he said with a smug shrug, "Jules needed help. Bella and Jules needed someone to actually be here for them. So I stepped up."

The way he said it, like I had just abandoned them and left Jules to fend for herself.

I opened my mouth to argue, to shout, to tell him he had no right, but then a thought hit me like a sucker punch to the gut.

Was he with Jules?

Had he been with her all this time while I was in the dark?

Before I could respond, I noticed movement behind him.

A small figure was peeking out from behind Logan's leg.

Big hazel eyes wide and curious.

Bella.

For a split second, our eyes met.

But as soon as she realized I saw her, she bolted down the hallway, disappearing into the apartment.

My heart sank.

It was like a punch to the gut—watching her run away from me, my own daughter.

Logan smirked, "Yeah, she's a little shy. Maybe it's for the best."

I gritted my teeth. "Logan, you've had your fun. Now get out of the way."

But he didn't move.

Instead, he leaned in, lowering his voice. "You know, Charles, Bella doesn't need you. She's had everything she needs without you in her life."

"Funny, Logan," I said coldly, "I don't remember you being part of this family. Or maybe you're just playing the role I left behind?"

His smirk faltered for a moment, "Jules and I are close. Closer than you'd think."

"I'm sure you are," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I'm not here for you. I'm here for Bella. So if you don't mind, I'd like to go inside."

Logan stood his ground, sneering at me like he'd already won.

"She doesn't need you, Charles," he said again, "You've missed it all. You're too late."