Chapter 23

Tristan.

As if it wasn't enough that I had to force myself to forget all about Bella, I had to answer a gazillion questions too.

It had been eight days since she left, seven days since I found her lack of communication bizarre and decided to go looking for her, and a day since her identity was revealed right before my eyes. I still couldn't get over the panicked looks on the faces of the Cartier brothers as they swarmed into the room to see their little sister when she woke up.

I had my suspicions but nothing could have prepared me for this. I hated this. I hated her for lying to me. And worst of all, I hated myself for believing it, for letting her crawl into my daughter's little heart only to break it.

"Daddy," she purred because I had not answered her question.

I picked her up and sat down with her. This was not going to be easy but it was the best choice. "Princess, Bella is not coming back."