Chapter 101 Bella's POV

Chapter 101 Bella's POV
Chapter Hundred and one

Bella’s POV

After work was over, I made my way to the cold hospital hallway.

I walked slowly toward Noah’s ward, trying to steady my breathing. After everything that happened with Xander… I was exhausted.

I pushed open Noah’s door.

My baby was asleep, he was looking peaceful. I brushed his hair gently and kissed his forehead.

“I’m right here, sweetheart,” I whispered.

I was right in my safe space. Anywhere with Noah was my safe space.

I watched over him for a few minutes before my phone buzzed. It was Daniel.

I stepped out of the ward, closing the door quietly behind me before answering.

“Bella,” he said immediately I answered. “How are you? Did he do anything to you?”

I exhaled shakily. “I’m fine. I’m at the hospital.”

“He didn’t threaten you?” Daniel insisted. “Should I come over right now? Just tell me.”

“No,” I whispered. “Please don’t come. I don’t want you dragged into this mess more than you already are, it's you I should be worried about. I'm really sorry about Xander’s attitude today.”

Daniel exhaled softly. “Look, Xander words does not bother me one bit. I only care about you and Noah.

He paused for a moment before resuming. “And Bella… forgive me for saying this, but I don’t trust him.”

I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes.

“Everything is too much,” I said quietly. “I’m just so overwhelmed… Xander isn't going to let go of Noah. He also called us his family.”

“Where are you going with this, Bella?”

My voice trembled a bit. “I think… I think Xander is my best option for now. Elena will definitely come back to hunt me and Noah, but with Xander… I feel safe.”

Daniel’s voice softened. “Bella… you don’t have to go back to him.”

My heart pounded rapidly. I stood there in silence.

“You don’t owe him anything,” he continued. “Not your peace, not your safety, nothing. He hurt you. He treated you badly as a worker, what makes you think he'll treat you better as the mother of his son? You raised Noah all alone. And now that he’s found out, he thinks he can storm in and take over your life?”

His voice went low. “You don’t have to choose him just because he’s Noah’s biological father.”

I blinked away the tears gathering in my eyes.

“Daniel…” I murmured.

“You deserve someone who makes you feel safe,” he said firmly. “Not someone who scares you. You deserve someone like… me.”

A lump formed in my throat.

“What… what about us, Bella? Is there even a chance for me?”

“I… I… I just… I don’t know what to do,” I confessed. “Everything is happening too fast.”

“Just breathe,” he murmured softly. “One thing at a time. Start with Noah. Start with taking care of yourself. Forget Xander for a moment. Just… breathe.”

I slid down slowly on the wall to the floor and pressed my forehead to my knees, tears flowed freely.

Daniel had once again tried to comfort me without trying.

“You’re not alone, Bella,” Daniel added. “Not anymore. I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

I nodded slowly, even though he couldn’t see me.

“Okay,” I whispered with my cracked voice. “Okay.”

When I ended the call, I stayed on the floor for a long moment.

I didn’t sleep, not even for a minute.

The hospital room was dim, quiet, and cold, but my mind was racing.

Daniel’s words kept replaying over and over in my head. “What about us?”

Daniel was warm to me… like a brother. There could be no “us” else it would feel like dating a sibling.

My stomach kept twisting and untwisting.

Noah lay beside me, breathing softly, wrapped in blankets that felt too big for his little body. I kept my hand on him the whole night, afraid that if I let go even for a second, something might happen.

I just wanted silence and peace.

Around 2 a.m., I heard footsteps outside the room. They were slow and heavy.

The door creaked open.

I jerked up and froze. It was Xander.

He was standing there like he hadn’t slept in years. His hair was messy, his shirt rumpled, his eyes tired. He looked like someone that had a bad hangover.

“Bella…” His voice was low.

I felt fear shoot through me before I could stop it. My body tensed so fast I hated myself for it… I felt weak.

“Why are you here?” I whispered.

He didn’t move closer at first. He looked at Noah… then at me.

“Because I couldn’t sleep,” he said. “I decided to come check up on Noah. I knew you'd be here too.”

My chest tightened painfully. “Xander… this isn’t a good time.”

“I know,” he murmured. “But I’m here anyway.”

He stepped closer. “I’m not here to fight,” he said. “I’m not here to shout. I’m not here to force anything.”

Noah stirred again on the bed. I rubbed his back softly, humming under my breath to calm him.

Xander walked closer. “Can I sit?” he asked quietly.

I nodded.

“Did he… ever ask about his father?”

My chest tightened. “Yes,” I whispered.

Xander’s jaw clenched. “And what did you tell him?”

“That his father was… far away.”
I swallowed.

“Bella…” he breathed, “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

Xander leaned forward slightly. “You should never have been alone in this.”

“I was alone, Xander. I was terrified. I was pregnant and sick and hiding and broke. I had no one. I thought people wanted to hurt us,” my voice cracked. “You have no idea how many nights I cried myself to sleep hoping for a miracle.”

Xander clenched his fist tightly. “If only I knew…”

“But you didn’t know,” I said sharply. “Your mother made sure of that.”

Xander gritted his teeth. “She won’t ever get near him or you again. I promise you that.”

I shook my head. “It doesn't matter. The damage is done.”