Page 60 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride

“Can I make anyone a coffee?” I ask.

“Yes, please.” Belle nods.

“And me.”

“And me. We’ll be in the living room,” Alya says, taking Belle’s hand and leading her away.

Kira throws me a stern look before she walks out of the kitchen. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us,” she whispers, shaking her head.

I smirk and shrug. What can I say?

While I’m making the coffee for everyone, I’m nervous, wondering if they’re getting along and what they’re talking about. My sisters can be a handful. Kira is bossy, and Aly is very excitable. Not around everyone, but around people they like.

I really hope they like Belle.

I set the coffee on a tray and carry it through to the living room. The girls are laughing and talking enthusiastically.

Belle is glowing, a wide smile on her face. A smile I haven’t seen in a few days.

“I love it in LA. The beach is amazing. I think I’m starting to get a tan, and I haven’t even spent a full day in the sun yet.”

“You have to come for a beach day with us. Maybe this weekend?”

“I don’t know if I can do a full day. I don’t go caramel tan, I go red and lobster.”

Kira laughs, and Belle rolls her eyes.

“My brother tans after standing in the sun for five minutes. It’s not fair how much more effort we girls have to put in,” Belle complains. “But I’d love to do a beach day with you guys. As long as we take an umbrella.”

“Done,” Aly says, "we have plenty at home."

I sit down and watch them, not interrupting the conversation, just watching.

Belle stopped talking to me or reaching out for me after the incident at the office. Seeing her now, laughing and enjoying herself, warm and letting her humor spill out—I miss this.

I didn’t even realize how much I missed it until right this moment.

There’s been a heavy yearning in my heart, and I understand what it is now.

Belle glances at me, but quickly looks away again. The brief moment our eyes meet, my heart flips, and a smile touches my face.

She smiles too, but it’s shy and tight until she turns back to Aly and Kira.

My sisters end up staying for a few hours.

The girls have been sharing stories the entire time. They’re clearly having a great time. I even leave for a while to grab some snacks as it nears lunch time.

The entire time, all I can think about is how it’s my fault that Belle has pulled away.

She has every right to be angry with me. I put her in a position that wasn’t fair. Her brother is angry ather,and that’s not fair, either.

All of this is my fault.

I should have reached out to Benedikt within a few days of taking Belle.

Why didn’t I?

The answer is obvious. Because the moment I had her, there was something about her I didn’t understand. I was mesmerized by her, completely taken by her. Even before I realized it was happening, I wasn’t willing to let her go.