The words hung heavily in the air, crashing down around Bella as she stood frozen, trying to process the impossible truth he had just revealed. 'I am a Walton!' she mumbled to herself. She staggered, the world around her blurring.
"Bella!" Philip stretched his hand toward her to support her.
Bella held out a hand and stopped him.
Philip hesitated, knowing the emotional storm going on inside her. But he approached her, gathering his confidence. "I wanted to explain that day, but I couldn't. I was…"
Bella shot him a stern glare, making him pause in mid-sentence. "I don't need your explanation," she hissed. Stepping further back. "Stay away." She turned to leave, but Philip rushed over and blocked her path.
"I know you are upset with the Waltons," he said, desperation etching in his voice. "And you should. But there were some misunderstandings in the past. Dad had never abandoned you and your mom. Things weren't easy for Dad…"
