The moment his tears had fallen, the second Bella's arms had wrapped around him, he had allowed a crack in the armor, one he never should have shown.
His body tensed. He swallowed hard, pushing back whatever remained of that brief, fragile moment of weakness.
Without a word, he pulled away.
"I'll lay Charlotte down." He murmured, his voice rough, barely above a whisper. His hands were steady as he lifted her, though something in his chest felt like it was trembling.
Charlotte stirred, her small face pressing against his shoulder as she mumbled something in her sleep.
Bella watched him, her heart heavy. The silence between them felt thick, suffocating. She took a slow step forward.
"James… you can talk to me." Her voice was soft, careful.
"No."
The word came out fast, sharp then he looked at her and Bella froze, because the man standing in front of her wasn't James Bellini.
The man in front of her was different.
