"Ah, that..." Jillyanna smoothed down the front of her skirt, her expression softening into an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for doing that without your consent. My husband always runs thorough background checks on people who get close to our children. You might have forgotten, but my daughter Jade really likes you, Belle. For security purposes, Travis investigated your background. Don't worry, the information we gathered stays strictly between us."
"Oh."
The deflation in Belle's voice was instantaneous. The flicker of hope that had briefly illuminated her face vanished, leaving behind a profound, heavy disappointment. Sensing the drop in her mood, Eli quietly reached over and took her hand under the edge of the coffee table, giving it a firm, grounding squeeze.
"I thought... I thought for a second you had actually met my father," she murmured.
"I'm truly sorry for disappointing you, Belle."
