Eli looked back at her, completely unaware of the storm of emotions he had just created. He simply tilted his head, waiting for her to respond, wondering why she was staring at him like that.
Eli, completely unaware of the emotional storm he had caused inside her, called her again.
"Mumma!"
Bella's eyes became even wider.
She slowly lifted one finger and pinched the skin of her arm.
"Ouch!"
She immediately pulled her hand back.
Leo, who had been watching the entire thing, frowned and walked closer.
"Bella!"
She looked up at him, still stunned.
"What?"
"Why are you pinching yourself?"
Bella stared at him as though he had asked the most ridiculous question in the world.
"He called me Mumma."
Leo's expression softened.
"I heard."
Bella looked back at Eli.
"Mumma..." Eli repeated, smiling now as though he couldn't understand why she was making such a strange face.
Bella's eyes immediately filled with tears.
Her lips trembled into the brightest smile.
