Bella's POV
Every eye in the room locked onto Richard.
As head of our family, his word carried absolute authority.
Ursula didn't create a scene—just pierced Richard with a look that could cut glass.
Seeing her disappointment, Richard's face crumpled like he'd taken a knife to the chest.
He clearly didn't want to tear the duke's estate apart or burn bridges with Ursula.
More importantly, if they severed ties, Ursula would drag me away with her.
'What happens to the marriage arrangement with the Sinclair family then?' Richard must have been thinking. 'All our scheming would be worthless.'
His jaw clenched, eyes bloodshot with unshed tears as he begged Ursula, "Mother, please don't force us to cut ties. You're my mother..."
That desperate cry of "Mother" would've broken anyone's heart, and Ursula visibly flinched.
'He's my son,' pain flickered across her features. 'How can I abandon the child I've raised for decades?
But if I don't take this stand, Bella has no escape.'
