Bella's POV
"You expect me to believe that through all of this, you were secretly in love with me?" The words tore from my throat, raw with the ache that clawed its way back into my chest.
"I was in love with you. I still am," Derek said, his hand pressing against his heart as he moved closer.
I threw my palm up between us, creating an invisible wall he couldn't cross.
"Bullshit," I snarled. "You crawled back because your precious wife's womb is empty and you need an heir."
The color drained from his face like I'd slapped him.
"You think I'm still that pathetic girl, don't you? That same broken Bella who hung on your every word?" My voice cracked with fury. "I gave you one final opportunity that night when I told you about the baby. You looked me in the eye and said you never wanted to see me again. I begged you just to say it one more time."
My chest heaved as I glared at him through the space between us.
