Bella's POV
I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "So you couldn't convince her, but somehow I'm supposed to pull it off? That's rich, isn't it? Like you've orchestrated this whole mess—just waiting for me to cave."
Richard's expression turned thunderous, ready to explode, but Jasper shot him a warning glance to keep him in check.
I'd already spent the entire night on my knees and hadn't budged an inch. Pushing me any harder would only fuel my anger.
Richard huffed coldly and turned away without a word.
Jasper swallowed his frustration, forcing his voice into measured calm. "How far are you planning to push this? If Grandmother finds out what happened, do you think her heart can handle the shock?"
At Ursula's mention, something stirred in my frozen chest. She was the only reason I'd come back to this hellhole—to heal her.
