Bella's POV
"Look at you, completely transformed," my father observed as we stood across from each other.
"Funny, because you appear exactly the same," I responded. The words weren't meant as an attack, just pure honesty.
"Your sister ensures I live comfortably. No financial stress, no burdens. These days, I simply relax and enjoy myself."
His praise for her came so effortlessly, something I could never recall receiving from him during my childhood.
"Word travels that you're making waves in the human realm. You must be thriving," he added.
The moment those words left his mouth and my brow started to furrow, he chuckled, signaling it was merely jest.
"I suppose I ought to tell you I'm proud."
Those words sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.
"Well, thank you," I managed, inhaling deeply. "Perhaps Mother would have expressed similar sentiments."
I deliberately wove her name into our conversation, something I had never dared attempt before.
