It’s been three days since she’s been home.

Bell has been dreading this moment. The moment she would have to go back home. If she can even call it that anymore.

Home is where you feel safe. Where the people you trust live. But she can’t trust her mother. Not after lying and manipulating her about so many aspects of her life.

But it isn’t fair to her sister or her father (Hai is still her father, even if not biologically). So she’s going back for dinner, and depending on how well that goes, spending her first evening back with them.

She’s been able to hide out at Cross’ house. His parents love her and even before being knowing that she was their son’s soulmate, they always offered her their guest room.

The last three days were a breeze. It’s so easy with Cross. Roman even stopped and spent one of the nights too since his parents were going through one of their many fights. Both her and Cross knew what his home life was like. Not peaceful. So naturally, he asked to stay at Cross’. It felt nice for it to be just the three of them since that’s how it started.

All good things must come to an end.

The clouds gather in the sky, reflecting her emotions. That might be her powers doing that. Or maybe the weather is in tune with Bell.

“You sure you want to do this? I can come in with you?” Cross offers. He’s dropping her off, nicely walking her to the door.

Shaking her head, she says, “No, it’s something I need to do myself, but thanks. I really appreciate you and your parents letting me stay.” It warms her heart that he wants to be more there for her than he’s already been. But she needs to stop avoiding and face the truth.

“Anytime. Literally. My parents are ecstatic that we’re soulmates. Like over the moon.” Telling his parents was so much easier than her revealing it to her mom. They opened their arms and welcomed her in, though making it clear they always loved her even before knowing this.

“Ok, I guess I should go in,” she hesitates, stalling because of the uncomfortableness awaiting her inside.

“Good luck,” he says, and kisses her on the cheek.

It makes her feel a little bit better.

OoOoO

Sitting at the table, she has so many memories at brings up mixed emotions.

She remembers playing games at this very table. Laughing at her dad’s jokes. Hear about Greta’s college days. Enjoying her mom’s cooking. Right here.

But she’s still angry at her mom. Sad for her dad. Angry again at her mom. And the Arlo guy that biologically is her father.

“Bell, I am so glad that you joined us for dinner,” her mom says, attempting to break the ice. She wears a nervous, wavering smile on her face.

“I thought I avoided it enough. I just needed some time to process it away from here. I’m processing it still.” Bell fidgets with her fingers underneath the table, a habit she picked up on from her mother unfortunately.

Her dad, who is next to her, gives her an understanding look. One that says a lot more than words. “We get that. You deserve that time,” her dad says.

Bell glances at her sister, and she can see that Greta is uneasy. Guilt wells up in her for just leaving her sister in this mess, even though she was the one who encouraged her to leave. “I think we need to talk about it though.”

“Yes. We do,” her mom says simply.

Their food is forgotten by now. Bell doesn’t have much of an appetite anyway. Her dad inserts a bit of unknown information to her, “While you were away, your mom told me everything. From what she did to you and Cross to me and everything in between.”

His eyes are sad. Bell doesn’t think she ever saw that in him before. It breaks her heart.

“Do you believe her?” She can’t help but ask him. Because she doesn’t know how easily she trusts anything coming from her again.

Sighing, he takes a glimpse at Wren but quickly shifts his attention back to Bell. “I am choosing to right now.”

That’s enough for her. At least at this moment.

She can believe what her mom says (maybe), but it doesn’t mean she forgives her.

“What do you want to know, Bell,” her mom questions, not beating around the bush. Much more like her mom before all these massive reveals. In some weird way, it comforts Bell. But only for a second.

Her mind is jumbled. A million questions plague her and the desire for answers is strong. But she’s scared. How much more can she take?

“I want to know why you did all of this. Why manipulate dad? Why not tell him about Arlo? Why lie about me, to me? What does it have to do erasing my memory of Cross being my soulmate? I want all of it answered,” her tone surprisingly stays strong even though she doesn’t feel like that on the inside. She’s shaking like a leaf inside.

Her mom takes a deep breath, like she does when she is going to say a lot. Which she better be.

“I do love your father. You don’t have to believe me, but I do. I was insecure about our love and that’s why I used my powers on Hai. Arlo was never supposed to happen. But I wanted to raise my children in a peaceful home. Singular,” she starts out. Bell doesn’t interrupt and tries to stay quiet. She doesn’t love the reasoning, but she should hear her out.

Wincing at her own actions, her mom continues, “And I was scared of being too deep in my lie. So I thought it would be best for you and for me if Hai was your dad. Arlo said that whatever I decided he would agree with. When I saw my baby girl find her soulmate, I panicked. Everything in me screamed about how soulmates were messy and you would be better off without one. So I made it like you didn’t have one. That was a horrible decision I made that I regret. Not that that changes anything. I have hurt you and Cross, Hai, Greta, and Arlo by manipulating you all and keeping these secrets for so long. I truly am sorry.”

Bell has never felt so strange at this table before. It’s like her whole life was just told to her. For the first time.

While her mom could be using her mind powers to make her believe her story, Bell’s pretty sure she’s telling the truth this time. There wouldn’t be a reason to confess all this when her mom had the power to make it all go away.

She hadn’t realized how quiet it was until her mother speaks.

“What do you need from me?”

The question strikes her at her very core. Up until now, she feels like she lost a lot of control of her life. But now, her mom is asking her.

What _does_ she need? What does she _want_?

Bell has no idea.