Chapter 18

Bella's POV

I stood frozen in disbelief as I stared at the man who had just walked into the room. It couldn't be him. It had been years since I last saw him, and I had long accepted that he was gone from my life forever. But there he stood, my estranged father, David Montgomery, a wealthy businessman who had abandoned our family when I was just a child.

A whirlwind of emotions churned within me. Anger, resentment, and a deep sense of abandonment collided with a glimmer of hope and the faintest hint of curiosity. I struggled to find my voice, my thoughts spinning in a chaotic dance.

Xander's hand gently squeezed mine, grounding me in the present. His warm presence was a source of strength amidst the storm that raged inside me. I looked into his eyes, searching for guidance, and found reassurance and understanding.

"Is everything alright, Bella?" Xander asked, his concern evident in his voice.

I took a deep breath, gathering my composure, and turned to face my father. "What are you doin