Seventy

Zane's POV

I drove in silence as Belle sat beside me, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap. I could feel the tension radiating off her in waves, and I didn’t blame her. The Perri mansion was a place filled with too many bad memories for her, and the thought of going back there—especially with everything happening in her family—must’ve been overwhelming.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked softly, keeping my eyes on the road, though I desperately wanted to turn and see her expression.

She was quiet for a moment, and then she nodded, though her voice came out small, uncertain. “I have to. There’s no running from it.”

“I’ll wait up for you,” I said, breaking the silence. “No matter how long it takes.”

Belle glanced at me then, a sad smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You don’t have to do that, Zane. I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t care,” I replied, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I’ll wait.”

The Perri mansion loomed ahead, its grand silhouette casting long shadows as th