Chapter 17: Boundaries Crossed

BELLA

David’s words lingered in my mind. “I won't bring you to the public unless you want to.” He said it so casually, but the weight of it hung in the air, like a truth neither of us dared to acknowledge. I stayed quiet, letting it simmer.

Our trip was supposed to be relaxing, but my thoughts kept circling back to that man who’d soured David’s mood. Who was he, really? Even as I laughed with David along the shore, I sensed a shadow in his eyes a tension he couldn’t hide.

Back at home, the atmosphere was heavy. I couldn’t just ignore it anymore, so I dialed Elowen.

“Elowen, remember the guy from our trip? The one who got under David’s skin?”

“Oh, I remember him alright,” she replied. I caught myself before calling David “my man,” realizing how natural it felt. “Can you look into him for me?”

Elowen paused, curiosity in her voice. “Since when are you this invested?”

“Just… something about him seemed off.”

“Give me a bit. I’ll dig around and call you back.”

Jasper’s small voice suddenly