Bella's POV
Facing Parker again felt like swallowing broken glass. I kept my gaze fixed on the conference table, refusing to meet his eyes, but the intensity of his and Derek's stares burned into my skin like brands. Their scrutiny made my nerves crawl until we finally addressed the real reason for this meeting.
I thought I could handle their penetrating looks, dismiss them as meaningless posturing, until I posed what should have been a straightforward question. Instead of receiving the answer I expected, Derek lobbed a devastating accusation at me that made my blood freeze.
"What exactly are you implying?" I demanded, deliberately ignoring Parker's previous inquiry.
Derek's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"She's got three kids now. And here's the interesting part - those children appear to be exactly four years old."
My pulse hammered against my throat. Parker's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, his predatory focus locked entirely on me.
