Bella’s POV

Hugo pressed his back against the stone wall, finding purchase on a jutting rock with his boot. His muscles strained as he carefully lifted Leah toward my waiting arms. Her sodden dress made her small body feel impossibly heavy, but I managed to haul her up onto the grass with determination that surprised even me.

The moment she touched solid ground, a weak cough escaped her lips. Relief flooded through my system.

"She’s going to be fine," I whispered, smoothing her damp hair away from her pale face with trembling fingers.

All three of my precious children now sprawled on the ground, looking utterly defeated and waterlogged. My heart ached seeing them in such a vulnerable state.

Now came Hugo’s turn to climb. I watched with bated breath as he positioned his foot carefully on one of the protruding stones. His large frame moved with surprising grace as he reached upward, searching for a solid handhold.

The stone beneath him shifted slightly under his considerable weight. He paused, recalibrated, then found another grip point.

"Take your time," I called down to him, trying to keep the worry from my voice.

"Just need to maintain my balance," he grunted back, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool air.

His size worked against him as several stones crumbled under his weight, but he adapted quickly, sliding his foot to more secure positions. Each movement was calculated, purposeful.

When he finally climbed within reach, I seized both his wrists and pulled with every ounce of strength my body possessed. Though I knew he could manage without me, something primal in me needed to help bring him to safety.

With my assistance, he scaled the remaining distance rapidly.

The second his boots touched solid ground beside me, I pressed my palm flat against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my touch sent waves of relief cascading through me.

But Hugo immediately shifted his attention to the children, moving to check their condition with practiced concern.

While Hugo knelt beside my vulnerable children, thundering footsteps announced another arrival. Someone was charging toward us with frightening intensity.

"What the hell happened here?" Derek’s voice cut through the air like a blade as he stormed closer.

Hugo was gently touching Leah’s cheek when Derek barreled forward, shoving him aside with unnecessary force, and scooped Leah from the ground.

My body jerked forward instinctively, but I froze when Leah began showing signs of consciousness. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Only then did I notice the additional figures following in Derek’s wake. Lord Morris moved with predatory purpose, while Serena trailed behind them both.

I stepped toward Derek, arms extended to reclaim Leah, but he raised his free hand in a commanding gesture to halt my approach while clutching her protectively.

She stirred in his arms, coughing weakly. Nearby, Zack was also beginning to regain consciousness, prompting Hugo to move toward him with gentle reassurance.

"I don’t like her."

Leah’s sudden scream shattered the tense silence.

Everyone froze. Tara was stirring too, so I quickly gathered her into my arms before she could become fully aware of the chaos surrounding us.

She opened her innocent eyes and scanned the scene, searching for her siblings, then gazed up at me with unmistakable concern etched across her tiny features.

"I don’t like my sister."

Leah continued her distressed cries, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Derek held her closer, but she fixed me with a look that made my stomach drop.

"What exactly happened here?" His tone demanded immediate answers.

"Release my daughter. I’m perfectly capable of caring for my own children," I stated firmly, attempting to move closer despite holding Tara.

But Leah recoiled deeper into Derek’s embrace, actively trying to distance herself from me.

"She’s terrified of you. What did you do to her?" Derek’s accusation hit like a physical blow, though he directed his harsh gaze toward Tara rather than me.

"Don’t you dare speak to her that way," I snapped at Derek, my protective instincts flaring.

"Why not, Mommy? She pushed me in the well."

Leah’s declaration sent visible shock waves through Derek’s expression.

"She did what?" His voice rose dangerously, and I forced myself to breathe deeply before responding.

"It’s the illness affecting her judgment," I explained, gesturing for him to moderate his reaction.

Watching him cradle my daughter while backing away and shouting at Tara filled me with rising panic. My little girl was becoming increasingly frightened by his aggressive behavior.

"You’re not capable of protecting my daughter."

Those words from Derek hit me like a sledgehammer.

Every sleepless night, every sacrifice, every moment I’d dedicated to building a secure life for my children flashed before my eyes in painful clarity.

"Back off, Derek," Hugo finally intervened, his voice thunderous while he held Zack protectively.

"Actually, you need to put my grandchild down immediately." Lord Morris stepped forward with calculated menace.

Since he witnessed his son’s aggressive treatment of me, he apparently felt entitled to reveal his true nature.

"He’s not your grandchild. These children belong to Bella," Hugo corrected the old man with fierce determination.

"Actually, that’s incorrect. Leah is my daughter," Derek declared with shocking certainty.

"That’s absolutely true. Bella and I were intimate several years ago, and she approached me claiming pregnancy. So yes, I’m stating this clearly for everyone to hear. I’m demanding a DNA test immediately. And until those results are finalized, I’m keeping my daughter in my custody," Derek announced, leaving me speechless.

Serena gasped audibly, covering her mouth while stepping backward. Lord Morris’s expression transformed into a satisfied smirk.

"You heard the man clearly. Now hand over my grandchild."

I noticed Lord Morris’s attention seemed unnaturally focused on Zack specifically, which sent chills down my spine.

"You’re actually going to steal my child from me?" I whispered to Derek, certain he could see the tears gathering in my eyes.

"I’m not stealing anything. You’re removing them from yourself. Simply accept me if you want to remain in your children’s lives. Our children," Derek replied, jabbing his finger toward his chest.

"What are you saying, Derek? What about our relationship?" Serena attempted to interject, but Lord Morris silenced her with a warning gesture.

"You’ve completely lost your mind," Hugo observed grimly.

"No, I’m finally thinking clearly. Either accept me or I’m taking Leah permanently," Derek threatened, once again demonstrating why his past rejection had been the greatest blessing of my life.

Had I discovered his toxic nature later, I would have been trapped forever.