Chapter 151
Bella
I stepped out of the cab, my heart pounded in my chest, an uncomfortable mix of fear and anticipation. The restaurant in front of me looked warm and inviting, but I could already feel the weight of the conversation that awaited inside. I should’ve told Ace about this—about meeting Maya—but something inside me needed to handle this on my own first. I wanted to know where Maya stood, without Ace’s influence, without anyone else involved. Just the two of us, face to face.
Maya and I had always shared a bond that went beyond my relationship with Ace. Even in the years when he and I weren’t together, she had been a constant in my life, a grounding presence. But I knew that bond was fragile now. She was fiercely protective of her son, and I couldn’t blame her for questioning
