Chapter 26

Belle’s POV

I guess Dave’s voice must have attracted my parents as I noticed them hurrying down the steps towards where Ben and I stood.

“Where’s Dave?” My father barked angrily.

“He has gone,” Ben replied with a tone of indifference.

“Let’s go after him now!” My father nudged at Ben.

“No father. Let him be,” Ben replied and walked away without waiting for my parents' response. My mother hurried past me and went out the door, as though time would wait for her to meet Dave still crawling to his car.

Shortly after, she burst back in. “Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been? Have you lost your mind, Belle? Do you know that Dave has been awake all night waiting for you? We begged him to sleep in another room, but he refused!” she exclaimed, her face twisted with worry and anger.

I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. It was always about Dave. Always about the Scott family. I scoffed