Chapter 48

Belle, Audrey, and Killian made up a story to hide what happened. They claimed that Audrey was needed to accompany Thomas Hill to her doctor relatives in order for Wayne to be examined. They also made up an explanation for why the dean had to leave town.

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Belle’s POV

“Can we talk for a moment?”

My father asked after knocking on my door.

“Sure, but about what?” I asked, removing the headset in my ears and following my father’s gaze, who sat at the study table.

“About your mother—” Henry signed, “It’s been too long since she went missing.”

“Almost six years. I remember it because it was the day before my twelfth birthday,” I say bitterly.

“Yeah, it’s been hard for both of us, especially you, but you still manage to smile,” Henry recalls what they went through these past few years.

“I have too...I need to for both of us,” I responded.

“That’s why I’m grateful to you,” Henry said, smiling warmly.

“And we’re talking abo