As Bella untangled herself from Reid's unexpected embrace, she found herself flustered and taken aback by the flood of emotions that moment had unleashed. His tight hug, so filled with sincerity and emotion, was a side of him she had never seen before. She had anticipated a confrontation, perhaps even a demand or threat, but certainly not this display of vulnerability.
Looking at Reid's face, she realized she had only seen such expressiveness once before—on the night they had conceived their baby. It was a stark contrast to the usual cold and impassive demeanor he wore like armor, an impenetrable shield.
Outside, the sky was transitioning into twilight, signaling the approaching darkness. Bella felt a sudden urgency to use the washroom, a common occurrence in her pregnancy. She glanced a
