Bella's POV
The drive home stretched endlessly in suffocating silence. Neither Hugo nor I exchanged a single word during the entire journey.
Tara had curled against my shoulder, her small body relaxed in sleep, completely unaware of the tension crackling between the adults around her.
As we approached the main entrance, I spotted Parker's sleek black sedan already waiting. Moments later, Derek's car came roaring up the driveway, tires crunching against gravel with unnecessary aggression.
The instant Parker emerged from his vehicle, he strode toward me with purposeful steps, extending his arms expectantly.
"She's still sleeping. Handle the other children instead," I said firmly, knowing full well that the kids remained wary around Tara.
Hugo climbed out from the driver's side and carefully lifted Leah into his embrace. Derek immediately lunged forward, practically ripping the child from Hugo's arms with possessive force.
