Bella:
As soon as my mother said those words, the world blurred around me. I turned to face the triplets and Hazel. Their expressions hardened. Tears welled up in my eyes, but that wasn't the problem-the churning in my stomach was. I pushed past the triplets, who tried to hold me back, and bolted toward the restroom. I barely made it before everything I'd eaten came rushing up, splattering into the nearest toilet.
I collapsed onto the cold tile floor, my body trembling. Moments later, Finn pushed the restroom door open, not caring that it was the girls' restroom. He swooped me into his arms, cradling me against his chest as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Without a word, he carried me outside to where the others were waiting.
"Where's Bella?" my mother asked, her voice cold. Ryder, Hazel, and Kai stepped aside, revealing me in Finn's arms. "Your bags have been packed in the dorm, and Fred is waiting outside to take you home."
As soon as she finished, Kai spoke up, his voice trembling with barely contained anger. "I've been forced to speak, and I can't keep it in any longer. Why would you do such a thing to Bella?"
My mother remained silent, her expression unreadable. Then, without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away.
"Vacate the premises, or I'll be forced to do it the hard way," she said over her shoulder. Ryder, seething with rage, made a move to go after her, but I grabbed his shoulder, stopping him.
We watched her disappear down the hallway, and then Finn carried me out to the now-empty corridor as the students had been dispersed to their classes. The silence was deafening as we made our way to the front door.
When we reached the entrance, we saw Alpha Fred waiting with three cars. My mother approached him, wrapping her arms around him, and he kissed her cheek softly. My stomach knotted in disgust. I used to think he was different, but how could he be good if he was with someone as terrible as my mother? Something didn't add up.
"You can put me down now," I murmured to Finn, and he gently set me on my feet, sliding his hand into mine. "Dad, what is the meaning of this?" Ryder erupted, rushing toward his father. Alpha Fred broke away from my mother, a sigh escaping his lips.
"Evelyn has every right to do what she thinks is best for her daughter," he said, and I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
"Every time, it's the same thing! 'What's best for her daughter.' She's never done anything right for me, and all she does is expect the worst to happen. She thinks so little of me, and to be honest, I wish you had died instead of Mina," I spat, my voice trembling with anger. My mother reached for my hand, but Alpha Fred raised a hand, stopping her. I stared at her, fighting to keep the tears from falling. She was cold-blooded; my tears would mean nothing to her. "That's all, sir," one of the men with Alpha Fred said as he closed the trunk.
"See you later, honey," Alpha Fred said, kissing my mother's cheek again, which only deepened the knot of disgust in my stomach.
"That's it? You're in on this? Bella is being suspended for a fake video, and you think this is right?" Ryder's voice cut through the air like a knife as he faced both of them square.
"Ryder, baby, I think everyone just needs to keep their emotions in check because-"
"I'm talking to my father!" he snapped, cutting her off.
"Watch your tone!" Alpha Fred's voice was stern.
"Then you watch your wife," Ryder retorted, scoffing before turning to my mother. "Ever since I was little, I hated that my father married you, but you made yourself look like a saint. Then you treated Bella like crap. I hated her too because I was drawn to her, but your actions fueled that hatred. It's sad that someone as great as her has to have a mother like you because you are not worthy to be called one!"
Alpha Fred's hand met Ryder's face with a sharp slap, and my mother turned away, taking a deep breath.
Ryder placed a hand on his stinging cheek, his eyes locking with his father's. "Hit me, punish me, I don't care. You're both monsters, and you'll never get away with this! I have only a few months until I'm legal to challenge you to a duel."
"I'd like to see you try, but for now, stick to your books, young man," Alpha Fred replied, folding his arms and maintaining a cold, straight face.
"Fuck you both! I hate you!" Ryder exploded, storming away. Alpha Fred turned to the twins and Hazel, who were still standing there, rooted to the spot.
"What are you both still doing here? Don't you have classes to get to, or should I call your father?" he roared, causing them to scurry away. Hazel kept glancing back at me, tears brimming in her eyes.
Alpha Fred turned to me next, reaching out to place a hand on my shoulder.
"With all due respect, save it, sir," I said coldly, pulling away and opening the car door. I got in, slamming it shut behind me.
Inside the car, I watched as Alpha Fred gently brushed my mother's hair aside, kissing her forehead. My stomach churned with disgust. Why was she playing the victim when I was the one being punished for something I didn't do? "Fuck you, Sebastian," I muttered under my breath, curling up on the seat and hugging my knees to my chest. I wondered what my life would have been like if he had been found guilty of Bonnie's murder. I would have had my father, and I wouldn't be stuck here with my mother.
Shortly after, Alpha Fred got into the car, and the chauffeur started the engine. The ride to his house was silent, tension hanging thick in the air. When we arrived, I got out without waiting for them. Alpha Fred followed, grabbing my shoulder.
"Bella, I want you to know Evelyn means the best," he said, his tone softening.
"I'm tired of that word, and my mother's actions are expected, but you know what's shocking? I used to think you were a good person, but I was wrong," I replied, turning away and opening the door to the house..