“A new friend of mine gave me some words of wisdom, and you need to hear them,” she continues, her blue eyes flashing with that determination I’ve seen before.
In Xander’s eyes.
My throat thickens on recognition of it. Fresh pain courses through me. But somehow, I sit still.
“This new friend is someone I care about,” Bella says. “Someone who told me there will always be critics in this world. People who are braver behind keyboards.”
“Bella,” I whisper, “it’s not the same.”
“But it is. If you broke up with Xander because you are worried about what people will say, then your advice to me was hollow.”
“Has Xander called you?” I ask, my heart pounding.
“Yes. And he’s furious. Rightfully so, I might add,” Bella says. “He didn’t have the opportunity to even talk to you face-to-face about it. You didn’t get to hear him out.”
Acid churns once again in my stomach. “Bella, it wouldn’t make a difference. Xander will say this doesn’t matter, but it does. This situation is not the same as yours. I am ruining Xander’s name and reputation. I can’t bear that.”
“Gossips are smearing his reputation,” Bella says, her eyes flashing. “You don’t know what everyone in the entire world is saying. Or how many are applauding him for following his heart. Or excited that someone like them is dating a prince.”
I remain silent. I never thought of it that way.
“It’s one thing if you don’t want this life, if you don’t want to be in the public eye, if you don’t think the sacrifice is worth it. Believe me, out of the entire family, I’m the one who understands that the most. I would understand if you chose to walk away. It would hurt me, because I already like you, but as someone who wants to run from it myself, I would respect your decision. But if you are doing this to somehow protect Xander, you’re so wrong. You’re breaking him, don’t you see that?”
A single tear rolls down my face. “I’m protecting his future.”
“He won’t have a future if his heart is destroyed,” Bella says passionately. “So you push him away. Then what? He goes back to India? Another woman like her? And he’s soulless and miserable for the rest of his life? And all the while, the press that you assume would adore the ‘right’ woman will turn on her. They will cut her like they’ve cut you. So you’ve denied yourselves love, yet you’ll end up with the same result. Would you rather be in this with him, or let him go through life with someone else and fight the same battle you would have?”
A painful gasp escapes my lips as I picture Xander with anyone other than me. I know it has to be this way, but hearing it makes it … real.
Too real.
“But it wouldn’t be as awful for him if he weren’t with me,” I protest.
“Of course, it would. They’ve attacked Clementine. They’ve gone after Liz, and she’s about as perfect for the role as it gets. Liz was born to do this. She’s smart, she’s passionate, and she’s beautiful. Yet, she has still been a victim of their hate. It doesn’t matter, don’t you see that?”
“But they went after me for wanting to bake. If I married Xander one day, I’d have to be queen. They don’t want me to have any kind of career outside of that.”
“Is this about the baking?” Bella asks softly. “That you fear you will lose it?”
“No,” I answer. “I thought losing my work would be devastating, but it’s nothing compared to this. Xander promised me he’d find a way for it to work, but you read the article—they make me sound like I’m seeking nothing but leverage for my career. I don’t want to capitalise on him or shill my work through the family—that was all lies. I just want to be able to do some of my own work. But the public will hate that. And humiliate him for it. What if it’s the beginning of the end for the monarchy?”
“But what if it’s a new way forward for the future?” Bella challenges. “And I promise you, if Xander said he would sort it out, he will. Now, would you be a full-time biscuit artist by the time you married him, if that’s where this goes? No. You would have to carry out the duties that would be expected of you. But would you be able to continue to