Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 180

Tyler almost blurted out the truth about who he really was to Bella, but in the end, he held his tongue.

He was here today for one reason only: to clear things up with Emilia about Christian. He didn't want any unnecessary complications.

Watching Bella glance around with those big, wary eyes, clearly searching for a way to slip away, Tyler quickly reassured her, "Don't be scared. I'm not a bad guy, I promise."

But Bella was obviously ready to bolt.

Tyler tried again, his voice softer. "I used to have a child, you know..." As he spoke, a flash of memory hit him—Emilia, bloodied, trembling in his arms and sobbing.

"But the child is gone now. And when I see you, it reminds me of them."

"I'm sorry if I scared you," he added gently. "I only wanted you to draw me because... you made me remember them."

Maybe it was something in his voice, or maybe she sensed his sincerity, but Bella paused and studied him intently. Then, instead of running, she reached out and patted the back of his hand in a small, comforting gesture.

Tyler almost laughed at the absurdity of it—a little girl, her tiny hand soft and warm against his much larger one, trying to comfort him. Yet, somehow, it worked. He, Tyler, was being consoled by a child.

And, surprisingly, he didn't mind it one bit.

"But I still can't draw you," Bella piped up just as Tyler was basking in the comfort. "I'm a person with principles, you know."

He couldn't help but smile. Did she even understand what principles meant at her age? The more he talked to her, the more interesting he found her.

"Did she teach you that?" he asked, unable to resist.

Bella placed her drawing on the table and calmly continued coloring. "My mom taught me a lot of things," she replied offhandedly.

"But you haven't known her that long, have you?" Tyler pressed, curious.

Without looking up, Bella answered, "But my mom is nice to everyone. Not just me—Mr. Donovan, Miss Joyce, too."

She brightened suddenly, a wide smile spreading across her face. "But she's even nicer to her own people. Like, she's really good to me. Even though I still can't bring myself to call her 'mom' to her face, she understands, you know? She takes me to the doctor, buys me things, makes sure I get to go to school."

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