Page 58 of Secret Bet

His mother continued, "Your father didn't have a heart, but youusedto."

Belle stood beside her and hugged her stomach. She had no idea howtohelp.

Then his mother finished, "Yourgirlfriend seems lovely. Tell me your name and if Peter truly caresaboutyou."

This was the second time today she had been called his girlfriend. She shook her head. "We just met, Mrs. Morgan. I'm Belle Jordan. Peter was showing me hishouse."

“You seem nice, Belle.” His mother smiled, but then stopped herself. She stared at Peter as she said, "Please call me Isabella. Peter, whereis yourfather?"

"I told you." Peter froze and stared at her from across the room. "He's dead. We buried himmonthsago."

His mother wiped her eyes and lifted her chin. "He deserved to die in misery. So what took you so long to bringmehome?"

Peter stared at Belle and then Isabella, his mom. "I thought you left us. I didn't know anything else. When I was given an expensereport, I wanted to know what merchandise Dad hadhiddenaway."

His mother stepped closer to him again. Belle wondered if she had a death wish in that moment until she said, "Peter, where are John andVictoria?"

Peter closed his eyes and massaged his chin. "Vicki's packing for her honeymoon, and John lives with his wife andchild."

His mother's eyes widened. "They aremarried?"

"With children, both of them." He turned toward a maid that stood in the next room. "Caro, have my mother's things brought into the east wing. It seems I have aguest."

"Yes, Mr.Morgan."

Did he always assume his staff was on call without having to raise his voice? The very pretty maid helped Isabella Morgan leavetheroom.

Belle pressed her lipstogether.

His mother turned from the door and walked in front of him again. "Can you call them? I want to see all my childrenagain."

"Please follow, Caro, Mom. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head aroundeverything."

"Caro, are you a Solizaswell?"

"Yes, ma'am. My mother worked here before me." His mother turned to go but then stared at Peteragain.

She steadied her shoulders.She marched toward Peter, threw her arms around him and hugged him. He didn't hug her, but he stayed still to let her brush his hair with herfingers.

Peter didn't move. He seemed stuck in that one spot. Belle came toward him again and took his hand and unwrapped his fingers. When she placed her hand in his, Peter rocked on his feet and then squeezedherhand.

Isabella Morganswallowed.

"Belle, I don't know whattodo."

"You're doinggreat."

She stared into his brown eyes. He seemed like a young boy who had just lost his mother. Her own heart melted a little, and she'dhelphim.

"Peter, relax. I'll text Colt. You call yourbrother."

Isabella followed the maid. Peter stared down the hall as his motherwalkedaway.

"My mind is in a completefog. I never thought my fatherwould..."

"Do you think he wascapable?"

"Yes."

---