My Convicted Wife is My Mate (Bella and Kane) novel Chapter 11

chapter 11-1
BELLA’S POV

The silence after his hand hit me was deafening.

I stumbled back, hitting the edge of the table before crashing to the floor.

My cheek burned. I felt a painful sting spreading across my skin. For a moment, I couldn’t even breathe.

My father… had slapped me.

I looked up with my hand pressed against my face. Honestly, I was more shocked than hurt. The man standing before me felt like a stranger.

My stepmother shook her head. Her eyes burned into me. “You bring shame everywhere you go.”

The disgust in her tone made my chest ache. I should have been used to it by then, but this... this hurt more than I could explain.

Kathy laughed softly, leaning back in her chair. “Careful, Father. She might cry. She’s always been so good at playing the victim.”

Her words hit harder than the slap.

I stared at them—at the people who were supposed to be my family. The people I once protected, loved, and sacrificed everything for. They looked down at me with disgust, as if I were some stain they couldn’t wash off.

My father growled in anger. “You come here, talking as if we owe you anything? You’re nothing but a disgrace, Bella.”

My chest tightened.

“I went to prison for her,” I whispered, glaring at Kathy. “For you. I took the blame so this family wouldn’t be destroyed. And you—you slept with my mate.”

Kathy folded her arms, smiling smugly. “You always did have a talent for melodrama. Maybe that’s why Damien got bored.”

I felt my stomach twist. “You ruined me.”

My stepmother’s voice snapped. “You ruined yourself. You brought shame to our name. You should be grateful we even let you in this house.”

My father’s hand slammed on the table again, making the dishes rattle. “The only good thing you ever did, Bella, was being mated to Damien. He gave this family a bit of respect before you threw it away.”

I stared at him. It felt like there was a lump in my throat. He was right. When I had been with Damien, that was the only time my father ever looked at me with pride. Back then, being his daughter had meant something. The moment Damien left, so did my father’s affection.

Tears blurred my vision.

“You’re wrong,” I whispered. I forced myself to stand even though my legs were shaking. “I didn’t ruin anything. I gave up everything for this family, and you still hate me.”

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