My Convicted Wife is My Mate (Bella and Kane) novel Chapter 47

chapter 40
Bella’s POV

Jane continued to stare at me, blinking like an owl caught in daylight. I could almost smell the fear coming off her, even without my wolf. I tightened my grip on the broom and looked at her calmly.

“If there’s nothing else,” I said calmly, “I still have to work.”

Her lips trembled like she wanted to say something, but I didn’t wait. I walked past her to the other side of the road and started sweeping again.

When she finally left, I let out a huge sigh of relief. The whole mess at the reunion felt like a scar that hadn’t fully healed. I wanted to forget Derek’s hands, the crowd’s laughter, the humiliation. But some memories couldn’t be washed away.

A shadow crossed my path, and for a heartbeat, I thought Jane had come back. But when I looked up, it was Justin. He was holding his hat, folding the rim nervously.

“Bella,” he said softly,

"Hi" I said, smiling at him.

He looked at the ground. He looked nervous. His mouth parted and closed like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to. I was about to ask what the problem was when he finally spoke up.

“Jasmine told me… you don’t want to be in love right now. But… I’m sincere. I’m willing to wait for you. When you’re ready, I’ll still be here.”

He paused, scratching the back of his neck. “I mean… not that you have to come looking for me. I’ll wait in line if I have to.”

I blinked repeatedly. I was unsure what to say.

“Justin,” I said quietly, “you should find someone better. Someone who fits your world. I don’t earn much, my job isn’t stable, and I’m… not exactly good wife material.”

He shook his head. “But I like you.”

The sincerity in his voice made me sigh. He was kind, too kind for someone like me.

Before I could reply, a familiar, deep voice cut through the air behind me.

“Sister, won’t you introduce us?”

I froze. My heart stuttered.

Kane.

When I turned around, he was walking toward me with that slow, steady confidence that always seemed to draw every eye in the room.

He was dressed plainly in a black down jacket—but on him, they looked like they were made for a runway. He looked amazing.

He wasn’t supposed to look that good in discount clothes.

For a moment, it felt like he was walking in slow motion. My heart tripped over itself. I hated that I noticed the way his eyes locked on mine intensely.

“This is my colleague, Justin,” I managed to say quickly. “Justin, meet Kane. Kane… why are you here?”

“I finished work early,” he said.

He took my left hand. His thumb drew circles over my skin. “Your hand is cold.”

My breath caught. His palm was warm, too warm—and rough. It was the kind of warmth that seeped into your bones.

“It’s fine,” I mumbled, trying to pull back, but he didn’t let go right away.

Justin watched, frowning slightly. “Bella… is this your brother?”

“Yes,” I said. “My brother.”

Kane looked at Justin, then lazily wrapped an arm around my waist.

My breath hitched. His grip was firm, almost possessive. Heat curled low in my stomach. I could feel the strength in his hand.

“When do you finish work?” he murmured near my ear. I could feel his breath against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

“In half an hour,” I managed. “I just need to finish sweeping this stretch of road.”

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll wait.”

“Bella!” she cried, nearly stumbling. “Please, please forgive me. I can’t lose my job. It’s all I have left. You have to help me! Tell the director you forgave me. Tell him to cancel the dismissal!”

I blinked, stunned. “You’re mistaken. I don’t have that kind of power, Jane. I don’t even know your director. I had nothing to do with your firing.”

“That’s impossible!” she yelled. “You’re the only one I offended! Who else could it be? Could it be that Damien saw you like that and couldn’t bear it and now he’s avenging you? Is that it?”

Her words hit me like a slap. Damien.

For a long moment, I couldn’t breathe. Memories flooded back. I remembered his cold eyes, the betrayal, the way he turned away while Derek…

“No, Jane,” I said finally. “Damien Silverwood isn’t protecting me. He helped destroy me.”

She stared at me, confused, but I kept going.

“He’s not punishing you to defend me. I’m nothing to him. Whatever’s happening to you, it’s not because of me.”

Jane looked like she was about to cry.

“You have to fix this! I’m begging you,” she pleaded.

I laughed quietly, shaking my head. “Fix it? You humiliated me, Jane. You stood by and watched while I was mocked and nearly drowned. And now you want my help?”

Before she could respond, a low voice echoed behind us.

“Is something wrong here?”

I turned, and Kane was standing beside me.

The shift in the air was immediate. Jane stepped back. Her pulse was visible at her throat. Kane didn’t raise his voice, but his presence alone silenced everything.

I could feel the power rolling off him.

And just like that, Jane looked smaller, weaker.