I often found myself questioning why I was so determined to protect Bella at all costs. It turned out that the name I had given her belonged to her mother.
As hard as it may seem to believe, Bella was the red-haired girl who had saved Zach. It was unfortunate for him, and instead of feeling happy about it as it aligned with my plans, I felt rather sorry for him.
If Bella was truly responsible for Iris's murder, then the good she had done for our family would have been repaid, and in that scenario, Zach would not have the right to pursue her and should let her live freely.
However, if her innocence was proven, Zach would be in trouble, and I didn't want that for him, even though he had gone too far by breaking her spirit, causing her to want nothing to do with him.
