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“It’s what she said. She wanted to see him. She wanted money.”

Bella’s breathing grew shallow. “So nothing about me then?”

Colson turned to Marly, who said, “Just tell her what happened. It’s what you’d want to know.”

“Just remember, you live here,” he said. “With me. That doesn’t change. Legally, she has no recourse for anything. She wanted money. Then she was surprised that he was gone. She asked about you. She wants to see you.”

Bella’s shoulders were still tense, her eyes still wary. “Then why are you telling me?”

“It’s your life. Your mother,” he said. “And you deserve to know. Am I going to let her come into this house? Absolutely not. Am I going to let her be with you alone? No. Not a shot in hell. But you need to know. You need to be prepared. I can’t hide this from you. It’s not right. And you get to have a say about seeing her. Whether or not I agree with it, we’ll see. But you still need to have a say.”

Bella stared at the floor. “She didn’t want me before,” she murmured.

Marly felt the ache in her chest.

The cold realization that insecure teens never want to face.

They didn’t fit in. They weren’t wanted. They didn’t get the love they needed.

But Bella had all those things now.

She got them with Colson.

He shifted forward until he was closer to Bella, his hand going out for hers.

The teen put her smaller one in her brother’s loosely.

That move right there made her want to burst into tears.

Just how easily Bella accepted the life she had now.

“I don’t know all the answers yet,” he admitted. “Your mom’s been out of the country for a long time. We’re still trying to figure out where she’s been and what’s going on. I can share with you what I’ve found out, but maybe you don’t want to know.”

“I want to know. Was she like Dad? Was she drunk all the time? Dad always said bad things about her.”

He blew out a breath. “She has a criminal history for all sorts of things. Nothing violent, more drug and alcohol related.”

“So just like him. And she came here for money. And when you wouldn’t give it to her, then she asked about me? Be honest, Colson.”

It was the firmness of that statement that had Colson staring his sister in the eye. “Yes. When I wouldn’t give her what she wanted, she made some threats. Loose ones. Nothing that would stand up. But that doesn’t mean she won’t or can’t cause problems. Which is why you need to be aware.”

“So you’re saying I should talk to her?” Bella asked.

“Not at all.”

“But you said I get a say.”

Marly watched the frustration slide over Colson’s face. That maybe he didn’t want to have offered that, but couldn’t take it back.

“You do.”

“Well, I don’t know if I want to. Do I have to decide now?”

“That’s okay,” he said gently. “You don’t have to decide anything tonight.”

Bella looked at him again, then down to the floor.

“But… could I?”