I flinched.“That’s not what I did.”
Mom wiped her hands on a towel and leaned against the counter, finally giving me her full attention.“Saint,” she said gently, “Belle is not used to anyone stepping in.”
“I know,” I muttered.
“She doesn’t have family,” Mary added.“She has herself, and that’s it.No one else makes decisions for her.”
That hit deeper than I wanted it to.
I stared at the floor again.“I wasn’t trying to control her.”
“I know you weren’t,” Mom said, softer now.“But can you understand why she feels like you did?”
My jaw tightened.I could understand it.I didn’t like it, but I understood.
Belle had built her entire life around being the one who handled things.The one who fixed messes.The one who didn’t ask for help because help always came with strings.
And then I’d walked into her world and cut the string she’d been holding onto without asking.
Mom sighed and reached out.“You’ve got a good heart,” she said.“But you forget sometimes that pride is how some people survive.”
I swallowed hard.“I didn’t do it for pride.”
Mom nodded.“I know.You did it because you care.”
I looked at her.“So why is she acting like I ruined her life?”
Mom’s mouth twisted in a sad smile.“Because she finally trusted you enough to let you close,” she said.“And then you reminded her that men make decisions without her.”
My chest tightened.“I never wanted to be that.”
Mom patted my arm.“Then don’t be.”
I blew out a breath.“What do I do?”
Mom’s gaze was steady.“You apologize,” she said simply.“And you don’t apologize like a man trying to win.You apologize like a man who understands he crossed a line.”
I nodded slowly.I could do that.
“I already tried to call,” I said.
Mom snorted.“Calling isn’t the same as showing up.”
“I’m going to,” I said.
“Good,” Mary replied.Then she pointed a finger at me.“And you do not,” she warned, “show up with a speech about how you were right.”
My mouth twitched.“I wasn’t going to.”
Mom raised an eyebrow like she didn’t believe me.
I pushed off the counter.“I’m going.”
Mom nodded once, satisfied.“Go,” she said.“And remember, Belle isn’t mad because you helped.She’s mad because you didn’t trust her enough to tell her.”
That hit me straight in the gut.
I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door.
