Chapter 72

Mark's POV Bella pleaded, gripping my hands through the cold bars. “Then say it, I promised…I told you I’d do whatever it takes to help you.” I stared at her for a long moment. My chest felt tight, but my mind was already made up. “There’s only one way out of this,” I said quietly. She leaned closer. “What is it?” I lowered my voice. “Your brother has to be gone.” Bella froze. The color drained from her face. Slowly, she pulled back, trying to free her hands, but I held on. “What are you saying?” she whispered, shaking her head. “Are you serious right now? That’s my brother.” “You said you’d do anything,” I said, my grip tightening. “This is the price.” “No,” she breathed. “That’s not what I meant. This is different.” Her eyes filled with panic. “He’s my family, Mark. He raised me. He protected me when no one else did. I can’t even think about hurting him.” My jaw clenched. “Family?” I snapped. “That man destroyed my life without blinking. He didn’t just punish me, he erased me.” She s