Her past

After sometime Lucas cleared his throat, breaking the stillness. "Bella... can I ask you something?"

She turned to him, nodding softly. "Of course."

"What was your childhood like?" he asked, his voice careful, as though he didn't want to pry too deeply.

Bella hesitated, but there was something in his gaze that encouraged her to open up. "It wasn't easy," she began, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "I lost my parents when I was five. They died in a car accident."

Lucas's expression softened, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. "I'm sorry. That must have been so hard for you."

"It was," she admitted. "But I was lucky. My mom's best friend, Gabrielle, took me in. She runs an orphanage, and she treated me like her own daughter. She gave me a home, a sense of belonging."

"She sounds like an amazing person," Lucas said.

"She is," Bella said with a small smile. "I stayed at the orphanage until I turned 18. Gabrielle supported me as much as she could, but I knew I had to stand on my own. So, I left to study and worked part-time jobs to make ends meet."

Lucas leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on her. "That must have taken a lot of strength."

"It did," Bella admitted, her voice quiet. "But I think... losing my parents and growing up in an orphanage taught me how to survive. It's why I could take care of Rachel when she came into my life. Gabrielle showed me what love and compassion look like, and I wanted to give that to someone else."

Lucas smiled, a genuine warmth in his expression. "You've been through so much, yet you've built this life for yourself.... and for Rachel. That's incredible, Bella."

She looked away, a little overwhelmed by his praise. "What about you? What was your childhood like?"

Lucas hesitated, his jaw tightening briefly before he spoke. "It was... different. My parents are wonderful people. Loving, supportive. But our world wasn't always kind. I had to grow up fast, learn how to protect myself and my family."

"Protect them from what?" Bella asked, frowning slightly.

He paused, choosing his words carefully. "From the things that come with power and wealth. Let's just say my family's life hasn't always been simple."

Bella nodded, sensing there was more to his story but deciding not to push. "It sounds like you carry a lot on your shoulders."

"I do," Lucas admitted. "But I don't mind it. It's what I've always known. And now... with you, Rachel, and the baby... it feels like I have something real to fight for."

The honesty in his words took her by surprise, and for a moment, all she could do was look at him. "Thank you," she said finally. "For being here. For listening."

"Always," Lucas replied, his voice steady. "You're not alone in this, Bella. Not anymore."

The silence that followed wasn't heavy this time. It was comfortable, a shared understanding passing between them. And as they sat there, side by side, Bella realized that maybe, just maybe, she could trust him with her heart.