Bella:

I felt the air being knocked out of my lungs as I asked my mother the question. She hurriedly shut the door, then faced me, shaking her head.

"Why would you say that, Bella?" she asked, and I shrugged.

"That day in your office, when Hazel talked about things that reminded you of the past, you glanced at me. You must not like me that much, and I definitely remind you of something you want to forget," I said, watching her shut her eyes momentarily.

"I do not hate ...