ISABELLA
The world outside the townhouse felt too big, too loud, too cold.
But inside Adrian’s arms, everything was quiet.
He carried me out of Umbra Court like I weighed nothing, one arm under my knees, the other around my back, holding me against his chest as if he was afraid I might disappear if he loosened his grip even a little. I didn’t protest. I couldn’t. My body felt like it belonged to someone else — numb, trembling, hollowed out.
But my hands…
My hands refused to let go of him.
They were fisted in his coat, clinging to him with a desperation I didn’t even try to hide. My cheek was pressed against his chest, right over his heartbeat — steady, strong, grounding. The only thing in the world that felt real.
Enzo’s voice still echoed in my head.
“We never finished what we sta
