LOGINIsabella Elias leaves not long after breakfast.He’s still laughing about something Mia said as he grabs his things, shaking his head while heading toward the door. “I need to change before work,” he mutters, slipping on his shoes before glancing back at us. “Try not to interrogate her too much,” he adds, pointing lazily at Mia.“I’m not interrogating,” Mia shoots back, though the grin on her face says otherwise.“You were,” I mutter, crossing my arms.Elias just laughs again before stepping out, leaving the door closing softly behind him.The house quiets down after that.Mia stays sprawled on the couch, one arm draped over her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere today,” she groans. “I still feel like the room is spinning.”“Then don’t,” I reply, already heading back to the room to get ready. “Just rest.”“Gladly.”I don’t say anything else as I start preparing for work, moving around the room, picking out clothes, fixing my hair—trying to fall back into routine.Normal.But every now and
Isabella I wake up slowly, my eyes still half-closed as I reach for the blanket instinctively. The room is quiet, dim, and for a moment everything feels normal—until the memory of last night crashes back all at once.My eyes open completely.I stay still for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling while my heart starts beating faster for no reason. The kitchen. His hands. The way he said my name like he meant every single letter of it.I press my lips together and turn my head slightly.Mia is still asleep beside me, curled up like nothing happened in the world. A soft breath escapes me as I sit up slowly, rubbing my face. “I barely slept,” I mutter under my breath, glancing at the time on my phone.Still early.Too early.Probably two hours of sleep at most.But somehow, I don’t even feel that tired. If anything, there’s this strange excitement sitting in my chest, and I already know why. Gabriel.I push the blanket aside and quietly step out of bed, careful not to wake Mia. The floor
Isabella “And that distracted you?” he asks, one brow lifting slightly as he glances up at me.I don’t answer, only tighten my grip on the edge of the counter for a second before looking away, which earns a quiet, knowing huff of amusement from him as he continues picking up the broken glass like he’s already proven his point.By the time he finishes, the kitchen light is already on, the space brighter now, the mess completely gone like it never even happened. He straightens, tossing the last piece into the bin before glancing at me again. “Sit,” he says, nodding toward the couch.“I’m fine,” I start, but the look he gives me—calm, firm, not asking—makes the rest of the words die in my throat. I exhale softly and walk back anyway, lowering myself onto the couch while he turns the light off again, leaving the house dim and quiet once more.I don’t realize I’ve been watching him the entire time until he walks back toward me.He stops in front of me, his gaze dropping to my hands. “Did
Isabella Sleep doesn’t come.I turn to one side, then the other, pulling the blanket up before kicking it down again. After a while, I let out a quiet breath and stare at the ceiling, pressing a hand against my forehead. “This is ridiculous,” I mutter softly, shifting again, but the restlessness doesn’t leave.Because he’s here.That thought alone is enough to keep my mind awake.I sit up after what feels like forever, glancing at the clock beside my bed. “Two in the morning,” I whisper under my breath, letting out a small sigh before swinging my legs off the bed. “Great.”If I’m not sleeping, I might as well do something.The house is quiet as I make my way to the kitchen, the soft sound of my footsteps echoing faintly in the stillness. I pour myself a glass of milk, leaning lightly against the counter as I take a small sip, but my attention drifts almost immediately toward the living room.I hesitate for a second, then shake my head slightly. “I’m just checking,” I murmur, like I n
Isabella The moment I settle on his lap, I regret it almost immediately.Gabriel’s hand comes up to my waist without hesitation, steady and familiar, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I try to keep my expression neutral, eyes forward, ignoring the way Mia and Elias are already laughing across the table.“Relax,” Mia says with a grin, leaning back against her seat, clearly entertained. “It’s just a minute.”I shift slightly, trying to get comfortable—Then I freeze.The movement only makes me more aware of him.My breath catches, and for a split second, I stop moving altogether. Heat creeps up my neck as realization settles in, and I can feel Gabriel go still behind me—just for a fraction of a second.He noticed.Of course he did.I try to adjust again, more carefully this time, but it doesn’t help. If anything, it makes everything worse.A quiet breath leaves him before he leans in, his lips brushing close to my ear.“I think someone missed you,” he murmurs, his voice lo
Isabella The moment we step inside—I know this isn’t the kind of place Gabriel described.Not even close.The bar is dimly lit, but not in a relaxed, cozy way. It’s polished. Sleek. Every surface looks expensive—from the marble bar counter to the velvet seating arranged in clean, intentional sections. Low ambient music hums through the space, just loud enough to fill the silence but not enough to drown conversations.People are dressed well.Too well for something “casual.”Tailored suits. Designer dresses. Effortless, curated.I pause for half a second, taking it all in.This is not a chill bar.This is the kind of place where people come to be seen.Of course.I glance sideways at Gabriel as we walk further inside.He doesn’t even look around.Like he’s been here a hundred times.Before I can say anything—a staff member approaches us almost immediately.“Good evening, Mr. Thorne,” he greets politely, giving a slight nod toward Gabriel. “Your table is ready.”I blink.Your table?
IsabellaThere are memories that don’t fade no matter how much time passes. They don’t soften. They don’t dull. They wait—quietly, patiently—until something cracks you open enough for them to rush back in.Like now.The music in the ballroom blurred into background noise as I moved away from the da
IsabellaThe vineyard had always felt like breathing to me.Not effortless—but necessary.The air that morning was crisp, carrying the faint sweetness of ripening grapes and damp earth. Rows of vines stretched endlessly ahead, green and disciplined, soaking up the early light. This was where my tho
Isabella Lunch stretched longer than any of us expected.Plates were cleared, then replaced with coffee, then dessert that Mia insisted on ordering “for morale.” The window beside us framed the vineyard road in warm afternoon light, dust floating lazily in the air as trucks passed by in the distan
Isabella I woke up to the quiet hum of machines and the unfamiliar weight of stillness pressing against my chest. My first instinct was panic—my hand flew to my stomach, breath hitching as I waited for pain that didn’t come.A soft knock sounded before the door opened.Gabriel was already there.H







