I knew she was gone before anyone told me.
The silence in the mansion had shifted. The halls felt hollow.And her door was open—just slightly—but enough to know she hadn't simply gone for a walk.
My pulse didn't spike.It didn't need to.
I just… knew.
I drove to the airport without thinking, without speaking, without asking questions.It was instinct.Like breathing.
When I saw her there—alone on the stairs of the jet, suitcase beside her, shoulders trembling—I didn't feel anger.
I felt fear.
And I hadn't felt fear in years.
Not since childhood.Not since the first time I understood what it meant to lose something you could never replace.
She looked so breakable standing there.Small.Like if I reached for her too fast, she might shatter.
I stepped out of the car.She opened her mouth like she was going to scream or cry or beg or fight.
And all I could say was her name.
"Isabella."
My voice came out harder than I intended.But if it had come out soft, I would have fallen apart.
On the drive back, she didn't look at me.
And I didn't look away from her.
I don't think she understands yet.She thinks this is about inheritance. About family deals. About duty.
It isn't.
It's her.
Her laugh.Her stubbornness.The way she tries to pretend she isn't hurting when she obviously is.
The way she fought me.The way she cried.
The way she ran.
You don't run from something that means nothing.You run from something that could destroy you.
I know what I felt when she left.She doesn't yet.
But she will.
When I went to her room that night, the house was asleep.The world was quiet.
She was curled up on the bed, still in that dress, hair wild, lashes clumped with tears.Beautiful in a way that hurt to look at.
I didn't think.
I just lay behind her and pulled her into me.
My arm around her waist.My face buried in her neck.Her warmth against mine.
She stiffened when she woke.I felt her heartbeat jump beneath my hand.
She whispered my name like she wasn't sure she was allowed to say it.
And that was it.That was the moment.
The moment I knew I would burn the world down before I let her go.
"You are mine," I whispered.Not a warning.Not possession.
Truth.
I felt her breathing change.I felt her anger soften just enough for pain to show through.
I kissed her neck because I needed to feel her.Because I needed to remind her she wasn't alone in this.
"I won't lose you," I said.
Not to fear.Not to circumstance.Not to fate.
Not even to herself.
She didn't answer.
But she didn't pull away.
So I held her until sleep claimed her again.Her back to my chest.My hand over her heart.
Where it belongs.