AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
Zavier stepped forward this time with no hesitation.
"You keep acting like you were first." He said, voice steady but tight. "But I was there before all this system garbage. Before routes, before reincarnations." His hand found mine again, grounding, familiar. "I grew up with her. I knew Bella before this world rewrote her."
Bella, the name landed heavy. Familiar, human. The cafe went quiet. Terrence didn't interrupt, he simply watched.
'You talk like you own some deeper history. But you didn't know her like I did."Zavier's jaw flexed.
A long pause, then Terrence smiled faintly. Not mocking, not cruel. Almost nostalgic.
"You knew her as Bella." He said calmly.
"Yes."Zavier stiffened.
"I knew her before she ever became Bella."Terrence's gaze shifted to me fully.
Silence snapped across the room. Aiden inhaled sharply. Wanessa blinked.
"What does that even-" Wanessa blinked.
Terrence's voice remained steady.
