confident now, her nerves less sharp. Elliot greeted her with a growing ease, his grumpy demean

comment on her past. He simply observed, listened, and occas

ready in the study, his fingers resting lightly on a

early,"

ike to be early. It keep

brow. "Overthink

do it wrong,"

words. Nathaniel's gray eyes softened slightly, and Isabella felt an unfamiliar flutter i

one shoulder. He had finished his homework ahead of sch

start?"

gged. "

tching his son; he was watching her. Not in an intrusive way, but in a way

said quietly, not directing the

b," she said softly, he

t recognition. Not guilt. Not expectation. Something gentler

gued points, even teased her once. Nathaniel's lips twitched with a faint smile,

to gather her things, but Nathan

" he

tated. "

peated, soft

d two cups of tea from a silver kettle, setting one gently

a?" she

replied lightly, though his eyes were serious. "

ly. "Thoughtful

a brief second, his guarde

use. Isabella found herself noticing small details: the way his fingers rested lightly on the table, t

finally. "How comforta

replied. "He's... easy to care ab

sely, then nodded. "And y

don't hide things. I just

e," he said, though she sensed he w

o focus on her tea, but she felt h

reading people,"

enty of practice. People tend to

corner of his mouth twitch, the faint acknowled

ted off the rain-slicked streets. Isabella hugged

his attention, his quiet presence, his way of

how much it

sure no one had power over her heart again. Yet, somehow, Natha

rived at the penthouse again, slig

th a shy smile. "Can

she said, ruf

olding a stack of books. "I selected a few for

, surprised

handing her the pile. "But

s that were challenging, engaging, but also thoughtf

n months. Elliot's excitement, Nathaniel's quiet attention, it was a world f

found herself

she packed her bag slo

ssary," Nathaniel remarked, thou

here," she s

hy

ease, the way he didn't demand she be more than she was? Or that

. peaceful," sh

ied her, quiet

" he said. "Even i

up at him.

fered her a faint, enigmatic smile and turne

lla lay awake, he

something careful, something pro

herself to name

ulse quicken in a w

ealized that rebuilding her life w

about... choosi