a didn'

tion room, the air rushed back into her lun

hoving them into her bag with far less care than usual b

ve.

one at that and if she didn't act fast, she would lose the

nto the crowd in the main ballroom. The music was louder now and the laughter bri

idor because using the main doors would make it too obvious and too risky. S

ose behind her, stoppin

stood a few feet away. They had polite expressi

you?" one o

y. "I was just looki

." The man responde

nk you." Isabella said

. There has to be more than one exit and other ways out. She tried an

in suits, all watching and waiting. The realization hit her lik

sed after her, because he didn't need

er chest rising and falling slowly as the truth settled in. She wasn't t

han it needs to be." A soft

her eyes briefly

ay, his expression calm, his posture rela

ack subtly, creating space and g

her chin slightly. "I'm working." her vo

me" he replied, as he walked towa

ou don't get to j

want," he cut in quietly a

every detail of her face, as if c

ed his eyes

said, with no anger in his

explanation or trace. And now you walk

was invited."she said

usement passed

u think this is?

d his head slightly and gave a silent signal. The guards straig

ordered making Isabe

losed, boss," one

eplied, his gaze

just trap me here."Isabella

ed up until her back hit the cold marbl

get that chance again." His voice dropped

d," she whispered, her heart poundi

o's lips curved slightly

touch her but he didn't. Instead, he turned a

." The words echoed

and before she could react,

he screamed as she

ugh her veins because that was exactly what she had feared, exactly w

uggling now. "Loren

t simply walked away as if it was alrea

oing back to her quiet life. She remembered Matteo and her chest tightened painfully, the one thing she had b

yes stung with tears, five years ago, she had escaped by a miracle.

a had no intention