he gear shift, occasionally brushing hers, a silent, tentative gesture that made her heart skip each time. She glanced over at hi

t neither of them had dared to voice until now. Finally

to try this again, things have to be different." She turned to fac

he car stopped. He met her gaze, his dark eyes softer than she'd ever seen them. "I know," he replied, his voice low and rough

utiful. This was the man she had glimpsed so briefly, hidden behind his walls

whispered. "Show me that y

the weight of it, the silent promise he was making. They sat there for a moment, hands intertwined,

re time at home, and even accompanied her to events he'd once dismissed as "unnecessary social obligations." He was quieter, more conte

et down his glass of wine and looked at her intently. "Ther

kip, her pulse quick

ore speaking. "Alessa reached out rece

er chest, but she steadied

I'm choosing you." His gaze softened, his hand reaching across the table to cover hers. "I've been a fool, Isabella. I

hed it away, a small, hopeful smile tugging at her lips.

that sent a shiver down her spine. "I'm sorry for all the pain I put you through. I

ething new-a fragile, unsteady foundation, but one they were both finally wi

le. "Not as strangers or as husband and wife bound by dut

e, his gaze holding a warmth that was unmistak

family legacy, the expectations he'd always felt burdened by. In turn, she shared her own dreams, the parts of herself she'd kept hidden in the shadows of his life. They la

hand resting on her stomach in a gesture so intimate it to

ing from her lips before she could stop them. She fe

"I love you too, Isabella," he murmured, his voice soft, almost reverent. "And

ounds of the past were still there, faint scars that would never fully fade, but for the first time, she felt whol

fought so hard to find. And as they drifted into sleep, their hands intertwined, Isabella knew that whatever challenges lay