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I frowned. “Because that’s the point, isn’t it?”

“No, silly boy.”

I stared at her. She tucked one leg beneath herself.

“Remove yourself from the equation for a moment. I guarantee you she is scared and confused. Whatever her reasons are, they are hers and hers alone. More importantly, they are valid.” She squeezed my hand. “It’s okay to feel hurt and frustrated. Tell me, do you love her?”

“More than air, more than life.”

“Does she feel the same?”

“Before we found out, I would have said yes without hesitation.”

“Then it stands to reason she still does. Sometimes, we women can be a little confusing. I would bet underneath her fear and her confusion, she needs you. She is just trying to navigate her way through. It probably feels huge and overwhelming right now.”

“Probably didn’t help that I was over the moon excited, huh?”

“Yeah, probably not. Now let me give you some advice. If you love her like you say you do, then man up and be there for her.”

This was the second time tonight I was being told to man up. Seemed destiny and the universe was sending a clear message. Bash said I should fight for my soulmate.

Allison was telling me to be there for her. Even if the decision she was making hurt, the reality was it didn’t change my love for her.

“She needs support. Whatever that looks like, only you will know. Grieve of course, that’s healthy. Talk it out with Marcel if you have to, but don’t give up on her. It’s a delicate balance.”

“Thanks, I needed to hear that.”

We sat quietly for a while after that. Eventually, Allison reclaimed her hand and stood. I remained where I was, staring at nothing in particular. Turning over every word. Every warning. Every piece of advice.

The hurt was still there. The uncertainty too. But beneath it all, resolve had taken its place. I would give Isabella space, but ensure she knew I was still here for her.

When she was ready.

Sebastian and I stumbled in later. The house was quiet. Somewhere upstairs a door creaked, then settled. The grandfather clock in the foyer marked the hour as I made my way down the hall. I headed straight for my room. As I pushed open the door, and stepped inside, I froze.

For a moment, I simply stared in complete disbelief. Isabella was curled beneath my blankets. Moonlight spilled across the bed, painting highlights through her dark hair. One arm was tucked beneath her cheek. The other rested atop the comforter. She looked impossibly small, stretched across the mattress.

A sharp, unbearable ache clawed its way up my throat, threatening to break free. After the silent treatment, after spending the entire day worrying about her. Worrying about whether we could ever repair things. She’d come here. To my room.

I closed the door and locked it. Her beautiful face was so peaceful as she slept. I didn’t know why she’d come. Maybe she needed comfort. Maybe she couldn’t sleep. Maybe she missed me.

God, I hoped it was the last one.

In the end, it didn’t even matter. She had come. The divide between would be impossible to bridge if we stayed away from one another.

How could we ever understand each other’s perspectives that way?

I moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed. For a moment, I simply watched her sleep. The love in my heart for her was overwhelming, and yet there was a chasm of uncertainty between us.

Gently, I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. With a sigh, I changed and carefully slipped beneath the blankets.

The mattress shifted under my weight. Isabella made a soft sound in her sleep and immediately rolled toward me. The movement was instinctive. Unthinking, and as natural as breathing. My throat tightened. Even after everything. Her body still knew mine.

I wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer, breathing in the sweet scent of my girl. She fit perfectly. Like she always had.

Damn, if my bed didn’t feel warmer, more comforting with her in it. Holding her, I pushed the confusion from my mind, recalling my conversation with Allison.

My princess was struggling, and it was my job to be here for her. And even if it was just for tonight, I’d take what she was offering, as it brought a sweet sense of peace.