**ISABELLA'S POV**

I didn't want to talk about yesterday. Just not now

Not about my father, his cruel words echoing in my mind, his callous disregard for my feelings.

Not about Valentina, her manipulative schemes, her relentless attempts to undermine my happiness.

Not about any of it, the chaos, the anger, the unraveling of everything I held dear.

I shouldn't have come back. I should have just accepted Lukas. Or better, I shouldn't have accepted the job my father said he got for me.

When Mateo tried to bring it up in the morning while I was getting ready, his voice gentle and concerned, I simply shook my head, my...