As Isabella slowly came to, the pungent scent of antiseptic told her she was in a hospital. She kept her eyes firmly shut, feigning unconsciousness as she steeled herself for William’s impending reprimand and his inevitable tirade about her well-being.

Realizing she couldn’t maintain the pretense forever, she gathered her courage and cracked open her eyes. To her astonishment, the reality that greeted her was nothing like what she had braced herself for.

Amelia was the first to speak, settling beside Isabella with a voice heavy with both worry and relief. "Isabella, how could you take such a risk? Marching into the enemy's den by yourself was a real disaster...