~ Isabella’s POV

I stood there, frozen, as Luscious’s words hit me like a storm. The truth kept replaying in my mind, louder and louder, until I couldn’t take it anymore. My knees felt weak, my chest heavy with the weight of betrayal. Lucian—the man I trusted, the man I loved—had done this. He’d taken everything from me. My parents. My kingdom. My entire life.

“No!” I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat like a wild animal. My hands clenched into fists as anger surged through me. “No, no, no! He wouldn’t do that! He couldn’t have done that!”

“Bella, calm down,” Kate said softly, her voice shaking. She...