~ Isabella’s POV

As I stumbled down the road with my suitcase, feeling defeated, tired, and unsure of where to turn, I realized I had nowhere to go. The palace, which had felt like my home, had been taken over by Victoria's spiteful plans, and I wasn’t even sure if Lucian would return in time to make things right. The thought of staying in a hotel crossed my mind, but with everything I’d been through, the idea of being alone in a strange room just didn’t sit well with me.

Just then, a small restaurant caught my eye. It was a cozy, homely-looking place with warm lights shining through the...