~ Isabella’s POV

Luscious exchanged a glance with Elias, who gave him a subtle nod. My heart thudded in my chest as I watched the exchange. There was an unspoken weight in the room, something simmering beneath the surface that I could feel but didn’t yet understand. My fingers curled into fists as I braced myself for whatever was coming next.

Luscious shifted his gaze to me, his expression unreadable yet intense. He stood tall, his arms crossed over his chest, and took a deep breath as if preparing himself. “Bella,” he began, his voice calm but laced with determination, “there’s something you need to know. Something we’ve been working...