The sun rose like a soft whisper, spilling golden light across the cabin walls and pooling gently over the tangled sheets. For a moment, Isabella didn’t move. She lay perfectly still, her breath quiet against Dante’s chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear — strong, steady, alive. The world outside felt far away, like it had been left behind on some other shore.

Dante stirred beside her, his hand finding her waist without even opening his eyes, drawing her closer. She smiled faintly, eyes still closed. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no running, no blood pounding from fear or chaos...