"It's time for us to leave." Isabella called out to Casmir and Adrian.
They started toward their horses, as Isabella's eyes swept over the ruins of the village that lay before them, a haunting reminder of the devastation Casmir had wrought. The scent of burning wood and despair hung heavily in the air, and Isabella's heart felt heavy as she prepared to leave with Casmir and Adrian.
"Wait, you can't be serious." Alexander's words stopped them in their tracks, still clutching his injured jaw.
Alexander's thoughts raced at the thought of her leaving, his actions would reflect the obsessive and possessive nature that had always lurked beneath the surface. He stepped forward, desperation in his eyes, and pleaded with Isabella to reconsider.
"Isabella, please," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation. "You can't trust him. There's no guarantee he won't plot something else in the future. Only with you being by my side would you truly be safe."
