ISABELLA'S POV:
The next morning, the household felt quieter, but the tension beneath the surface was palpable. I woke to find Michael already up and preparing for the next move. True to his word, he had shifted much of the immediate planning to himself, determined to let me rest. But i, as always, wasn't one to sit on the sidelines for long.
As i stepped into the kitchen, i found Michael seated at the island counter, papers spread out in front of him and his laptop glowing faintly. A steaming cup of coffee sat untouched by his hand.
"You know, you're going to burn out if you keep this up," i said, my voice light but my gaze steady.
Michael looked up, startled but pleased to see me. "You're one to talk," he replied with a soft smile. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
