Isabella's sobbing grew louder, her grief almost unbearable to witness. Unable to stand it any longer, Orion pulled her to her feet, his hands firm but not unkind.
Despite her tears, Isabella's beauty remained unblemished. Decades as his mistress had not dulled her allure; if anything, her sorrow only added to her tragic charm. For nearly forty years, she had been his companion, a de facto wife in all but name. Seeing her so broken stirred something in Orion's heart, but he quickly reined it in. His judgment remained cold and calculating.
"Now, calm yourself," he said firmly. "I'm aware you sent assassins to Crassus Barony. That's enough. Stop this now. Remember, you still have three sons left. And don't forget, I have other children besides yours."
Isabella's tear-streaked face shot up in shock at the subtle but unmistakable warning in his tone. While Orion wasn't inherently cruel, he was not a man who tolerated anyone crossing the line.
